This morning, 12 yrs ago, Jillian Nicole Skinner was born. She was impatiently quick and not waiting for anyone to get the job done, almost delivered by the nurse, hence her way of life since then.
She is a non-stop, active, beautiful, talented young woman.
I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit to place Jillian in our home. She brings us laughter, joy and as all children sometimes frustration, however; I wouldn't change anything about her. She wears shorts in the winter without a coat and jeans in the summer with a sweatshirt. She will kick a soccer ball for hours and play the piano any time of day or night. She is a friend to everyone and an enemy to none and the newest Beehive in our ward. She can't wait for girls camp. I love her goofy smile.
Jillian, you are a true joy to your father, sisters, brothers and I. We love you so much and are so grateful for you.Your crazy ways make you truly unique and wonderful. Our family and lives would be incomplete without you. We love you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Families
We haven't been so busy that I can't post something and its not like life isn't continuing to roll on; however, it seems all I do these days is check facebook, email and farmtown(which is on facebook). I seriously need a life lol.
I had a fabulous Mothers Day! Jessica made me breakfast, yummy delicious food, and a beautiful picture. Jeana hand crocheted and braided a pin that I now have on my church bag because she and I decided it wasn't a good one to wear necessarily. Jillian bought me some very nice flowers. Jordyn gave me a recipe book which has some great recipes I can't wait to try. James gave me some coupons for many different things he will do for me. And Johnston, well JT just continued to go potty which is good enough for now. Jimmy gave me a new fan in our t.v. room with a remote and it is SO NICE! He was looking for new doors for the dining room but found that all the doors at the store were too small for what we needed so looks like we need another plan. He and the kids also gave me a certificate to get a manicure and pedicure, I can't wait.
I was able to lead our primary kids while they sang to their moms and they did a wonderful job. Let me tell you, prayer works.
I think one of the many highlights of my day was seeing our family after church. Jake, Teresa and the kids were down for the week, they are moving back next month and are looking for a place to live. All the kids were running in the water in the back yard and playing together. While we were at my in-laws Jesse and Heather got on the computer with us all and we were able to see them and all three boys. It was so much fun. The twins are getting so big and Aiden has such the personality.
I am also grateful that my mom came home from her vacation safely and that I was able to pick her up and visit with her.
How amazing it is to me and how wonderful it is that God saw fit to put us on this earth with families. I don't know that I could do it without their love and support. To know that my family is with me forever, no matter what, is a calming influence when hard times arise. Life can happen, death, pain, joy, happiness and yet FAMILIES ARE FOREVER.
I had a fabulous Mothers Day! Jessica made me breakfast, yummy delicious food, and a beautiful picture. Jeana hand crocheted and braided a pin that I now have on my church bag because she and I decided it wasn't a good one to wear necessarily. Jillian bought me some very nice flowers. Jordyn gave me a recipe book which has some great recipes I can't wait to try. James gave me some coupons for many different things he will do for me. And Johnston, well JT just continued to go potty which is good enough for now. Jimmy gave me a new fan in our t.v. room with a remote and it is SO NICE! He was looking for new doors for the dining room but found that all the doors at the store were too small for what we needed so looks like we need another plan. He and the kids also gave me a certificate to get a manicure and pedicure, I can't wait.
I was able to lead our primary kids while they sang to their moms and they did a wonderful job. Let me tell you, prayer works.
I think one of the many highlights of my day was seeing our family after church. Jake, Teresa and the kids were down for the week, they are moving back next month and are looking for a place to live. All the kids were running in the water in the back yard and playing together. While we were at my in-laws Jesse and Heather got on the computer with us all and we were able to see them and all three boys. It was so much fun. The twins are getting so big and Aiden has such the personality.
I am also grateful that my mom came home from her vacation safely and that I was able to pick her up and visit with her.
How amazing it is to me and how wonderful it is that God saw fit to put us on this earth with families. I don't know that I could do it without their love and support. To know that my family is with me forever, no matter what, is a calming influence when hard times arise. Life can happen, death, pain, joy, happiness and yet FAMILIES ARE FOREVER.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Treking
Jimmy and I were able to go with our Stake as a ma and pa for the annual (every 4 yr) pioneer trek. This trek is for youth ages 14 to 18 so Jessica and Jeana were able to go as well. It was incredible and I don't think words could really do it justice. We have been planning for it since January with walking, sewing and meetings with the last real push being the last week or two.
