Boise Trip Highlights

I was more than excited to finally get to meet my newest Elkins-family niece!  I was glad to catch some holding time before she hit 1 year old, though I would have loved to have met her sooner.  She was so great--she was friendly to me the moment I walked into her home!  I fell in love with her immediately (oh wait, I was already in love with her, just from seeing her photos the past year).  I hope to hold her again soon!  She has the sweetest personality.

Both my niece and nephew here were so much fun to be around.  I love how everyone in our family keeps ending up with the greatest kids in the world : ).

I got to spend a fun afternoon with these two nieces, just the three of us.  They have great personalities too!  I love feeling like I'm "buddies" with them, even though we don't get to see each other often.

Here we are enjoying the guys' softball game...I was so glad to finally get to attend one of these fun games that I always heard about.  Our team is made up almost exclusively of my brothers, cousins, and uncles.  So it was really fun to cheer for them!  (I'm not sure why, but I often felt like I was the only one screaming and shouting for the team...but as an outsider, I guess I just don't know how things are done there...)

My beautiful sisters-in-law and those 2 great kids again...what I wouldn't give to get to hang out with them all the time!!!

Some of the team and some of the fans--all members of my family : ).  I was so glad that even Grandma was able to be there for a quick visit!

The guy on the right is the only non-family member, though he is a friend of the family, and is currently helping my parents to relocate from Nevada to Boise!  (Lucky them!)

I just love this picture.  And...you gotta love their pants.

3 amigos

Staying with my brother Clark's family was a FABULOUS time for me.  I would love to do it every year!

See what I mean?  Buddies. : )

On my way home, I lucked out with a 2 1/2 hour layover in Salt Lake City, so I got to see the rest of my siblings there!!  We had a fun visit.  I think one of the highlights was introducing Bryan to Kid History.  He was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.  I loved seeing Angela's little baby bump, and Ellis was cool to bring some of his awesome sketchbooks to share with me (he's a talented artist).  But best of all, I loved the HUGS.

I didn't get to see all of the little Utah nephews (I don't have any Utah nieces yet on my side of the family), but it was exciting to see this guy, my oldest Utah nephew!  He had a fancy moonwalk and MJ impression to show off (this is the Thriller pose).  Cute boy!

I LOVED my trip!  I was happy to come home when it was time though.  As much as I love everyone in these pictures, I love the family in my own home even more.  Thank heavens for breaks, but I belong with these guys over here in PA ; ).

The Falling Part: David the Mormon

Journal Entry, 16 November 1985: 

There is a boy in the classroom next to mine at school that is really cute.  His name is David.  He has red hair, freckles, he is tall, and he is Morman!  I was suprised when I found out he was a Morman although he had the personality of a Morman.             Jenny -n- David
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"You're a Mormon?!" I responded with astonishment to my new sixth-grade friend.  I had no idea there were other kids who shared my faith at school.  In my hometown of Fallbrook, California, Mormon friends seemed few and far-between, and seemed to only be found at our meetings on Sundays. 

We were playing a casual game of Four Square on the playground during recess at La Paloma Elementary school, when this discovery created a spark and started the wheels in my head a-turning. 

As if his red hair and freckles (which incidentally resembled my own) weren't enough to turn my attention into affection, his announcement of sharing my faith was the clincher.

You see, at an early age my faith became very central to who I was becoming as a young person.  My parents were both active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, and together they did all that they could to share the blessings of membership with their children.  And I couldn't have been happier with this religious upbringing.

Knowing another Mormon friend could mean having common goals, common interests, and common experiences.  Each Sunday I looked forward to learning about Jesus and his gospel and all that his plan of happiness presented for my life.  I especially enjoyed the 2 hours spent with the other Primary children ages 12 and under where we had activities, lessons, and sang song after song.  Indeed, I found singing and the gospel to be one of my most favorite combinations (and even into my adulthood, I still feel the same way).

