The Johnson Family

New Blog Name

2013-10-14T15:49:00.002-07:00

Here is a quick post to let you know my new blog name for this blog. It will now be ourlifeourmemoriestogether.blogspot.com. Make sure to add it!!! I am wanting to keep up to date about our new family of 4!!!

Well it is no longer Jessica's Little Family....

2013-10-10T20:31:00.001-07:00

So much has happened the past couple months. I guess it is time to give an update:

I was working for a company called Sutter Physicians Services in Murray. I loved the company!! I did billing there but worked doing call center work and after a year I was ready for something new. Brandon and I decided that the girls and I would move to Layton once we got married so in June I started looking for a job that was closer to Layton. I sent my resume to a billon places but only had 2 interviews. I had gone on one interview and felt amazing about it immediately after the interview. It was a job doing something I have never done but I was ready for the change. I went in for a second interview and was given the job. I started my new job Aug 19 and I now work for Bridgewater International as a Project Coordinator in Woods Cross. I am loving it so far and love the people I work with.

Then there was this pretty amazing day September 20, 2013 where I was able to marry my best friend. It was the perfect day!!!! Having family and friends around to share our celebration and love was amazing!!! I can't describe how happy I am to now be Jessica Lynn Johnson!!!

Also I am now a Layton resident. We have an apartment here and love having my 3 best friends and my little family under one roof. After being 45 mins away from Brandon for so long it is awesome to see him everyday!!!

The girls are loving Kindergarten here and so proud of how eager they are to learn right now. They tell me when it's time to do their homework. If only that can last!!! Their babysitter has 5 year old twin girls as well and it is so fun to watch them all play!!

So now it's time to get adjusted to this new life of ours and can't wait for all the adventures ahead of us!!!!

Ps I now need to change my blog name since we are now a family and it is not just the girls and I anymore. So look out for that change

Now time to hang out with my husband ... Man does that feel great to say ;)

Pss our Honeymoon to Cozumel was amazing!!!

Last week......

2013-06-10T14:48:00.001-07:00

Last week was such a great week for me. Went shopping with my girls and they got new swimming suits for the summer and so excited that they started swimming lessons TODAY!!! On Thursday it was my day off and had lots of things to do.....started it off making pink pancake with pink sprinkles for the girls at Layna's request. I had to go to Layton for my first wedding dress fitting. I got up there a little early so decided to go to Ross and shop while I waited. Found new shoes for my girls and some things for the wedding !!! SCORE :) Was so happy.

The dress fitting went amazing!!! I can't wait to get it back the beginning of July!!! After that I went by Men's Wearhouse and picked out tuxedos for the men for the wedding which was so much easier than what I was doing online lol

2 things completed and was going to meet my mom at the reception center to see items they have that we can use for the wedding centerpieces. I had about 30 mins before I needed to meet my mom so I went shopping again in a new shopping center in Farmington and got more for the wedding as well as jewelry for my engagements :).

Then it was time to meet my mom. Was a quick in and out at the reception center but went and looked at the grounds and where the ceremony would be and it is gorgeous up there. I'm so excited for September!!!

After getting all my wedding stuff done I went and visited my friend and went home. Thursday I had a smile the entire day :) was the perfect day off

Then on Saturday I ran my first 5k!!!! If you know me you know I am not a runner and was so proud that I completed it. My team finished the 10k but was so proud of allow us for doing and completing the Dirty Dash!!!! It was muddy and dirty and so much fun!!! I'm sun burnt, knee is banged up, scratches and sore but I'm so glad I did it!!!!

Sunday was spent with Brandon and the girls and doesn't get any better. So grateful for them :)

This is going to be a great week and engagements are getting done Saturday....

Here are some pictures from my week:

Yummy pancakes!!!

Team Incredibles

Dirty Dash completed!!!

This is me today :) Hope Everyone has a great week!!!

Oh how I wish I was better at blogging....

2013-05-14T19:41:00.001-07:00

With my friend setting up a new awesome blog for moms and fitness it made me look at my own and see how long it's been since I've posted. It's so bad!!!! I love looking back at past posts and see all that has gone on and then always stop then always have one of these posts saying I haven't posted in forever lol. Lets try this yet again shall we!

I am working and planning a wedding. I am FINALLY getting married lol Something I've waited for for so long. I cannot wait to marry my best friend this September and start our lives with our girls together.