Thursday morning we were up bright and early to get to the Stake center with our stuff that needed to fit into a 5gallon bucket and meet our new family. Jimmy and I had 7 kids all together and we couldn't have asked for a better bunch of kids. We had a great time with all of them. We boarded buses and headed out to a place somewhere between Elgin and Caliente called Rainbow Canyon where we unloaded our stuff into our handcarts and off we went.
I won't bore you with the details of pushing and pulling, hills and dales. We really had alot of all that and it was hard, but the real meaning was knowing what the pioneers did for us and what they went thru so that the church could be brought west away from persecution.
As I watched the youth do what needed to be done it hit me even harder how important they are in these latter days. They have strenth beyond what we needed to have as youth.
I also was so grateful for what the pioneers did for me. I only had to go a third of the distance that they had to go in one day and by the end of my third day I was glad to know that a shower wasn't far off. They didn't have someone giving them food, or port a pottys every so often, they didn't have coleman stoves or warm sleeping bags. Ya, we were a little wet the last day but we knew the end was near. They didn't know how long they would be going before they were going to be in an actual home with warmth and comforts. The pioneers went truly by faith and although I would like to think I gained a better understanding and greater testimony for all those things I think most of us went by knowledge because we had an end in sight when we started.
All in all the experience was wonderful and unforgettable. It was something that I would definitely do again and knowing what I know now I would do it better from my end. We had wonderful kids, fabulous leaders who planned for everything and the Lord watching our for us.
Thursday morning we were up bright and early to get to the Stake center with our stuff that needed to fit into a 5gallon bucket and meet our new family. Jimmy and I had 7 kids all together and we couldn't have asked for a better bunch of kids. We had a great time with all of them. We boarded buses and headed out to a place somewhere between Elgin and Caliente called Rainbow Canyon where we unloaded our stuff into our handcarts and off we went.
I won't bore you with the details of pushing and pulling, hills and dales. We really had alot of all that and it was hard, but the real meaning was knowing what the pioneers did for us and what they went thru so that the church could be brought west away from persecution.
As I watched the youth do what needed to be done it hit me even harder how important they are in these latter days. They have strenth beyond what we needed to have as youth.
I also was so grateful for what the pioneers did for me. I only had to go a third of the distance that they had to go in one day and by the end of my third day I was glad to know that a shower wasn't far off. They didn't have someone giving them food, or port a pottys every so often, they didn't have coleman stoves or warm sleeping bags. Ya, we were a little wet the last day but we knew the end was near. They didn't know how long they would be going before they were going to be in an actual home with warmth and comforts. The pioneers went truly by faith and although I would like to think I gained a better understanding and greater testimony for all those things I think most of us went by knowledge because we had an end in sight when we started.
All in all the experience was wonderful and unforgettable. It was something that I would definitely do again and knowing what I know now I would do it better from my end. We had wonderful kids, fabulous leaders who planned for everything and the Lord watching our for us.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Surrender?
I heard a song today that made me think about my life up til now. If you would have asked me in high school where I thought I would be in 20yrs I think I would have answered differently than what I am doing now. But this song reminded me of how important what I AM doing is in the whole scheme of things.
It isn't as important for me to be entertaining millions when I can entertain the 6 MORE important people I have in my home.
Maybe it would be fun to be recognized for amazing things that I do with more flair but how much more I LOVE having a thank you from my family and a hug from my kids. How could I ever live without those soggy wet kisses.
So, I was thinking of things that I may have surrendered in my previous ideals and found that I am happier than most could ever hope to be. I think I have followed God's plan for me instead of a plan that my youth thought I should have.
When I was in high school I had a friend, who I still am in touch with and talk to, we were talking about what we wanted to do with our lives when we graduated high school. I told him that money didn't matter, I just wanted to make people happy. Guess I got my wish, most of the time.
