Pics from Mom

My mom shared these pictures with me, and they are too cute not to share with you.

I miss my niece Addison SOOOO much. I can't wait to see her at Thanksgiving

Happy Halloween Lion!!

and a chick!! Bock...Bock as she says it.

Blurry but adorable!!!!!!

Oh, the things a grandpa will do for his grand-daughter.

I'm speechless.

Job

So, I applied for a job today. I have applied for some over the few months past and been offered some, but this one, I'm REALLY excited about. It sounds too perfect for me. I'm excited and hopeful about this position. Please keep me in your thoughts.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and Idon't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave anextremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thoughtprocess, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein

Braggin' on Jonathan

So, Jonathan has been working on a DVD for our grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary. We're going to give it to them the week of Thanksgiving. I have to brag on my husband. I've really helped...none. I've just said if I like everything or not. He's done an amazing job. He has used so much creativity in putting the DVD together and it is almost ready to burn to discs. I can't wait to share with with the family at Thanksgiving.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the bunch!!!

The Jenning's family

Cousin Shane, not looking too happen about his zebra costume.

Cute!

I think this one is really beautiful!

Funny and cute!

I love this one beacause Jonathan (on the left) is SOOO cute.

Love!!

Lemon Water

I've been reading and hearing about how drinking two glasses of lemon water a day can help increase metabolism, energy and improve overall health. Have you heard about this? I think I may get a few lemons next time we go to the store and check this out.

* If less than 150lbs. half lemon per 8oz. glass
* If more than 150lbs. one lemon per 8oz. glass.

Here are a few links about this...tell me what you think.

http://www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/lemon.htm

http://www.proliberty.com/observer/20040711.htm

Random thoughts...

Jonathan and I voted last night in our communities early voting program. This was our first election in Farmington. We didn't know about some of the people or issues, but we check out the sample ballots before heading in to vote. COP (ConocoPhillips) held a Candidate Forum a few weeks ago. We got to meet at talk to all the local politician and hear what they think. That helped me a lot.

We've been talking about what we're going to do the week of Thanksgiving. There are so many people and places we want to be at the same time. We hope we can fit it all in and not be exhausted by the end of the trip from all the driving. I don't think it will be as bad as it sounds, I hope!!! :)

The weather is getting pretty cool in Farmington. Jonathan doesn't think it is as cold as I do...but...it's cold. I had to pull out my fleece pj pants and jacket, jeans just weren't warm enough for me.

Summer

Mesa Verde

My parents and Jonathan at
Aztec Ruins National Park.

Trout fishing on the San Juan River

Silverton, CO

Silverton, CO

Silverton, CO

A river we drove through while trail riding in Silverton, CO

Shiprock

This is an old lava tube from a volcano.

Engineer Mountain

Summer Review, Fall Preview

Summer is over, but man, was it a great one. After Jonathan and I got settled in to our house in Farmington we were always on the move. Most weekends we were off on exploring our duplex. We've gone camping, trout fishing, salmon snagging, hiking, exploring old silver mines and trail riding. My most memorable experience was climbing Engineer Mountain. The mountain is between Durango and Silverton, CO. It is a beautiful area, but besides that, it was my first real hike and it was great. I didn't make it to the top, about 1,000 feet short of it. We started at around 10,000 feet and the peak is 13,000. It is a tough hike, but I am excited to concur it next summer.

As fall began we took one last camping trip in Silverton, CO and were lucky enough to see the beautiful colors of fall in this area. We also got a visit from my parents in mid-October. It was a fun time. We showed them some local sites and took a day trip to Mesa Verde. I think we all enjoyed it.

We will be in Oklahoma for 8 or 9 days in November.

Are you in the loop...

So, I decided to start a blog to keep everyone updated on the happenings of Jonathan and me. This seemed to be the easiest way to share pictures from our trips and information with the one's we love. I hope to get pictures and information up soon.

We love you!!

Jonathan and Brooke