The girls are 5 and a half and can't believe how fast time has gone. Getting packets for Kindergarten is so crazy that after the summer they will be in school :)

Really going to make effort to keep posting. Today was a little easier to post due to not feeling good all night to early this morning and being home relaxing but You watch ill be posting soon!

BTW.....

2012-09-04T18:44:00.005-07:00

If you are not a friend of mine on facebook then I am here to tell you about the other blog I have. My friend Amanda and I came up with the idea to but educational and fun activities in a blog for other mothers and families to use. Amanda is a SAHM and wanted ideas for her little one to do during the day. I am in school and work and know that many other families are the same way and need somewhere to go get ideas for activities. We are are just starting out but already excited about this blog.

Take a look for yourself!!!!

{click picture}

Oh September how I love you....

2012-09-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

I know its still warm and not technically fall yet but once September comes I cant help but smile waiting for the leaves to turn, the cool crisp air and everything that comes with fall. Well my first week of school is finished and was not bad at all. Im thinking this semester will be just fine. I was bummed at first with classes being switched around so much which pushed graduation till next April but that really isnt too far away and the best part will be having my sister home to see that. Discussing graduation with the counselor last week I had a huge smile on my face. I have been doing this for so long and it is so close to being done. What an accomplishment that will be. Girls had dance this morning then got dressed and off to their first day of Pre K. Even if its just changing classes they are excited for this year and new things they will be learning. Im excited for them as well. They get a kick that the 3 of us all go to school. We went to City Creek as a family yesterday for Labor Day and I enjoyed getting to spend time with my mom and dad especially with my mom being gone for the last 2 weeks. I had never been down to City Creek yet so was great to see it all. My mom works at the Key Tower right there in City Creek so we went and looked at her office on the 25th floor. We walked around and also over to Temple Square. My children's favorite part was the Disney Store. They were gasping every other second at this and that. I did wish it was more like the Disney Store I grew up with just more toys and things but all of the dress up was amazing. They are exited to pick something out before we go to Disneyland in March. I am also enjoying my job. I love my co workers and slowly and surely figuring everything out. I will get calls that I know everything to and then Ill get a call that I am baffled with. Its how you learn but all in all I really like it. Well its about that time for me to get things ready to go to work. Cant wait to see all of what Fall has in store for us :)

Update about us :)

2012-08-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

Finally a new post...... So since February my life was perma stress..... worrying about school and trying to find a job to support us and work with school schedule was wearing me down. I did work at Curves for a few months for a couple hours in the afternoon Monday- Friday but was not making money to write home about. I kept praying and looking for something better and would work with school in the mornings 3 times a week come fall.... my lovely mother stumbled upon an ad for a Medical Billing position which I have not done yet but with the last 3 years around Dental and Medical Billing I was a great fit and got the job!!!!!!!!!!! I have finished training and this week have been chair siding to get comfortable to do it on my own. I love the company I am working for and finally a bigger company. I have appreciated the small companies I have worked for the last 3 years but there is a definite difference.

My girls have been in swimming lessons last couple weeks and today started their first pre- ballet and tap class that they LOVED. If you know my girls you know they love to dance and the smiles on their faces today melted my heart. :)

If you know me you know I lost my IPhone on the 4th of July... BUMMER and the worst part was I told myself that I would leave it, silly girl didn't listen to her own conscious lol I have been using my boyfriends old phone waiting until the new IPhone comes out and it died on me and never turned back on so then my mom lent me her old blackberry to use. To add to the technology issues went to turn on my laptop last week and it decided to not work..... SERIOUSLY JESS WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO YOUR ELECTRONICS!!! Computer was a steal from Walmart a couple years ago (since I lost well think I left my old laptop on my car and drove off) and has been good up until now. Acer is not my favorite computer brand but now looking for something else since being a student and having a laptop makes life a whole lot easier.

I will be finishing up school in April next year and can't wait. All this time, stress, tears and studying will finally pay off! Things are finally falling in the right direction and it feels great! I know things happen for a reason and love seeing that coming to life for me....

My next new project is starting a blog with my friend Amanda. We are both moms to 2 beautiful girls and wanted activities that were educational and fun to do and thought it would be even better to share with other moms and families. So click HERE to check out our blog and follow!!!!!