Although I knew of very few other Mormons at my school, if any, there did happen to be enough of them in our city of Fallbrook to form more than one congregation, which may explain why I had never seen David at church. 

David didn't seem to care much about the connection.  Oh well.  That didn't stop me from imagining our future together!  Not only could I envision being his girlfriend from now on (unbeknownst to him, that is...and I was willing to wait until he came around to the idea), but someday I could even be his wife.

What?!  How many nine-year-old girls are there who are having dreams about marriage already?  Well, I was one of those. 

It turns out, I have such a limited memory of young David outside of that day when I found out he was a Mormon, that it's clear he never came around to the idea of spending eternity with me.  Overall, I didn't spend too much time falling for David beyond the playground-time conversations, with one exception.

The final memory I have of my togetherness with David the Mormon is that we got to share a scene in our school play together.  He was Ebenezer Scrooge, and I was the Ghost of Christmas Past.

"Do you recollect the way?" was the line that I tenderly spoke to him on the stage, in front of all of our proud parents.

It's funny to think now that the terms "recollect" and "the little red-haired girl Jenny" from his sixth-grade year are two things that most likely do not go hand in hand for David.

The Falling Part: Ricky Schroder

My first encounter with the actual falling part of love did not happen as much in isolation as did the classroom love-note incident.   But like that initiation experience, this next step towards love did begin in school, just the same.  

"Ricky Schroder?  Who's he?" I asked my girlfriends at the elementary school. 

He was to be the love of my life for the next few years, that's who. 

I was eight, he was thirteen, and he was the new young heart throb acting the part of Rick Stratton on the  evening TV series Silver Spoons.  My girlfriends at school introduced me to him (or to the show, that is)... and as soon as I managed to find the right channel and the right program, it was love at first sight.

I'll admit I started falling for him partly because my friends had fallen first, but there was no need to ask me twice if he was everything I had hoped he would be.

There was no one else on earth as dreamy as Ricky!  His silky blond hair, his glowing smile, his puppy dog eyes... his charm, his talent... even my parents could see it.  I mean, they fully supported me in this crush.  I remember the night Dad let us interrupt our family goings-on in the living room one night so we could turn the TV on as he announced to the rest in the room, "We need to let Jenny get her Ricky fix."

And he's one who just got better and better looking with every new teen magazine article and clipping that I could find.  It wasn't long before I had a collage of his photos on my wall.  

To say that my parents backed me up on this crush was a happy boost, but unfortunately I can't say the same for the rest of my family.

Truthfully, my older brother Bryan probably couldn't have cared less, and my younger four siblings probably could have left it all alone...except for that one fateful day when my four-year-old brother Russell took action, against his better judgement.

Was he mad at me?  Was he jealous that this rich and famous blond celebrity took photographic precedence on my wall, over himself--my equally adorable blond little brother?  Was he bored and seeking my emotional breakdown strictly for entertainment?  No one knows, but Mom definitely disciplined him for the dreadful deed:  he had put lipstick on Ricky's face, on one of my favorite wall hangings.  It was just a tiny bit, on Ricky's lips.  But sadly it was ruined, and I was in tears.  

Eventually my heart healed from this catastrophe, and further down the road, Ricky's place in my heart was no longer fully encompassing.  His pictures came down one by one, or so I suppose...I don't actually remember getting rid of those photos.  Why didn't I save such sentimental keepsakes?  Perhaps it was only to make room for my next celebrity crush a few years later...or rather, I should say my first music group crush.  But before the new posters came up (of New Kids on the Block, in case you were wondering), I'm glad to report that I did manage to make room in my heart for a couple of real-life people.

The Falling Part: Prologue

Did you know that I'm writing a book?  I am!  I'm so excited about attempting a new kind of creative project that I've never done before.  I have so many talented author friends that inspire me, and I feel eager to try my hand at what they enjoy so much.  I wanted to share with you a little bit of what I've written so far.  Any feedback is welcome : )!

