Stick a Fork In Me, I'm Done!!!!!

Last year I started doing Ameri-Corps. I've talked about it on here a few times. The things that were required, the projects that had to be done, the time it took. I have been done with Reading Groups at the school for a few days now, but I had a few hours of service left to complete. I decided to volunteer at the local library. So I went in and talked to them to see what they needed.

The first day I sat at the desk and put the new dvd's into the secure covers. I put the fine paper on it, along with slipping the dvd picture in. Then I folded summer reading papers. If someone asked me a question I could answer, I did. If not, I directed them to someone who could. The next time I shelved dvd's and answered questions.

Since then I have been helping with the story time they have for toddlers and preschoolers. It was so much fun. I got to sing songs, dance and read them stories. Most of them silly (well, look at the ages). The kids love story time! I'm actually going to miss it, and today was my last day there. Which means..........

Even though I could do one more full-time year, or 2 more part-time years of Ameri-Corps, I have decided to not. I AM DONE!!! I could go back and finish these at any time if I so choose. We'll see. I am now off to other pursuits.....

As in, at this time we are filling out the paperwork and getting the house ready to have Foster Kids come into our home. More on that at a later time.

As for now.......I AM DONE!!!

His One Christmas Wish

I got my weekly email from Elder Gary yesterday. He is still in Canyon. He is a little bummed that he is still in his greenie area, but great work is going on there.

In the email he let me know that he received his Christmas box from my parents. Then he proceeded to let me know that he didn't want us to send him anything.....I mean NOTHING!!! He said the only thing he needed was clothes and he has all of them that he needs. He wants us to take the money that we would have spent on his presents and shipping them to him, and use it for someone who really needs it. He has ALWAYS been one to think of others before himself.

At first I thought, I can't just send him nothing! Not one thing! But as I have thought about it, this was his Christmas list. His one Christmas wish. Give to someone who needs it worse than he does. This is what he would do. After all, this is the kid that right before he left for his mission, we had a food drive. I sat 2 sacks of food out for it. But Gary wanted to do something from him. So he went to the grocery store, bought things on sale, so he could buy more with the same money, and bought a full sack of groceries to come home and place it on the doorstep.

So....That is what I am going to do. I am going to take the money that I would have spent on him and give it to someone that I know needs more than he does right now. I know, beyond a doubt, just who that person is supposed to be. Then I will send him a Christmas card telling him who his gift went to this year.

May we all learn from a humble missionary, just what the true meaning of Christmas really is.

Merry Christmas Elder Gary.

Volunteering

Today I started the volunteer hours for AmeriCorps. These are the 25 hours that are in the 'not comfort zone' area. For 5 hours today I volunteered at the Special Olympics. Not just me though, Morgan, Lexie and Tanner went with me. My hours go toward AmeriCorps, Morgan and Lexie's hours are for a Value Project for Young Womens. Tanner's are just so he learns to serve others.

I was very nervous this morning as we were headed there. Talk about out of my comfort zone! I didn't know what they were going to have us do. I didn't know how Tanner would do. I knew it shouldn't be a problem for Lexie, she does Peer Tutor at school. (that is where for one period of school a day, students go to class with a child with special needs and help them with their class. Lexie goes to Science with the student she peer tutors. She absolutely loves it!)

The Special Olympics today were held at the University. The event was swimming. We got to time the races. Morgan was in the big pool area (along with my friend). Lexie, Tanner and myself were in the small pool area. Each of us had a lane we were responsible for timing, except Tanner, who helped me with my lane.

It was so fun to watch the athletes and see how excited they got when they finished. Notice I didn't say when they won.....but when they finished. But, yes, they were excited when they won too. They had such great sportsmanship, they were truly role models in how to behave at a sporting event. It was also exciting to see how Tanner cheered for them & laughed as they splashed us as they got to the wall. There was one boy that, when Tanner would see him would say, "Look mom, it's the guy with the really big splash."