Here are a few pics from our summer so far:

many more posts to come!!!!! I promise :)

-Jess

Excited for a new experience!!!!!

2012-04-24T18:34:00.001-07:00

I had the opportunity to meet with a director of Welcome Baby a program offered by Children's Service Society that helps new moms and families with questions, expectations of their new addition, ideas for games and activities and offer relevant information on community resources. This fall I will be doing my Practicum for my Family Studies major and since I will becoming a Family Life Educator this volunteer work is perfect to add to my experience. A lot of this I am familiar with because we had someone like this come to our home every month and help the girls close the gap in their development milestones since they were 2 months early. With all the help I received from that program or Parent to Parent program at the U of U hospital, it is now a passion of mine to help other families. I feel like I've always been someone who has wanted to help anyone who needed it especially loved ones and friends and now get to help other mothers who want help. I received my Home Visitor Guide and other information that I will be using and now just need to do my online training.

Today has been a great day. Woke up and got the things done for my unemployment insurance and had to call the Dws office. Got ready, and went to my meeting for Welcome Baby. My girls got to play outside with their Papa helping plant in the garden and play with the sprinklers and even a Home Depot run. I cam home made a nice salad for lunch and did some laundry. I also got a tall glass of water, turned on Pandora on the iPad and relaxed out in the sun. Was really relaxing. Girls and I had left over chicken, broccoli and rice for dinner and got them ready for bed, read stories and now picking up. The sun definitely wore them out and without a nap today they are sleepy and ready for bed early :) Now to my online training!!!!!

Enjoying time home with the girls with no school or work. Shall be short lived. Summer school starts May 7 and still trying to find me a job..... Cross your fingers for me

What a beautiful day......

2012-03-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

What a week it has been without my parents home... Man is it a different feeling to not come upstairs and be able to talk to my parents. My girls come to me everyday and say they miss their Ju Ju (Aunt Juli) but tell me she is a missionary teaching people, it is quite cute and yes I miss Ju Ju as well but now with my parents gone I hear 2 little ones tell me they miss their Ju Ju and Grandma and Grandpa. This trip for them has been great thus far but we have had the added bonus of Facetime (thanks Apple) and been able to video chat multiple days in a row which we have never been able to before. Its fun for the girls to get to understand where Paris is and for my parents to describe all they have done so far. Cant wait for them to get back. School semester is coming to a close. This weekend with an empty house, parents gone and girls with their dad is going to be filled with finishing the last of the many papers I have written this semester. A quiet house is exactly what I need to accomplish this. Still looking for a job. With school hours trying to find one has been quite hard and will have the availability for the summer but then will have the same problem with classes in the morning 3 times a week and also adding 9 hours a week for my practicum so we will see what happens there. It has been very nice to have 3 full days with just my girls this week. Doesn't usually happen but have really enjoyed it and getting to spend that alone one on one time with the twins

. Have been thinking about my last post and about sharing everything with my mission to become healthy. I decided that I dont want to be that public about it. I feel like its an area for people who dont have my best interest at heart to see a very vulnerable side of me so I have started my own personal journal and when a milestone or great progress has been made I will definitely share. I am trying to become healthy physically and mentally and change some things and be happy with my life and all the things I am grateful to have and to share.

Received a letter from my sister last week and its crazy how much my little sister inspires me. When things are hard and I am down she has always been right there to remind me that things are ok and picks me up when I am down on myself. I am so grateful for her and her love. It radiates all the way from Texas and can I add she sends such awesome envelopes. If you know my artistic sister you will know her quirky cartoon style pictures and love looking at all the cute drawings that are posted all over when we receive letters. Today is Beautiful and I cant wait to get to enjoy that. Happy Saturday Everyone:)

A new me......

2012-02-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

So the last couple weeks have been all about school and trying to find a new job..... I have decided that as I am starting a new chapter in life with work Im starting a new chapter in life with myself. Since the beginning of this year I have started watching what I am eating, counting calories and working out more. I have never really been one to discuss my body or weight because I have been so embarrassed but have decided this is the year to do something about it. I have had this quest for many years and have done better at some things than others but really just want to get healthy and be happy with myself and for my family. I think that recording my progress is going to be more motivating and actually a good journal to see progress. I want to post once a month about progress, triumphs, hardships and everything in between. Things that have helped and thing that havent. So here we go starting next Thursday March 1st my written conquest of becoming a new and better self.