It may be unusual to choose a book's title so early on in the game, but I've already chosen my title:

The Falling Part.

Here goes! (P.S.  The stories in my book are actual true memories from my grand and glorious love life, starting with my very first love-memory.  I hope you enjoy it!)

Prologue

"The funny thing about falling in love, is the falling part.  It's not quite the same as landing in love, or being in love.  Every inch forward is an unfamiliar one, and if you're lucky enough to fall more than once, you'll realize that you land in a completely different place every time."

----

The setting is fuzzy, but the feelings and the main event are very clear in my bank full of falling-in-love memories.

The room must have been about the same as anyone else's public first grade classroom: there were probably 20 desks, filled with boys and girls who were busy practicing their writing or coloring skills, and we were getting awfully good at staying in our seats and minding our teacher when she required our focus and attention.

But this moment was different for me.  I was not focusing on the assignment at hand; I had a more important matter to address.

There was a feeling being born in me.  I had an idea of what to do with it, and the time had come for me to entertain ideas such as this one.

My idea?  What to do with this new feeling?  I would write a love note.  Yes, that's what people do when they have this feeling!

Was I feeling love?  Certainly not.  But I was feeling a first-grader's version of curiosity about love, and I was ready to embark on my journey.

So I wrote in my little six-year-old handwriting, "I love you," and I looked around the room to see who the lucky recipient would be.  I hadn't determined that in advance, so it took me a minute or so to decide.

Then I spotted him, sitting across the room.  I waited until everyone was distracted with whatever it was that I probably should have been working on, and I sneaked over to his desk and handed it to him.

I don't remember his name, I don't even remember his face.  I do remember though that he never became my boyfriend, and we didn't end up living happily ever after.  In fact, I think that after he read my note he gave me a look of bewilderment, and he might have even wondered if I was a couple of crayons short of a rainbow.  But that didn't matter.

What mattered was that I had broken new ground.  I had begun my expedition, and I was about to enjoy this wild and crazy roller coaster ride that would take me far into my college years.

I was about to become an expert at falling in love.  

Jungle Book

Didi auditioned for her 5th grade musical, and got one of the few solo singing parts:  she got to be Kaa, the snake!  The set was amazing, and the kids worked very hard through three months of after-school rehearsals.  Ever since Didi was in a Shakespeare project group in Eugene, she's loved acting and is getting really good at it.  I wish you could have all seen her shine in this role as Kaa, it was so much fun!

Opening night for the musical was on my birthday.  What a great way to celebrate my birthday, in the audience of one of my favorite performers!  So we had a quick dinner and dessert before heading over to the show.  JeLLo cheesecake--my requested dessert.  Yum!

Didi captured my reaction here to a great birthday surprise for me--Jazz gifted me something I've "needed" for a LONG time:  a GPS!  The kids will all be happy to not have to endure so many U-turns.  : ) 

the elephants

"Trust in meeee!  Just in me...close your eyes, and trust in me!  Slip into silent slumber..."  The best song in the show :)!

Congrats from Dad after the show

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Kaa and Mogley

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Kaa and Mogley's girlfriend from the man village ; )

Her costume was really fun.  She had to carry the tail coiled around her arm when she paraded to and from the stage during the group numbers, and she and the other kids got kind of hot in these costumes.  But, so cute.

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with the directors

with Baloo and Bagheera

We're so proud of Didi for being brave on the stage!  It was so much fun to watch her!

Spring Pics

Here are some more fun events that we've enjoyed in the last few months:

Shark has a paper route.  It's a great job for a kid.  It can be a little stressful when the sorting and delivering duties seem to get in the way of his studies, but he's been able to manage it pretty well.  It's just a weekly paper, so he does the sorting and stuffing on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Mom helps with the delivery on Tuesdays after school. 

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Goldie won this coloring contest at her school, and won $5!