If my kids learned nothing else today, I hope they learned that we can always learn something from everyone. Even if they are different than we are. Though we were there to serve them, they truly taught us plenty, and in that way, served us.

We will be doing more hours for Special Olympics. I'll be posting about each of the events we get to volunteer for. I know I'll be nervous again next time as well. Maybe it won't be so out of my comfort zone by the time I get my hours done.

AmeriCorps---Round #2

Last year I wrote about my year in AmeriCorps. It is a volunteer program in many areas. I volunteer in Literacy. There are many requirements for the year, I am part time......

• 900 hours

Out of those hours, there are certain areas that have to met.....

• 25 hours of community service that can be done in an area that I am comfortable
• 25 hours of community service that have to be done in an area where I am NOT comfortable, for a Non-profit organization, that I work directly with the people the organization benefits.....(cannot be the same thing I did last year)
• 1 Literacy night project
• 1 Homeland Security project
• 1 Martin Luther King project (January)
• 1 AmeriCorps week project (May)
• Training sessions....school, district & AmeriCorps
• Study groups, about once a month, of which I am study group leader this year.......the organization is reading and discussing 'Bridges Out of Poverty' this year
• only 180 of my hours can come from training and community service
• Reading groups....I work with the most at risk in Kindergarten and 2nd grade
• Any other things that the Principal and Literacy Facilitator have us do within the parameters of AmeriCorps
• CERT.....since I completed this last year, I don't have to do it again this year. They didn't give anything to replace these 20 hours, so I need to get them on my own

Now we just need to make sure we get our hours in and projects done. And help the kids learn to read. Not always the easiest of all the tasks for the year.

Give oh Give Away

Go to this blog......

You can enter for a chance win a beautiful picture of the

Salt Lake City Temple.

Except that I plan on winning it! It's beautiful.

Happy Father's Day 2009

First is my dad, Gary. Though he had to work a lot while we were growing up, I do remember him doing things with us. He taught us the value of hard work. I remember all the seemingly countless days spent going to get loads of wood. Some were for us, others to sell. I remember moving and stacking the brush and then carrying the wood to the truck to be stacked. We never left without a full cord of wood. Back then he even let us ride in the back of the truck. I also remember going to Grandpa's ranch to round up and brand cattle. Little did he know then, but these things helped me when I married a dairy farmer. Getting wood in Star Valley was a piece of cake compared to New Mexico!

I also remember him teaching us to play. I remember many Sunday afternoons spent playing Crocinos (?) my favorite, Clue, Sorry, Life....... I also remember bike rides and watching him and mom play tennis. Happy Father's Day Dad.

Dad and Andy at Andy's wedding 11-21-2008

Wynn's dad Dean raised Wynn on the dairy farm. He taught him hard work as well. He always likes to play with the grandkids and would take a minute here and there in the middle of chores to tease them or chase them or.....

Now he lives in the middle of the city in Utah and misses Wyoming's open spaces. So even though we don't live in Wyoming anymore either, he likes to come stay with us occasionally "Because there's less houses." Happy Father's Day Dean!

Grandpa Jenkins and Tanner at Grandpa's Utah house 5-8-2009

And my husband and father of my children, Wynn. He puts up with me being a 'city girl', even though I do know how to work hard when I need to, and help him with whatever project he's doing now. He tolerates me being ditzy with just a shake of the head and a "That would be my wife." He has also taught our kids the value of hard work, first through the dairy, then the cabinet shop and now just in a regular job by chores around the house. He is strict but fair and we all love him. Happy Father's Day Babe!

From all of us. What could it be? The big red one is HEAVY!

YEAH!!! Just what he's been asking for forever!

And I even thought to get him a carry bag for it.

He has not only wanted this for camping, but because of my back, he does the canning in the family. He is sooooo excited to have it for that. We hate cleaning up the mess in the kitchen and this will help tons with that!

They made a point of showing me what it says on the box. They think this means I have to go camping. I don't know. I've never been in my life yet.

