For Clarification...

A few peeps have asked why Jake's in China, so I'll try to explain. ;) As part of his Masters Program at BYU, he's been able to take a China Megastructures class. I'm probably going to slaughter the explanation of what exactly he's doing for it, but I'll give it a shot. Their group will be/has been doing case studies and structural analysis on several skyscrapers, bridges, dams, etc. Of course they've been able to do some tourist-y things while there too, but anyway. He's having a blast, and says he's learned a lot.


Another question people have been asking--WHY CHINA? Well, as Jake tells me, there are quite a few engineering projects over there that haven't been accomplished anywhere else in the world. Mainly due to labor issues, or I guess lack thereof. People make about $150 a month to work for who knows how many hours a day, living in temporary housing on these construction sites. Jake said the conditions are just awful, but the people are happy because it's better than anything else they could find, and it's better than being homeless and/or jobless. Crazy!


Anyway, that's the gist of it, anyway. I'm excited to see his pictures, I'll make sure you get some of his side of the story when he gets back.

Give it up for the YOUTH!

I just want to give a HUGE shout out to the youth and leaders of our ward tonight! What an awesome surprise that for the combined YM/YW activity they all came over and pulled at least a million weeds, mowed my lawn, weed wacked, the whole nine yards! I am so thankful! They definitely had their work cut out for 'em. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

President Kimball said it best "...The Lord does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other. The righteous life is achieved as we magnify our view of life, and expand our view of others and of our own possibilities. Thus, the more we follow the teachings of the Master, the more enlarged our perspective becomes. We see many more possibilities for service than we would have seen without this magnification. There is great security in spirituality, and we cannot have spirituality without service!"

I'm so glad that Jake has had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to China, but I'll admit it's been stressful at times without him. I've realized how much I rely on him. I've been praying that I can have the energy to get things done while he's away, but I never dreamed that I would be blessed with an increase of not only my energy, but the energy of 30 some-odd youth! The yard has particularly been a source of stress, because that's one of the big things he usually takes care of. I know I wouldn't have been able to get nearly as much done in the yard on my own. I'm pretty sure I'd be out there for days...probably even weeks! I'm even a little embarrassed to say that I don't even know how to start the lawn mower! ;) I'm so glad I have such great people around me that are so willing to serve. It's hard sometimes to admit that you need help, so I'm grateful for people who are in tune with the spirit enough to know that I was in need. :)
I hope those kids and leaders feel the blessings that come from service, and know that they are GREATLY appreciated!!!

Happy Wednesday! :)
PS-I'll take some pics of the yard tomorrow when it's light outside. I should've done before and after, but we'll just do the after. :)

China Update (via Katie)

So Jake was planning on blogging during his trip to China, but apparently it's ridiculous trying to get online over there, so you're stuck with a second hand account. Sorry. :)

Things are going well for him, and he's having a blast. Most of the time as of yet has been spent traveling, with layover after layover it took him a good while to fly to Beijing. They had to fly into Seoul, Korea first and the breakfast options on the plane were octopus and rice, or an omlet. His opinion was that octopus was more of a lunch item, so he opted for the omlet. Mind you, this is coming from a guy who sent his mom a picture of him eating a tomato on his mission. But we won't go into how sensitive Jake's palate is. :) I told him I'd be interested to see what exotic foods he'll be willing to try while he's there. Duck is so far the most "out there" food he's tried while there, but that's pretty good for him.

Their group has gone to the market a couple of times, and the first time was a learning experience. The little ladies that barter with you are apparently anxious to give you back change. Well, Jake luckily had smaller bills and didn't need change, but a couple guys in their group didn't realize until they were back at their hotel that they were given Russian currency, which is worth less than Yen (is that how you spell it?). So they learned their lesson there.

And for those who know Jake well know that he likes to argue just for the sake of arguing sometimes, so he gets a kick out of bartering. He thought it entertaining that one of the little old ladies called him a cheapskate, and then proceeded to yell something at him in Chinese after he walked away from a good deal. He thought that was pretty funny.

Just a few of the places he's been already... (pictures courtesy of the internet:) )

The Forbidden City, which is kind of what my sheltered little "never left the country" mind thinks of when I think of China. He's also been to The Great Wall. You don't hear that every day. "Hey, I went to the Great Wall today." That's hard to top! It made my report of doing the dishes and getting some yard work done seem a little less than exciting. :) He said it's so much cooler than any picture he's seen. "It was just awesome." was all he could say. I'm wondering how much hiking he did that day! Wowsers!

When I talked to him this morning they were on their way to three gorges dam, which looks pretty amazing, especially to a civil engineer. I'll definitely post more about that when I talk to him next. Stay tuned for more!

Please tell me...

I just wanna know....WHO CAN RESIST THESE FACES?! ANYONE?

"NOT I," SAID THEIR MAMA....

Happy Anniversary!!

Has it been FIVE YEARS already!?! Happy Anniversary, Jake! I never knew I could love someone so much. You make me happy....you're an amazing Dad, hubby, and are just plain easy to love. Thanks for being you, I sure love you!