Didi and Jazz had a GREAT time at a father-daughter activity that was held at her school.  I had to snap this picture of the cute pair before their evening together. 

Here's Didi playing as the first-chair saxophonist in her band concert (purple dress, long hair, right side). 

Didi also got to sing in the Select Chorus this year.  She's been asking me lately when she can start taking voice lessons, so that's kind of exciting!  Not sure when we'll start that, but perhaps soon.

Tootie puts on a show in his preschool parent's day performance. 

We've got GREAT KIDS!

Mother's Day

Our back yard is FULL of lucky clovers!  I have so much fun finding one or twenty when I walk through and decide to look for a few minutes.  What?  You've never found one?  Come on over, we've got plenty to share!

It's amazing--"please go do your practicing" is something we almost never have to say with Shark and his trumpet!  He's come a long way in a year, and it's fun to hear him play. 

B Y High School Musical...the Road Show

I am in a very bloggy mood.  I have been reading so many great things from so many cool people that I know, who have become writers in the last few years, and I find myself wanting to be just like them. 

I feel like I have so much I want to write about, so many opinions worth explaining to you,  stories I want to share with you...  I don't find it in me to become a fiction writer, but that's okay if that's not my calling.  I know the fiction world is in great hands with friends of mine that have talents in that area! 

I've especially been inspired this week by a new young writer that I met, who is just 12 years old.  She blogs, has written story after story, and has won awards...and as I read her blog, I forget that I'm not reading the writings of someone my same age.  I'm feeling so inspired. 

I completely understand why people write for a living.  I get these little baby ideas in my head that want to grow up to be big kid ideas and grown-up ideas by coming out of my head and maturing through the written word.  I think I am deciding that I am going to blog a little more in the coming days.  Just to see where my little wannabe writer skillz  can take me. 

But for now, I would like to just share some great family photos with you, since I love to do that too, and I feel there's much to offer by way of a photo update.  Here goes:

Did you know that our family was involved in a short musical performance called a Road Show a couple months ago?  Jazz and I were asked to assist a few other adults in directing the youth in our church in a 5-8 minute musical production of our own composition, to be performed with other scenes from other youth groups in the area.  We came up with the them of "B Y High School Musical" to go along with the regional theme of "Arise and Shine Forth".  We took a song from the movie High School Musical and expounded on it...changed the words just a tiny bit, added a script of our own, and then helped these fun kids learn it and perform it--all in 24 hours (the working with the youth part was to be done in one weekend, nothing more).  It was a whirlwind weekend, and pretty crazy, but worth it for one simple reason:  we know we created some wonderful memories for these kids.  And isn't making memories what being a kid is all about?  Heck, I guess it's what being a grown up should be all about too.  So yes, Jazz and I found it to be a LOT of work, and it's not something we would volunteer to do again out of the goodness of our hearts, but if we were called upon to do it again...um...well let's not think about that.  Let's just remember that our kids had a blast, and they did an awesome job of performing.  If it had been a competition (as Road Shows used to be in years past), our group would have won ; ). 

Shark loved being the high school mascot.  Lucky for us, there is a school nearby with Cougars as their mascot, and someone had this awesome costume for us to borrow.

Goldie got to be one of the "book nerds" in the cast.  She, Didi, and Tootie were technically under age since it was supposed to be an activity for the teenagers (or kids ages 12 and up), but since their parents were on the production team, they got to be in the cast (otherwise we would have had to find babysitters for the entire weekend).  They had a great time! 

Tootie was in the closing segment as a member of the rock band.  He tells everybody now that he plays the guitar. 

Here we are giving a last run through in the parking lot right before the performance. 

Didi got to be a cheerleader in the cast, and got pretty good at this stunt : ). 

The production team that we worked with was made up of some of our most favorite people since we've moved here.  If we had to do this again, we'd definitely want them on our team.  Especially since they're the ones that requested that we be their assistants this year, and turnabout is fair play, ha ha.  ; )