Can I just say that my lil sidekicks are just blossoming before my eyes. It is so much fun to see the growth and development in their thinking and learning skills. They just know so much and it is fun to sit down and pick their brain about different things. The funnest thing lately is what they learned about Martin Luther King Jr and that he had a dream and wanted everyone to be treated the same. They learned a song and love to sing it around the house and I bought them a book through a book order for them and to see the light they have for him at just 4 years old is just so precious. I love those little girls so much!!!!

Slowly Breaking.....

2012-02-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I found out that I was going to be laid off due to my company being sold and the new company not needing me. Was very frustrated to not know the details of how much longer I had a job because everything was up in the air, and now this week am told by a co worker that Friday is my last day. No one from management has had the respect for me to tell me any of this and have relied on having a co worker who would inform me so that I actually knew. Having a family and no job is scary and hope that this is temporary and a change for the better since I have not really liked my job for months now. I found out a friend of my parents has Stage 3 Lung Cancer the same day I found out i was being laid off. I am so grateful for good health and that my family is healthy but I am just so over whelmed. I have an amazing family and mother who has positive words for me and even friends but I feel with this happening, 15 credit hours at school and just life that im slowly breaking. I hate feeling like this let alone blog about it but just needed a way to get this out. I keep so much inside and its not healthy to do that. I know things happen for a reason and all will be ok but just need a way to get out of this funk that im in.

......well I think I am done with this rant..... time will tell all

So I update my sister Missionary blog and not mine... I see a problem with that!!!

2012-01-10T14:17:00.000-08:00

I am known for going missing for months and months on here but if I can update my sister's blog I can surely update mine. I am going a little batty trying to organize my life with work and school. I am taking 15 credit hours and working close to 30 hours a week and Im trying to find my balance. I know things are crazy but to think at the end of the year I will get to graduate and walk and get a Bachelors Degree makes it all worth it!!!! The Holidays were great! I had so much fun spending time with my family, my little family and Brandon's family. Def missed my sister but her phone call was great and she is so happy to be in Texas it makes it all that much better.Even though im super busy I have been finding time to let the crafty girl inside me out and making a lot of the fun things I see on Pinterest for my little home. My newest project is a reading corner for my girls. I saw a fun way to make a book shelf out of wood spice racks from Ikea but having gone there Saturday and seeing that they are over sold I need to think of something else to make the book shelf. I did get a fun rug and oversized pillow for the corner that Im excited about!! Im not that creative we all know this but I enjoy it and its my way to get away from my school and work time. Ive always been jealous of all these women I know that are so creative and artistic (my sister being one!) but I do what I can.

Well here is my first of hopefully many more posts to come for the time being..... this stressful day at work just got better with a little time out to blog :)

Ready for school to start.......

2011-07-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would say this but I want school to start already...... This summer has been fun and full of family adventures now that I have dropped my sister off and she is gone its time to do work!!! I want school to start and get into my set routine again. It will be a bust routine but I love knowing what my days will be filled with. I am ordering the books I need this weekend and the only other thing to do before school starts is find me a new car. I think I have narrowed it down so hopefully not having to wait too long for that to happen. I am excited to start my Major classes. I have waited a long time for it and excited to be learning the things I want to now not just general requirement classes. Its also weird to think Ill be done with school before my sister comes home...im not gonna lie I am liking that ill be done first. I didnt think I was going to be able to say that seeing that my sis is almost finished. My little girls are so excited for their new class to start September 1st. I love that they are excited for school and how much they love the kids and people there :)

Sisters are put in our lives for reasons. My sister is my inspiration. She amazes me everyday and im grateful for having such a strong, intelligent, loving, passionate sister. Dropping her off at the MTC yesterday the only word to describe was quick. Get out of the car gave a hug and off she went. I hate that things are so amazing between us now and she is leaving but so excited for all the things that are going to come about during these next 18 months for the 2 of us. To think my little girls will be 5, def not gonna be little anymore!!!

Talking about my little ones..... life for them is amazing! I have said so many times they are now just little people and the more time goes on the more I see that in them. The things they come up with and say and the way they are is so amazing. I had 2 weddings to go to yesterday, my old roommate and my neighbor Colton's wedding. I took Layna with me to my roommates ring ceremony up in Midway and Cam went with my parents to Colton's Wedding and I met up with my family later on in the evening. On our way down Parleys Layna kept telling me how much she missed her sister. It had only been a couple hours but one of the most amazing things about my girls is the bond they have with one another. If one is sick, sad, or tired it doesn't matter the other wants them to be better happy and playing. They fight like all siblings do especially over toys but even so they wouldn't want it any other way. They love their sissy just like I love mine!!!