Happy Father's Day to the 3 Father's in our life!

At Peace

Funerals have never been easy for me. The first one I remember is my Grandpa Swapp's. I was little, 1st grade I believe. I wasn't allowed to attend the funeral, the little kids were tended at my Grandma's house. The things I do remember about the funeral were this:

• I got picked up early at school
• I got a new dress that I still remember, it reminded me of 'Heidi', I loved that dress, red and black with a lace up attached vest
• Staying at my Grandma's house
• and my mom taking me to the church to see my Grandpa one last time. I remember her holding me up to see in the coffin and I just thought he looked like one of those wax figures at a was museum

I went to my Grandpa Hulsey's funeral when Andy was 6 months old. We were close. It was hard to lose him. I cried as soon as I walked in and saw my mother. I have felt him with me many times since then in the last 22 years. I still miss him, but can still feel a hug from him when I need it most.

I didn't make it to my Grandma Swapp's funeral. I had plans to go with my sister Dawna. I kept having the feeling I shouldn't go, but wanted to be there and kept pushing the feeling away. The night before we were supposed to leave, I called my mom, in tears again, and told her I didn't feel like I should go but I wanted to be there so badly. She told me to listen to that feeling and not come. That is what my Grandma would want me to do. I felt so bad for missing this.

When we moved to Evanston, we had been there for 3 weeks when they realigned the boundaries. I became the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society in a ward I didn't know anyone in. We called it the geriatric ward (I know, nice huh?) because we had at least 1 funeral about every week if not more. There was a time only a couple of weeks into being in the Presidency that the President and the 1st counselor could neither be to the funeral. That meant that I, who had never been in Relief Society before, had to do it.Since I became an adult I have not handled viewings well....ever. I don't know if it has something to do with seeing my grandpa or not. I don't know how to explain what I feel when it comes to a funeral. I know they are to show respect and love for the family, but I have to go through a whole talking myself into thing every time. No matter who it is.

Today we had a funeral to attend in Tremonton. Our dear friends, Kim and Cindy Parry, had a son that was 29 years old. He has been sick for a few years, part of what was wrong, they knew, but couldn't figure out everything from the way I understand it. About 4 weeks ago they had to take him to the hospital and thought they were going to lose him then, but they didn't. Last Saturday he passed away. Wynn told me and I knew I needed to go to the funeral. Wynn asked me if I was coming, they would all be leaving work to go. I kept telling him I didn't know yet, it was the last day of school for the kids, and all other nonsense. I tell you, I have to go through a process_ every_ time.

I got up this morning, got Tanner ready for school and myself ready for the day, in a skirt for the funeral, all the time still debating whether I was going. Wynn called me as I was driving Tanner to school and asked if I was coming, I told him yes to the viewing. As I drove over there I went through the whole process of I needed to stay to the funeral. I got lost, called Wynn, he got me to the church. We went in and got in line. As soon as I saw Cindy I started to cry. I hate crying in public. But I watched as this great friend of mine seemed to comfort everyone that went through that line. We were supposed to be there to comfort and support her, and she was comforting and supporting us. My heart as a mother was breaking for her. She is such a great example to me in all things.

I did stay to the funeral. I knew I would go and I would stay all along. But like I said, it is a process for me. It was a beautiful service. This was a very giving person that was giving through sickness and clear up to the end. His siblings and mom spoke. You could feel the love. You could feel that he was happy, at peace and felt good for the first time in a very long time. You could feel that he is where he is supposed to be. He couldn't finish his mission on this earth, he was sent home because of the illness. He is on his mission now.

I figure I will still have to talk myself into going. And I have to go through the feelings to make sure if it is a I shouldn't go thing or my usual I can't do this thing. I've had both. I think my Grandpa helps me with this process each time and hope he is allowed to remain with me.

God be with you, Cory Scott Parry. You were an example to all, and continue to be so.