Here's to Eternity!! LOVE YOU!!

From the mouth of Babes...

Jentri just plain cracks me up sometimes. I could seriously write a book with all of the things she says that make me smile. Here are a few of my favorites from the last couple of weeks: (*Sidenote, the pics don't really have anything to do with anything in the post, I just liked 'em. Ok, moving on... 'sorry to slow you down' :)*)

**This one happened today... For some reason it's been a fight to get her in her high chair to eat breakfast, so I tried saying that Emma and I were going to eat if she wanted to come. When she still wouldn't come, I said, "Let's go eat, Jen." She threw herself to the floor and started crying, saying, "NOOOO, DON'T EAT ME!!!" I couldn't hold back the laughter, I'm so mean! And for the record, NO we are not cannibals, nor do we eat our young. :) I guess I'll just have to remember to emphasize the comma next time I say that. Let's go eat COMMA, Jen :) Too funny...

**"Side up down" = upside down

** "I can have that?" = Can I have that?

**I asked her to pick up some of her toys and put them away, and she replied in a teenager-ish tone, "hang on to a sec, mom." Well alrighty then. :)

**A lot of days you can tell she's missin' her daddy when she says, "Oh-no, I wost my dad! Gotta fine my dad!" Cute pic of Jen & Jake...I love watching them together...

**I went in her room Easter morning saying, "Do you know what today is? Today's Easter, Jen!" Eyes wide and smile big, she excitedly jumped up in her bed and yelled "Cock-a-doodle-do!" I loved that she got so excited that today was 'Rooster' :) 'Cock-a-doodle-do' to you too, sweet Jen.

**Lately we've had many a conversation like these:

(While giving her a bath a few mornings ago)

Jen: "Wass dat, mom?"

Mama: "What's what, Jen?"

Jen: "Wass diss?" (shows me her cup full of water)

Mama: "That's water."

Jen: "What kine a wah-er?"

Mama: "Bath water."

Jen: "What kine a batt wah-er?"

Mama: "Uh....warm kind I guess" (Mom changes subject before she has to think of more to say)

Another one at the dinner table:

Jen: "What you got, Mom?" (referring to my drink)

Mama: "Apple juice."

Jen: "What kine a apple juice?"

Mama: "Wal-Mart kind."

Jen: "What kine a woa-mott?"

Mama: "Like the store."

Jen: "What kine a sto?"

AND SO IT GOES.....

Who says I need adult interaction when I have Jen around?! :)

What we've been up to!

Man, it's definitely time for a new post! It feels like we've been going non-stop the last few weeks! Our extended families are probably so sick of us, so it's a good thing they like seeing our kids! :) Well, here are just a few pics from the last few weeks...
Emma's first trip to the park. She loved it as you can see. :) She didn't like the wind blowing in her face much, so we kept her covered most of the time. Exciting! :) Don't worry though, Jentri gave her the play by play so she didn't miss anything. She'd say, "Emma, I go on da swide now," or , "Wook Emma, I swingin." Jake and Jen had fun if nothin' else. Jentri would stay at the park forever if it were up to her. She always cries when we go to leave.

She loves going on the "swide" by herself. My little Miss Independent. When did my baby become a little girl?! She's growing up too fast.

What better way to start off a busy day than by going to a baptism?! I can't believe my niece Sydney's old enough! We loved being able to share such a special day with her. She was so happy and grinning from ear to ear all day. She's always had such a strong spirit, and I think it was only strengthened by her being baptized. She even told her mom that she had been "waiting for 7 years to be baptized." So cute! Love ya, Squidder!

After the baptism it was off to Fat Cats bowling alley to celebrate Grandma Price's birthday. This was Jen's first time bowling, and she had so much fun! She wanted to "help" everyone bowl and gave her fair share of high 5's to everyone. What a cutie.

Then a couple weekends ago we were lucky enough to see the broadway show WICKED with some of my fam at Capital Theatre. It was AMAZING!! I absolutely LOVE this show! Such awesome music, great story, way cool sets, and did I mention I loved it!?! I hear I shouldn't read the book cause it's bad, but this show is awesome! This is actually our second time seeing it, but I'd go again and again if I could! (And you'd go with me every time, right Jake? ;))We saw it in Denver when Jen was 2 mos old for our anniversary, and again when Emma's 2 mos old. Kinda fun! Thanks Zac & Beth for watching the girls!

We ate at Rumbi Island grill before the show, and got a pic of the Snarr girls in front of the theater. SO FUN!

And last but not least, we were able to get some awesome pics of Emma taken. It was a win win situation for all of us. Christy and Adrienne needed a baby to advertise the newborn tutus and Christy's photo business, and I just happened to have a newborn so got some great pics! Thanks again, Christy! Her friend Adrienne makes way cute onesies and tutus and all sorts of fun stuff and sells them on her website http://www.stitcheroos.blogspot.com/ Check it out! And check out Christy's blog for more pics of Emma http://cheapshotsllc.blogspot.com/

How'd I get such a pretty girl!?! She's so fun, I can't believe she'll be 3 mos old next week! Time flies when you're having fun!