A pic from Colton's Wedding last night (Layna and Ash)

Ok so I really have a reason to be blogging now.....

2011-07-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed this summer and especially since most of it has been with my family. Finally having my sister home from school and time to enjoy her before her big day (one week from today!!!) It is nice to kinda get out of my routine of looking for things to do during the weekend outside the home and be able to be busy with whatever crazy adventure we decide to do. I am trying to do as much as I can for my family before sissy leaves because I know its gonna be a hard day. My parents are going to be wrecks!!!! Especially my dad they have such a strong bond. I am excited that I was appointed Juli's blogger while she was gone. I have started creating the blog and excited for what it will be about. All the stories and everything that is going on while my sister is serving on her mission :) We went last week and I took mission pictures for her. I was pretty proud since she is the photographer in the family. I had such a great day with her, I also took her down to Provo to a place she read in Food Network Magazine called Sammy's that is famous for their pie shakes..... it was a little dive of a place but it was fun atmosphere and the food was delicious!!!! I have missed having so many adventures with my sister and love the relationship we have now versus while we were young. I am so excited for her and know she is going to love these next 18 months...... Cant wait for this weekend, Juli's Firework party, farewell, and family time even with my own little family!!!

My goal is to blog every time I blog for my sister.... we will see how this goes with my first semester back at school full time and working :) Time to put my big girl pants on!!!

A great weekend.....

2011-05-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was a little bummed to say good bye to my family while they went on vacation but so excited for them. It was my dad's 60TH BIRTHDAY last Saturday and they boarded the cruise on my parents 30TH ANNIVERSARY. I had the idea I wanted to do something special for them to celebrate these 2 important milestones. I decided to get a gift package for them while they are on the cruise. It had sparkling cider and cupcakes in the room when they got there the first day and different goodies and breakfast in bed and a picture from the cruise in a frame that they are going to get while they are there. I sure do miss the heck out of them. This last weekend was such a great one!!!! On Friday night I hung out with a close girlfriend then woke up Saturday to go to my appt for a pedi and facial that my mom bought me...... It was FABULOUS! It was so needed and peaceful until I walked out and saw the down pour in Murray. I met Brandon and got the girls and my friend Brook and we hung out for a little bit until we went to Brandon's Football game. I had to laugh and smile at how excited and supportive my girls were for their dad and watching him play..... they were so LOUD it was so cute to watch. Im glad the weather was good for us and we didnt get rained on. That night I hung out with friends and we had one great night at my house! It was windy Sunday but it was nice to sit out and watch the girls play on their new scooters. They have such a fun time. I am still getting me and the girls over a cold we have had and I have been so drained lately that I hope it goes away soon. I have loved making dinner and sitting down with just my girls this week. Great bonding time.

On another note I want to know why I have had such crazy, and scary dreams lately. This week has been horrible. Pretty close to the crazy ones I had while I was pregnant. :) Its a cold gloomy day and was thinking about what to make for dinner and Brandon gave me the idea for soup. MMMMMMMM cant wait I think that will be just what we need today.

ok now back to what I was doing!!!

A Picture of the first gift from the package I got my parents

A video of the girls on Sunday out on the scooters (dont mind my voice in the background :)

Day thirteen something I'm afraid of....

2011-05-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Well if you know me I am very afraid of spiders lol but on a deeper note something big I am afraid of is being a let down as a mother. I was young when I had the girls and being a single mother to twins puts a big stigma on me. That I will be low income uneducated and struggle to provide for my family. I am doing what I can for this not to happen. School is a killer. It is so hard for me to study for a class because the time allowed for it is after 9:00 usually and that is the time I am tired and want to go to bed. I am determined to get this degree if it kills me. I have but too much time and effort to not come out with a Bachelors Degree plus the opportunities that it can open for a job. I can't wait for the day that I am married, a college graduate and steady on my feet that will be a great achievement for my family. i am def not a perfect mother but there are things I am working on to help me as well as my little ones. Another thing I am afraid of is being alone. I am surrounded by family at the house but when my girls are up with their dad is a lonely feeling. They are my 3 favorite people and it's hard to be without them. Many have said it would be nice for the break but after you have done it every other weekend for years it's not all that great because I'd rather be with them. They are my best friends and since im lacking in the friend dept they are really the things I love to surround myself with. I am so excited my sister has moved home. Having her here makes things much better and need to get my time in before she leaves for 18 months. I have seen pretty much all my friends get married and awaiting that chapter in my life. Being 45 mins from your partner is rough, but it's livable just def not ideal since I see him usually once a week. I'm grateful for him in my life and take any time I can with him.