Off To The MTC

It's official. Today, May 27,2009, was the day. Elder Gary Dean Jenkins entered the MTC in Provo, Utah at 12:00 noon. We picked Drew up at Wynn's parents so Gary could say good-bye. They are getting older and though they are both doing better health wise, you never know. He wanted to have that chance, just in case. He will be at the MTC until June 15.

The famous missionary at the MTC sign picture

As we got here to take this picture, he looked up at the missionary that was getting his picture taken and saidm "Hi Dylan!" It was one of his friends from high school. We know not everybody gets to be here with people they know.

Wynn and I with Gary

All the kids

The Jenkins' family

As Gary went in one door, and us the other, we were asked if any of us had had a fever or the flu in the last week. Wynn had had a cold and was asked if he had been checked by a doctor. Since he hadn't been he was asked if he minded being checked out by the MTC doctors to because of the Swine Flu epidemic and trying to keep it out of the MTC. They also ask that nobody shake hands there. The missionaries aren't even allowed to shake each others hands or give a hug to a friend that is also there.

Putting on the name tag.

Me and Elder Gary Jenkins

The first time I went with anybody to the MTC was when Andy went, 3 years ago. I explained to my kids that they are lucky to live close enough to go. Many people can only afford for part or just one of the family to take them. Others put them on a plane at home and send them by themselves. I found out this was the case this very day for one of my friends from high school in New Mexico.

Setting in that room isn't any easier the second time. We sat and talked and waited. They played those Mormon commercials that make you cry when they are just on TV, bawl when you're sitting at the MTC. We sang Called To Serve. We listened to talks. The closing prayer was given by a sister missionary that will be going to Gary's mission. The whole time I could here Lexie setting down there sobbing, Andy crying, Drew crying, I tried to be strong. He hugged them all. He hugged Wynn. He hugged me. I gave him a hug good-bye and told him it would be easier to let him go if he had been a more difficult child but it's hard when he was such a good kid. I told him what a great missionary he is going to be. I turned and told everybody to just go. Go fast and don't look back.

Serve with Honor Elder Jenkins. You'll be back before any of us know it.

Gary's mission poster 5/27/2009

It sure looks empty with only 1 sticker on it. Good thing we know it will fill up fast.

That's one lonely turtle.

On the way home, Tanner asked if he could sleep in Gary's bed...'Because I miss him so much!' Of course, I said yes.

Last Two Days

Last week one of our dear friends that Gary worked for, Lou Wilhelm, took Gary and his friend Phil fishing at Flaming Gorge. They had both worked for him hauling hay and this was his way of telling them goodbye before they left for their respective missions. They were hard workers and he really loves those boys.

Now this has been our last 2 days with Gary before he leaves on his mission. This is always an emotional time. He spent yesterday with us and his friend Chelsey Richman. Though they aren't boyfriend/girlfriend they have become the best of friends. We absolutely love her for the way she helped Gary prepare for his mission. She is a sweetheart. They went to the movie and then he got to meet her new boyfriend/guy friend(?). He approved and said he was a really nice guy.

Gary and his best friend Chelsey

Today was our last day to try to cram all those things in that you always think you'll have time to do before they leave. So what did we do? We went golfing. Wynn has always loved golfing and last Tuesday he took Gary and Tanner and Gary decided he could love this game. So he wanted to go one last time. Wynn, myself, Gary, Andy and Leza (she didn't play) went to Sherwood Hills. (it's 2 for 1 on Tuesdays) This was my first time golfing. I agree with Gary. I LOVE this game. Wynn says I was really good for my first time. I only lost one ball. Yeah me! I forgot my camera though so I didn't get any pictures which I had planned to do. It started downpouring while we were on the course, we kept playing. It stopped and I guess the rain washed off the sunblock because when we were done I was kind of red. Oh, well.

When we got home, Gary and Wynn worked on getting his room packed up. They didn't quite finish, but Gary told him what to keep, what to throw away and what was what ever. I just couldn't do it. I kept crying and that was not what he needed right now. The nerves are still here and he didn't need me crying in his face all day.