It isn't as important for me to be entertaining millions when I can entertain the 6 MORE important people I have in my home.
Maybe it would be fun to be recognized for amazing things that I do with more flair but how much more I LOVE having a thank you from my family and a hug from my kids. How could I ever live without those soggy wet kisses.
So, I was thinking of things that I may have surrendered in my previous ideals and found that I am happier than most could ever hope to be. I think I have followed God's plan for me instead of a plan that my youth thought I should have.
When I was in high school I had a friend, who I still am in touch with and talk to, we were talking about what we wanted to do with our lives when we graduated high school. I told him that money didn't matter, I just wanted to make people happy. Guess I got my wish, most of the time.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
In my sock
If your family is anything like mine, we race around on school mornings getting lunches, getting dressed, finding shoes, doing hair, wheres my jacket, did you get your homework etc and whew! So, it is wonderful when I get a good laugh in the mornings to lighten up the mommy mood.
The last couple days Johnston has said owie everytime I put on his shoes. First I thought it was his socks then something in the shoe because he said it hurt in back not in front. Yesterday, I decided to see where his toes were in his shoes and if maybe we needed new shoes. As he stood in front of me I tried to push down on the toe and these tennis shoes are really hard to push down let alone find any toes at times. I said,"Johnston, where is your toe?" as I pushed as hard as I felt comfortable on his shoe and he said,"In my sock!". I was laughing so hard I had to stop. When I finally composed myself enough to go on I asked him to move his toe for me and instead his whole foot started moving.
Sometimes I forget that at different ages they see things in different ways. It helps me to also remember that not only do we need to remember that with kids but everyone. Sometimes we say something that is not meant to be rude or mean but it can be taken in a totally different way.
I love the way my children make me laugh and smile and the simple things.
The last couple days Johnston has said owie everytime I put on his shoes. First I thought it was his socks then something in the shoe because he said it hurt in back not in front. Yesterday, I decided to see where his toes were in his shoes and if maybe we needed new shoes. As he stood in front of me I tried to push down on the toe and these tennis shoes are really hard to push down let alone find any toes at times. I said,"Johnston, where is your toe?" as I pushed as hard as I felt comfortable on his shoe and he said,"In my sock!". I was laughing so hard I had to stop. When I finally composed myself enough to go on I asked him to move his toe for me and instead his whole foot started moving.
Sometimes I forget that at different ages they see things in different ways. It helps me to also remember that not only do we need to remember that with kids but everyone. Sometimes we say something that is not meant to be rude or mean but it can be taken in a totally different way.
I love the way my children make me laugh and smile and the simple things.
Monday, March 23, 2009
M & M's
You may be thinking at this point, "Wow, alot must be happening in the Skinner house, look how often she is writing on the blog!." To be perfectly honest this was to fun to pass up and since this is sort of like a journal of sorts, I wanted to share the M&M name in our home.
Last night as we were having dessert, yes our kids have dessert almost every night of some type and no I don't make it every night (can you say store bought cookies), the kids decided to have candy. Jeana came up with the name of Merry Mormons for M & M's and I just thought it was a cute way to say it and wanted to share with the rest of our family and friends. Feel free to use it, no trademark.
Last night as we were having dessert, yes our kids have dessert almost every night of some type and no I don't make it every night (can you say store bought cookies), the kids decided to have candy. Jeana came up with the name of Merry Mormons for M & M's and I just thought it was a cute way to say it and wanted to share with the rest of our family and friends. Feel free to use it, no trademark.
Copycat
So, a dear friend of mine, who is an INCREDIBLE blogger, got a new camera and posted a picture of her daughters eye on her blog. That got me thinking. I LOVE the color of James' eyes, not only is he the only one that doesn't have straight blue eyes but they are more a green/blue and so pretty. I tried to get some pics of his eyes like she did her daughter but found that Jimmy did a much better job at it which stands to reason since he has taken over 2,000 soccer pics with it in the last 4months. So, being the copycat that I am, I wanted to post a picture of James' eyes too. Hope she doesn't mind, and if she does I will apologize later with gummy bears and Jazmins or maybe BBQ. Thanks for the idea.
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