Mothers day 2011- my babes are such a fun age right now. They are proud of their momma and it was fun to do breakfast at school for mothers day and all the stuff they make me. Puts the biggest smile on my face :) they did give me a cold on mothers day but seeing them at church singing to me made up for that. I love my little girls so much. Children are truly a blessing!!!!

Moms and Muffins day at school :)

day twelve... a photo of me taken ten years ago :)

2011-05-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

So when I think back to 10 years ago, 2 people come to mind: Chelsie Lorence (D'Amico) and Janalee Allred (Matheson). We were the 3 amigos for sure! We did everything together and it was definitely nice having 2 best friends so close. I have so many seriously so many memories with these girls. Chelsie blogged about Roberts closing the other day and it brought back those memories and getting gelly pens and walking around the parking lot down there. I love these girls and so glad I grew up with them at my side :)

********on a side note I posted on day nine about a favorite place, Paradise Point. I was looking for a picture of me 10 years ago and ran into a picture from when my sister and I were young taken at Paradise Point. When we went back in 2009 my sister and I took another picture recreating the one from years before. Here it is .... I thought it was pretty cute :)

***** on an extra side note.... again while looking for a picture today I found these 2. One taken 1990 the other 2009 :) Gotta love it haha I just looked and you can hardly see me in the one from 1990 but im in there lol

semester done, back in action!!!

2011-03-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

Ok so when school gets crazy and I have a lot of homework blogging takes a side note... now that the semester is over I keep sitting here scared that I have homework to do but I dont so im going to blog. I will do a post about Easter next weekend when my sister moves home and I can upload the pics from her camera. This weekend was great! I had myself my own 3 day weekend. On Thursday I went to work for the day picked up my girls from daycare and headed up to Logan to see my sister. We got there about 7:30 then I got my sister and we went to find some dinner. My sister was not the best helper trying to figure it out so we finally went to Jimmy Johns. They didnt have her bread so we left and went to this other local sandwich place it was closed lol so we ended up getting Chick Fil A. We came home and tried to watch Greys Anatomy was a little hard to watch with my girls all over exploring my sister's house. I finally put my girls to bed watched a little more TV and we went to bed. In the morning my sister had to work for a few hours so I drove her up to campus so she wasnt late and came back to her house and finished watching Beauty and the Beast with my girls. Got us ready and went to the mall. Looked at a couple stores and then I found the little play area for the kids. My girls LOVED IT! Layna was even asked by a little boy for her phone number.... her response was 3 lol I didnt know little boys start so young these days. I am sure in trouble with Miss Layna she is such a FLIRT... even at daycare!! We then picked up my sister from work and went to Chillis for lunch and took a good nap when we got home. I packed up the girls stuff and met Brandon in Brigham City for his weekend with the girls. I went back to Logan and spent one more night with her. We went up on campus for an Aggie Fest. They renamed a street Aggie Blvd and had a bunch of live bands play and Sean Kingston to end it all. It got pretty cold during the middle of the show (it was outside) so we went and got some late dinner. In the morning I helped pack up some of the big items my sister needed to move home and drove back to Salt Lake. I did a few errands and came home. I had a dinner that night to celebrate a friend's birthday and hung out with some other friends then called it a night. It is beautiful outside today the sun is so refreshing!!! I am happy school is over for a couple months and I can focus on some things I have wanted to do at home and with my girls. I never finished the 30 day challenge so this is me resuming from where I left off :)

day eleven... Favorite TV shows...

oh man this def is a hard one for me.... i watch so many different kind of TV shows

Old ones i still watch as reruns on the SOAP net...

One tree hill

Gilmore Girls

Food shows.....

DINERS DRIVE INS and DIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cupcake Wars

Chopped

Dinner Impossible

Next Food Network Star

Reality Shows

The VOICE!!!