At 8:00pm we went to the Stake Presidents office for Gary to be set apart as a missionary for the Texas Lubbock mission for the duration that he needs to be there. It was a beautiful thing. The Stake President was gone so his counselor, President Younkers set him apart along with Wynn and Andy. The whole family was there. It was wonderful. The Spirit was so strong. And now he is a missionary, a man of God and we will be taking him to the MTC tomorrow morning. And though he has been preparing for this his whole life and immersing himself in all things missionary that he could for the last few months, I am going to miss him. I know this is where he is supposed to be. I know this is what he is supposed to do. I wouldn't want him anywhere else at this time. I am sp proud of him and his choices. But I am going to miss him. He is such a good son, brother and friend to all. He is an excellent example to all around him...so loving and kind, even though he has his mischeivous side. I know he's not perfect, but he's close. He is going to be an excellent missionary for the Lord.

God speed, Elder Gary Dean Jenkins. I love you.

Getting Ready

Tomorrow is Gary's "Farewell" for his mission. He will be speaking in Church and then we will be having numerous people at the house for food and well wishes. There will probably be between 80-100 people here off and on throughout the day. For this reason we are having it in the backyard. We have mowed and trimmed the lawn and made sure the plants/flowers are looking good. We swept the sidewalks and driveway to make it pleasant looking. We have scrubbed inside and out. Major cleaning (but not too major, that would take WAY more time than we have!) to have major company. Then the wind blew and we swept and cleaned up again, a couple of times.

After having Gary's birthday celebration we did one more thing to prepare for next Wednesday and his leaving for the MTC....We put up his mission poster! We will put a sticker on it for every day that he is gone, starting with next Wednesday as day #1. We've decided that we will take pictures at the end of every month just to see the progress. So here is picture #1.....

See? No stickers yet.

It's empty now, but it will fill up faster than we think. Those 2 years will be done before we know it and then the wall will be empty again. Unless one (or more) of the girls decide to go on a mission, we won't be doing this again until Tanner turns 19 in 11 1/2 years!!!

Pay it forward

Pay It Forward

Here's the idea. Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on my blog and you will be the lucky recipient of a hand made gift from me some time this year. When it comes will be a total complete surprise! Now here is the catch, you have to post the same thing on your blog and do the same for 3 lucky people. GOOD LUCK! This is going to be fun!

Shame on me and this is what I do

It's been a week-OK, and a day- since my last blog. Shame on me, I was doing so well! And I realized I've had a few blogs that I said, "I'll explain later" or "expound later" or something along those lines, and I never have. Shame on me again. I admit last week was crazy, I have had some long, late, grueling days at work lately, which with my job, I shouldn't be having. But with AmeriCorps, we're the 2 that get to do the extras. Which brings me to........

AmeriCorps. I said I would say what keeps me so busy, and at times, so stressed. So... What is it and what do they do? Think of the Peace Corp, only for literacy. Volunteer for 1-2 years (Aug-July) and get a living stipend for 10 months each year. You can do AmeriCorps for only 2 years in your life. At the end of each year, they give you an educational stipend. You can use it to pay off student loans or to go to school. At the end of 2 years I will have enough in the stipend I get for 1 year at USU. That is depending on what tuition is at that point! I'm in the middle of my 1st year. There are requirements, some are the same year to year, others are different. This year:

• 900 hours for part time (me)--split between training, community service and direct service
• Week of training in Ogden, which coincided with the first week of school here for my kids, so I drove back and forth
• training--study groups once a month (sept, oct, nov, feb, mar, apr) about an assigned book. First book was a simple yet redundant skinny book about teaching phonics. Quick, easy read. This time it is a book with 300 some pages called Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. First 10 chapters for Feb study group. Not bad but they also give us a book of questions to have answered, go to her website, visit her blog, sign up for her contests, and then start a scrapbook about our own wishes. I don't scrapbook. We also have to have CERT training. We had the choice to do the 20 hours on line and not be fully certified to be called out for disasters, or take the actual 7 week course and be certified to be called out. I opted for the online course! Plus we have individual 1 hour training with our leader 3 times a year, plus another week long training.
• 50 hours of community service--25 that can fall in an 'easy circle' (I drove the girls for color guard practice and competitions) and 25 that have to fall in a hard circle. I did the kits and toys for CAPSA plus volunteered at a care center. We also had a MLK day 6-8 hour project with our study group that didn't count toward the 50 hours. We tied quilts for DI (the Humanitarian project) And we have a week long project in May for AmeriCorps week that we have to come up with. Doesn't count toward the 50.
• List any service we do on a Presidential website. I have a lot of hours listed here. I was actually quite surprised. Of course everything you do counts here, including Church callings, taking dinner to a neighbor, etc.
• Homeland security project and a literacy night project.
• Direct service is what I do every day--I teach 2nd grade and kindergarten reading groups--5 hours every day. Being in AmeriCorps, we have the most at risk groups. It is sad to see them so far behind, but so great to see how far they come. Sad for those who don't really progress because of non-attendance or no help at home.
• Report all dibels scores 3 times a year. Listed by child.
• Any time anything extra needs done at school, we get to do it because we aren't on a time clock. And there is always something extra. I'm supposed to work from 8:30-1:30. There are times I don't get off anywhere from 3:30-6:00.

I had a wedding in November in the middle of all this as well. By Christmas I had wedding done, my 50 hours service done, Homeland Security done, Literacy night done, Presidential site up to date, had helped Colleen get most of hers done (she's going to college right now!). We are 1/2 through with our CERT course now. And yes, I'm planning on doing my 2nd year next year. #1-It pretty much guarantees me a job at this point. #2- the educational stipend.

Now I'm tired just listing it all. Think I'm going to go watch some NCIS until it's time to go to the rec center. Oops, maybe not. I have to take Morgan to her orthodontist appointment. And numerous other 'mom' things.

And I fell on the sidewalk this morning on the newly fallen snow, and think I broke my thumb.

A morning well spent

Have I mentioned before that we live in a really great ward? They did this last year, but I didn't get to go because they did it after I had my hysterectomy, therefore I was somewhat laid up. So this is the first time I got to participate.

For the ward Christmas party, they chose to do it on a Saturday morning. We went to the church at 8:00am & they fed us a nice breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, milk, chocolate milk, & orange juice in the gym. Then they had tables set up, in the gym, young womens room, young mens room, & primary room. This is where the great morning comes in....

Young mens room---put together buckets of car cleaning supplies
Young womens room---put together hygeine kits
Primary room---put together buckets of house cleaning supplies, or make cute gloves for girls by gluing on beads or for boys by putting on sports stickers
Gym--a whole assembly line....sanding wooden cars, putting on the wheels, dunking them in mineral oil, & then wiping the oil off

We were there from 8am until 10:30am. There were close to 100 people who came, men, women, & children of all ages & walks of life. I wish I had a picture to put on here to show the amount of everything that was put together this morning & how much fun & joy we had doing it. There is no complaining of Why do we have to do this?, or How much longer is this going to take?, or Can we go home now?. There is only We're done already?!! I wish there was more to do. And so much fun had by all. There is so much love & caring going in to each project done that you can actually feel it. The kids know they are helping others that are less fortunate & only show love while doing this. Where are all these projects going now we have them done? To the local CAPSA organization. And to think that with all that was done this morning, they still need so much more. I wish you all could have been there.

And even though this does count for my service hours for AmeriCorp, (for those that figured that out) that isn't why I did it. I went without even knowing it was for CAPSA. I went because I wanted to help others. My kids (Gary, Morgan, Lexie & Tanner) wanted to help others. I thought we were doing a Church Humanitarian project that would not have counted for my hours. WE did it because.