I Need Your Help!!!

Howdy all-
Being as this is the season of giving, I have decided to have a more Christ-like Christmas at my house. In this spirit, I am trying to do a large scale service project. Please check out the following link and let me know if you are interested in helping me out. I probably won't be ready by Christmas, but we can start up in the new year. This is a great organization and would be a very simple way to give back to the world and pay it forward. It's not time consuming and all talents are welcome. Let me know if you would like to help by emailing me at timandkatiej@gmail.com. Or, you can just give me a call, or whatever.... Help me help these little munchkins-and Merry Christmas.

http://www.conkerrcancer.org/

NEW!

Just want you to know that there are new pictures at www.jellybeanjunctionphotos.blogspot.com.
Check it out!

Thankful for...

I am thankful. Period. That's it. I found myself grumping around yesterday about my roots showing and about my job stinking and about the trashy, slow people at WalMart that extended my shopping time because they are slow. Then I thought to myself- Katie Jean (that's what I call myself ...) SHUT UP! You should be thankful that a.) you have hair to complain about. b.) you have a job and c.) you have a WalMart. So, I am thankful. This year, I have so MUCH to be grateful for. So here goes....pay attention, you might be in here. I AM THANKFUL FOR... 1. the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. An amazing husband. 3. Awesome parents who get more dear to my heart everyday. 4. Super duper in-laws. 5. Brothers who are also some of my best friends. 6. Mrs. Buffy. 7. Nieces and nephews. 8. Forever Families. 9. Sistas from other mistas- Rachel Ann, my Jessicas, Jenn and the rest of you. 10. A cute little house. 11. My Job. Most days. 12. Fun customers that are also friends. 13. Cough syrup. 14. Good hair. 15. Grandmas. 16. Fuzzies 17. Potatoes. Shhh. 18. the time I spent with Palin. 19. Temples. 20. Sunbeams. 21. Ipods. 22. Pianos. 23. Thrift Stores. 24. Cell phones. 25. sunglasses. 26. snowflakes. 27. fabric stores. 28. the color red. 29. squirrelys. 30. Tim. Oh wait, I already mentioned him? Well, then I am SUPER thankful for him.
I could keep going...but my time at the library is running out. :) oh yeah. 31. Libraries.
So, this year....be thankful. not for anything specific, but just thankful. My Heavenly Father gives me trials on a daily basis that I pay attention to, but He also blesses me EVERY DAY! So, here I am....thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.

Love is having a Grandma Hippo

Yes, I love this little hippo...

I've never been sure why I've called her that, but I have always called her Grandma Hippo. She has been sooooo sick lately and it breaks my little pea pickin heart. It has been a great opportunity to reflect on all the things that she has done for me and helped me to be.

First of all, Grandma taught me that having hair in your face is bad. It doesn't matter if that is the style or you just don't care, she always had a tacky, little, plastic barrette to pin my bangs back.

Grandma also taught me that it's not necessarily a bad thing to swallow water from the canal. You shouldn't actively drink it, but unlike Mrs. Swagger, Grandma never told me that I was going to die or be severly deformed because I like to swim in the canal.

Popsicles are okay for breakfast. Nuff said.

Said popsicles must have a paper towel square underneath them.

Pig tails are still an acceptable way to do your hair, not matter how old you are.

If you are 80 years old, you can eat whatever you want.

Little old ladies are excused from everything. That's just the way it works.

Everything can be fixed with a bandaid, a barrette or a needle.

(and a popsicle)

Toys that make loud noises are great revenge.

You must wear nylons. Women who don't...welll.....

If you drink, chances are, you will be made fun of FOREVER.

(aka Mark Lutz)

Just because the world is going to end doesn't mean you won't need toilet paper.

A flour sack dish towel can be used for EVERYTHING.

Wagons are an acceptable mode of transportation. So are lawnmowers. And roller skates.

If mom says no, chances are...Grandma will say yes.

And last but not least-

Love your family. They will choose your nursing home. :)

All joking aside-my grandma is an amazing person. She is a kindred spirit and I will love her forever and ever and ever and ever. She is the kindest person that I know and the closer she gets to heaven, the more I can see her little heart of gold shine through.

There. Reminiscing done. Now, I have to get on with life and go be a strong person.

Jellybean Junction is Here and you're all invited!

Just wanted to invite you all you to view and follow my newest venture...
www.jellybeanjunctionphotos.blogspot.com
I love any and all comments you have-one way or the other.
Also, I am considering doing Halloween shots - what do you think?

The Benefits of Being Us... Just us.

The Childless Couple
Okay, so I have spent wayyy too long dwelling on the fact that I am obviously not meant to be someone's mommy. In the last little while, I have come to the realization that this is not necessarily a bad thing all the time. So, I have decided that I am going to blog today on the benefits of being DINKs. (double income, no kids)

1. Just that! Two paychecks, no human responsibilities.

2. We can sleep through the night.

3. Only 2 suitcases to pack.

4. We can get up and go whenever and wherever we feel like it.

5. No diapers or barf.

6. No macaroni and cheese.

7. I get to watch Disney movies because I WANT TO!

8. Blissfully shopping.

9. Clean car.

10. I get to keep my parents all to myself.

11. We are the favorite aunt and uncle.

12. More time to spend with each other.

13. I don't have to get anyone ready for church but me.

14. I only have to entertain one person during sacrament meeting- Tim. :)

15. No diapers or barf.

However, there are disadvantages... for example...I think that my husband will be the greatest dad ever! My parents deserve to have more grandkids. I want to sew baby clothes. All of our friends have kids and hang out with other people that HAVE KIDS. There are so many negatives about this whole situation, but there are also a lot of positives. So for those of you that feel bad for me, stop. I am happy. I am blissfully happy. How many girls get to be married to Superman? (who, might I add, is my best friend in the whole world..) And maybe, someday, I'll even have a cat! ;)

Hugs and kisses to all!

Things that make a small town girl happy...

I have officially decided that there is no better way to spend a weekend than doing things that make you smile. Life is way too short to stress out about all of the garbage. So, this weekend, I took a break from the fast lane that I call my life and spent my Saturday having fun. Tim and I went to the "grown-up" side of the Idaho Falls Roaring Youth Jam. We went to the car show, watched the boat races and had a heck of a time! It helped me re-discover that simple things really can make you smile! I am so in love with Tim, with being outside, with classic cars, with life! Funny, how a few shiny cars, a snowcone and spending the day with your best friend can make all the little annoyances and stresses in your life dissappear!