American Idol

Audrina

Teen Mom

Dancing with the Stars

Drama

Greys Anatomy

Desperate Housewives

Glee

I have more but cant think of the rest right now :)

day nine.... A place I love...

2011-03-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

When it comes to a place I love it definitely is with the people I love. I dont always get to see those who I truely love so when I do it means a lot and definitely a place I love to be. As for an actual place I love that would be Paradise Point, which used to be Princess Resort in San Diego, California. My earliest memories on vacation with my family are to this resort. I remember the rooms, the ponds, the pools, the ducks, the bike rides, the Barefoot Bar and Grill, the sand, the walks and of course time spent with my family. It is a magical place! Its a place you can be for a week and forget about the outside world. The best part of this place is 2 summers ago I got to take my little girls to this special place, not to stay at the resort but to walk around, feed the ducks and remember, remember how even the simpliest things can bring so much happiness to me. I can not wait till I am able to go back and stay there!!!!

These are pictures from our last trip there....

day eight.... A hobby of mine!

2011-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am not someone who has that one thing they are known for doing like a sports, scrapbooking, art, photography, singing or dancing. That is just not me. Now I wish I was really good at some of those things and many around me are amazing at them but I think my true real hobby is doing make up. I have loved make up since my first little kit my mom got me when I was a child. I remember middle school days and white eye liner, my cappuccino lip gloss and it grew from there. I remember buying my first MAC eyeshadow, it was vanilla :) MAC amazes me everytime I walk into their store or up to their counter. I love the artistic vision that comes with make up, the colors its so much fun! Since I was in middle school I was the friend that did the other friends make up. I wish I had the collection that I could do full face make up for all my friends all the time and maybe one day I will. It definitely is a dream job for me. Taking classes and getting even better at it. I watch a make up guru on youtube all the time. Her name is Aubrey. I can sit for hours learning more and more ways to do things or what products work best. I love that every time i'm with my friend Dawny she insists that I do her make up. Makes me happy that I get to do it on someone besides myself. Even her roommate wants me to teach her. So out of all the amazing things people around me do, my hobby I enjoy to do is make up !!!!!!

day seven..... an animal id love to keep as a pet...

2011-03-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was young I have loved monkeys and or gorillas. I read and had to do a report on Koko the gorilla who knew sign language when I was young and right then is when I fell in love with all kinds of monkeys. I was so mesmerized by Koko and loved how nurturing she was, even to a little kitten :) Monkeys are amazing to watch I could do it for hours. Swinging through trees and even their mannerisms are just hilarious to watch.... this is a little bit of a strange post but gotta love them monkeys :)

Day six.... My celebrity crush :)

2011-03-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure if you know me even a little bit you will know that my celebrity crush is this man.....
Dwight Howard.

He is a NBA Basketball Player for the Orlando Magic. I am obsessed with this man and not afraid to show it :) He is a great basketball player and asset to the Magic but the thing I like most is how great of a person he is. He has a scholarship program for kids who attend this alma mater Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, and grants to an elementary and middle school. He also has a basketball camp for youth that he does every summer. He recently in October came out with a kids CD of 11 songs which encourages kids to chase their dreams. The proceeds from that CD are going to the BETACenter. He is active in his church and has an extremely great heart. He loves his fans. Its nice to have someone you look up to who cares about his fans. I know people think im crazy for liking him so much but he is a good hearted celebrity and that is definitely few and far between and why he is my celebrity crush .... well his looks are pretty nice too :)
I have had a great couple of weeks. My aunt came into town and my sister was home for her spring break 2 weeks ago. It was definitely a great week and weekend. My aunt is an amazing cook and her with the help of my SISTER and some from my dad made homemade everything. I love being Sicilian. This past week was my spring break. On Tuesday I went and Volunteered at the U of U hospital with the Parent to Parent program. It is a program for mothers who are on bedrest on the hospital or parents who have children in the NBICU. I did both at this hospital and the Parent to Parent program helped me in that long 13 weeks we were involved at the hospital. Becky is in charge and I was able to help her do the Antepardum luncheon. We made survivor necklaces to show all that we have and will go through during the stay at the hospital. It was so much fun and a great experience cant wait to go back on Thursday. I also had a very very short notice spur of the moment little vaca with a friend. I figured that I wasn't going to be able to go on trips for awhile due to work and other trips that have some stuff come up so I decided to go. It was a nice getaway and def had a blast!!!! Now back to work, school and everything else called REALITY.......

day four and five....

