Creative Differences. I'm Creative, You're Different.

Family photos and I have a love/hate relationship.  I love doing them on a regular basis because the kids have decided to continue growing and it goes so fast that photos are about the only way I can remember  that they were once sweet and innocent.  I hate doing pictures because I have an obsession of not doing the same thing twice when it comes to settings and themes and it's starting to get stressful trying to find something new.  Everyone does parks, desert, and downtown back alley photo shoots.  We've done them and right now I'm done with them.  I've been wanting something truly unique for awhile but out here in the wastelands, the options are few and far between.
It's no secret I have a slightly morbid fetish with odd and unusual things, so when I found this gem of a location I knew it was where I wanted our pictures taken.  Yes, it's true, while scouting the grounds I trespassed on private property, got busted, ended up talking to the owner, and after some heavy pleading got his blessing to be able to do this.  Hopefully you can appreciate it for all it's 'Jen-ness.'  Just remember, behind every scowl and straight face, we really do like each other. 
Here is a sampling of our faves: 

If we were musicians, these first photos would be our album cover. (Per Brynna)

I'm thinking in this next photo, it would've been complete with Jason holding a shotgun.

Before you get all crabby and de-friend me, just imagine your little 3 year old in this pose with some bloody scissors.  SO. CUTE.

Okay, so here are some less dramatic ones...the perfect little family shots.  Just remember, behind every smile and hug, we really can't stand each other.

 I have to give kudos to our photographer, Ryan C. McGinley.  His heart and talent lie with landscape photography, yet was up for the challenge of something new and edgy.  He did a great job of not outwardly judging me for my selection of location and dealt with all my pickiness.  Amazing and pure talent no matter what he's shooting on the other side of the camera.

Sometimes Seeing Is Believing

Today at church the topic in sacrament was about the resurrection.  In our religion, we believe at death the body and spirit separate.  We also believe through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected.  Resurrection is the reuniting of the spirit with the body in a perfect, immortal state, no longer subject to disease or death. Alma 11: 43-44:  "The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.  Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not be so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame."
  I always viewed the resurrection as a great hope for my insecurities in the lack of perfection in my own self image, or for the aspect of not having to count carbs every time I eat due to diabetes and in trying to manage weight.  And maybe that's part of it, but I was off the mark in getting the big picture.  Our speaker today spoke truth and pure doctrine.  I find it interesting I use those terms because I don't remember a thing she said.  Once she said the word 'resurrection' it was her physical presence and example as well as others' around me that conveyed the message.At the front of the chapel speaking in a microphone was a blind woman who spoke of hope in the resurrection in her talk and testimony as her fingers flowed across a page written in braille.   In front of me was a man in a wheelchair who has lost his legs due to health issues and suffers a broken heart from the recent death of his wife.  To my right was a low functioning autistic child.  Behind me, a woman sat who is slowly losing her husband to Alzheimer's. In the same room, a woman listened intently who suffers from depression.  And snuggled close beside me was my daughter who suffers effects from blindness.   Normally, I believe it's important to have faith and believe before seeing, but today my eyes taught me what I believe.  This belief and hope in the resurrection is what gives individuals such as these the strength to endure yet another day. This I know because my daughter tells me so.  It's the hope of falling in love that put people back in the dating field after being hurt time and again.  It's the hope in a day of perfected sight that gives my daughter the courage to go another day and face things that are difficult for her to do.  
Before today, I only internally viewed how the resurrection would affect me personally.  From now on, I see the pettiness of my knowledge and rejoice in what the resurrection means to those whom I see regularly and in whom I love.  As I imagined these individuals in a perfected state I felt an overwhelming feeling of joy in my heart for what they will experience one day.  I know the resurrection carries a deeper meaning to them in which I cannot begin to comprehend.  
Today, I'm reminded we all have our weaknesses and trials we face here on earth.  What we each individually deal with is very real and challenging for each of us.  Today, I realize in comparison to what others deal with, I'm more than happy to stick with the lot I was dealt.  Today, I'm grateful I learned valuable truths in a way which was unexpected.  Today, I'm humbled that a blind woman taught me to see.  Irony can be a beautiful thing.

WWF vs. WWC

It's no secret, I'm a huge word nerd.  Hence, I like word games.  I was especially thrilled to download the app Words With Friends.  The key word is friends. I'm a bit sleep deprived and in a bold mood today so here's my beef (and my tone is in it's usual sarcasm with an added high level of irritation below the surface). I can't tell you how miffed I am that some of my word buddies have chosen to change the game to Words With Cheaters.  The 'friend' portion has exited the game.  I'm playing a computer in proxy of my friends due to them downloading the app for cheats and word solvers.  How do I know they're cheating you ask?  Because before their cheating days they'd be lucky to get a 30 point word and now they're getting 80 or 90 points?!! Trust me, I know their intelligence after playing them for so many months.  I'm not saying that I don't throw a word up there hoping it'll stick at times, but I'm not about to let the computer give me hints or cheats to win. Where's the glory in that?  Seriously, are you so hell bent on beating me that you sacrifice your own integrity for a little satisfaction?  You know what feels really good?  When they cheat and I STILL win...that's right, choke on my letters cheaters.


 I don't know how the app works because I've not attempted to investigate therefore I can't proclaim to know what it all entails or how much assistance it offers.  If someone would like to enlighten me, feel free, with the disclaimer that you will be exposing yourself as a cheater and therefore will no longer be playing against me as a friend, but as my nemesis. 

Be Afraid Girls, Be Very Afraid

You poor, poor little sweet things.  You haven't a clue what's in store.  I have months to plot and come up with your demise.  I'm talking boot camp, bug eating, massaging my feet, 3 hours of sleep, gritty teeth and hair, and absolutely no talking or smiling!  Oh wait, this is Girl's Camp.  Well then, we are going to eat s'mores, talk about boys, cry over our favorite memories and movies, have a giggly pillow fight, braid each other's hair, be one and meditate with nature.   -___-
Okay, so my goal really is to find a happy medium between the two.
I was recently asked to be the girl's camp director for our ward.  Shocking really since I've never made it past the maturity of a 16 year old...and that's probably aiming high.  Last year I was the YCL leader and we tore it up.  The YCL's usually have brutal pranks with stake staff.  So, I decided it was time for a new season.  We sabotaged and pranked in silence, resulting in mass confusion and created conspiracies. It was quite brilliant if I must say, so brilliant that the 70 year old cooks actually got the blame.  So, if you wanted a professional Lo-Mia leader, you got her.  We are going to work hard, play hard, be united, dominate, learn much, and have the best days of summer.
BUT, first we need to lay down some ground rules:

1.  Sure exploring to unknown territory in the woods is good and all, but at least take a friend.  This way, if a bear attacks you can use your friend as bait.  (This will work best for me if your friend comes from another ward.)

2.  No dumping, especially near our addie. Stay out of the trash and don't eat like crap.  I promise I will feed you.

3.  I don't care how romantic it is...leave the boys at home.

4.  One shower.  No more.  No less.

5.  Stay out of your fellow camper's property...unless they carry 50's.

6.  Absolutely NO trash talk about other campers, yourselves and especially ME, or this is how you will end up.

 7.  Don't bring any valuables. They will be bound and tortured and you never know where they'll turn up.

8.  If you purposely trip one of your fellow campers...don't bother taking them to the nurse.  Feel free to practice your first-aid skills learned at camp and stitch them up yourself.  No medical background necessary.  No pain, no gain.

9.  No matter what, you will survive...even if you get driven around camp honking and screaming like pigs at 5 a.m.
SO, rest up beauties...more to come.