2011-03-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

Day four....

Meaning behind my blog name.

I wish I could say that I had some extremely creative and story behind my blog name. But as you can see jessicaslittlefamily is very self explanatory. I had thought a lot about it before I picked it but decided that it was a way for family and friends to see how my family was doing so that was enough for me for a blog name. Maybe once my family gets bigger i'll change it up and have some super cool creative blog name.

Day five.....My parents

I am grateful to have the parents that I do.

My mom- I remember hearing as a child listen to your parents they know best. When I was a teenager I definitely thought I was smarter than my mother. Little did I know I wasn't. She knows it all :) She has so much love for her family. She will do anything for us. She works so hard at a job that she is amazing at and still comes home to her husband, myself and my babies. I have loved how much our relationship has grown since I was that know it all teenager. I think that having children helped that as well. She has taught me so much and how to be a great person, mother and friend and I am grateful to her for that.

My dad- Boy do I have a great dad. I think my favorite thing about my dad is hearing all the million of stories he has from a fun and eventful life he has lived thus far. My sister and I want to get him a tape recorder to record all of his amazing memorable stories. He can be stubborn ( that is where I get it) but most of the time he is thinking about others and things that he could do to help him. He is such a social butterfly. His job allows him to talk to 100s of people a day and I know he gets a kick out of it. He is definitely an "Sicilian." He gets made fun of for his use of hand gestures while he talks. It makes me laugh. He is a great cook! Food is something that brings our family together. Being Sicilian and growing up with big grandma making dinners every week my dad and his sisters have become great cooks. We all get together and cook and my sister and I learn from the best :)

My parents have helped me more than I could ever express. They have given my daughters and myself somewhere to live and a place to run and grow. I will forever be indebted to my parents.

I love them!!!

Day three....

2011-03-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

Pet peeves.....

I almost dont even want to do this post..... from other blogs I have read I kinda feel like this blog is a space for someone to write all the things they dont like about other people. I can see that as being a pet peeve but thats definitely not how I want to write this blog, so I am deciding to write pet peeves I have with myself....

....i have said this before but I am too sensitive, dont get me wrong its not always a bad thing but there is a time and place to be sensitive and I do need to build a little bit thicker skin so that things dont hurt me so much that really shouldnt be

.... i stress at things or situations that I shouldnt. I am in a class that is helping me so much with this. Realizing that its me doing it to myself has really started to change my mindset on it, and relaxation exercises have really helped.

.... since having children I have a harder time being on time to things. I am not always late but my mom instilled being punctual since I was young and its definitely something I would like to work harder on.

....my self confidence level. It has never been where I want it to be and only person who can change that is me. Not worrying to much what others are thinking or saying about me. I know my self worth I just need to be better at showing others this as well.

....PROCRASTINATION.... man school work is so hard for me to not procrastinate. This semester has been actually pretty good in that department but something I always have to keep working on so that I get that paper declaring me a graduate!!

....having effective time management. I had to do an assignment for that in class and I noticed that if I have better time management so much more is done and accomplished. Thats always a great feeling!

....not voicing my opinion. I dont always have a hard time with that depends on the person or situation I am in. Everyone else has an opinion and I should be fine and not feel guilty or think it will start something with someone.

i know there are many more but for the time being this will be all.... got to get back to what I was doing :)

ITS FRIDAY!!!!

dAy TwO......

2011-03-10T19:01:00.000-08:00

What is my favorite movie......

Ever since I was in middle school and saw Save

the Last Dance it has been my favorite movie. I could sit and watch it over and over agai

n for hours... well i actually have done this.... lol I love movies and have many that I love. Like I said yesterday in my post there are 3 other favorite movies that I have. Love and Basketball, The Wood and Brown Sugar. I watched The Wood for the first time in Brandon's apartment when we went to snow so it kinda turned into "our movie." Then we found Love and Basketball and Brown Sugar and those 2 have also become "our movies." I love

having pretty much the same cast or actors in these movies. It actually brought us to our song which is This Womans Work by Maxwell. I love that song!!! So when I am asked what my favorite movie is its a little hard to give a straight answer cause 4 of them are really all my favorite :)