One Year!!!

Can you believe it's been one year??!! For those of you that don't know, Jennie has been serving a mission in Arcadia, California, Spanish speaking and has been out for one year now. We are so excited that she will be home in 6 months! We miss her sooo much around here. She spent the first part of her mission in an English speaking area and has spent the last several months in only Spanish speaking so she is really beginning to pick up the language and fall in love with the Latino people she serves. She has had some great experiences and has plenty of hillarious stories to share when she gets home. Just thought I'd share these pics with anyone that keeps up on the blog cause I think she looks so beautiful! She loves letters, so if you get a chance to send a card, she'd love to hear from you! 170 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia, CA 91007

I Need Your Address

I am getting my address book together! So if you would like to hear from me in anyway, then I need your address, and I was thinking that i could also write a general e-mail and have a family member forward it to anyone that is interested in them. So if you are interested in keeping in touch or hearing from me in any way then I need your Address and E-mail. (jdsmiles00@gmail.com (those are zeros)is where you can send your information) :)
I personally love snail mail! It’s on the top of my favorites list! If you ever want to put a smile on my face then send me anything in the mail :) I don't know there is just something about opening the mailbox and seeing your handwritten name on something (well other then a bill ha ha) It's so exciting to me! I am smiling just thinking about the mail right now!
I was thinking back to all the different missionaries that I have written to and it's too bad that none of them are around to pay back the favor and write me ha ha :)

17 Day's Left!

I can't believe that I only have 17 days left! Its funny how time flies fast when you have a lot to accomplish, and with me being older I have more things that I need to get in order then most. My emotions have been going back n forth between excited to scared. Most of the scared feeling comes from the unknown. I've never been a missionary before, and I hear over and over again about how incredibly hard it is, but I just try and remind myself that anything in life worth having requires sacrifice and hard work. I found out that I am giving a talk this Sunday (the bishops last attempt to get me to have some sort of farewell, because I said I didn't want one ha ha) But I was remembering back to my last talk, when I realized that my last talk was when I was graduating high school and receiving my medallion and that was 7 1/2 years ago. ha ha well it looks as though this talk is going to start me on my missionary roll and get me used to speaking. So I basically have 2 weeks to get everything together and I am starting to freak out about whether it will all get done in time ha ha :) The Lord is awesome and will help me so that I can serve him. Anything is possible when you put your trust in the Lord!

I got my CALL!!!

I am staying in side of the great U.S.A

I am going to be in California

In Arcadia

That's right, I have been called to serve in the California, Arcadia Spanish Speaking Mission!

I am totally excited! I report to the MTC on Feb. 27th (that's like in a month!)

I am still in shock that this is actually happening that my mind is racing so I will write more later, but I just wanted to update everyone!

Mission Update and New Song

Mission Update!

It's in the Mail!!!

I think that I should be getting my mission call sometime this week. (some people say it comes on wednesday's and some say Friday's ha ha)

Any last minute guesses?

Bon Jovi - It's My Life

is an awesome song!

(I usually update my song more often then I update my blog ha ha so this time i thought that i would make a note)

I am Free

The Lord is amazing, and not a singular amazing but in a million zillions different ways amazing! He’s had my best interest at heart and has been guiding my life when I didn’t even realize it. I’ve had to do some of the hardest things and just trust in him and let him guide my life.
I don’t know how many people noticed the songs on my blog, but that’s how I express myself and what’s going on in my life. I love music and there are always songs that know exactly how my heart feels and so I love to let them speak for me.
Anywho, My hearts been taking a beating and going through a rough time, and most of you don’t know anything about my romantic life (because I keep it really private and most of the time my family doesn’t even know either – sorry family I still love ya) I fell in love with someone, who loved me back and I thought that we’d be together forever (if you catch my drift) Well, he had been my friend before and my love then and yet I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t commit. I didn’t want to but I had to force myself to say goodbye and I had no idea why. Well, My heart broke into a million pieces and everything seemed to go wrong in my life and for awhile I thought that I had made a horrible mistake and at the same time something inside me told me it was good for me to do. So I have been sooo confused, lonely, frustrated and living life with my heart in pieces and wondering when it would stop aching. So randomly this person popped up in my life again and it was clear to me that night that the Lord had been looking out for me. That night I got some much needed closure and I feel as though my heart has been put back together and weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t even really express how rejuvenated, how free and alive I feel. I am in deep gratitude for the Lord looking out for my long term happiness. I wont lie I wouldn’t want to go through it again ha ha but I am glade that the Lord’s willing to sacrifice my momentary pain for long term happiness.
I seriously am so happy that I feel as though I could bust! I love the Lord and fully trust him with my life and can’t wait to see where he guides me next.

R.I.P Buddy

Rest in Peace my Bud Bud

March 6 2003- December 16 2007

Here is a look at his life

He's up front and center

me and bud bud

He didn't like to sleep alone

His Favorite toy was a plastic bag

He was a very curious kitten

He loved water

He love boxes

He was beautiful

He was a big boy

Buddy got sick fast

look at all the blood

Me finding out my buddy was gone

not the best picture, but I was devastated

Birthday

So my Birthday was awesome! I didn't just have one day of fun I had like 4... But i have bad news :( I either forgot to bring my camera with me or i was having so much that i forgot to take the pictures, i know i know i was heartbroken, your birthday only comes once a year and i wont have any pictures to remember those fun times



On Friday night my old college roommate took me to see Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols"... i was a little skeptical when we pulled into a high school parking lot ha ha (and at this point it was still a suprise so i didn't know what we were doing) and i was thinking High School? For my Birthday present you are taking me back to high school? oh i think i'd rather die ha ha... but it was awesome! I laughed so hard and I cried too. If anyone has an opportunity to go see "The Forgotten Carols" then I say drop everything and go! what an awsome night....

Before the Show

After the show... we had gotten 3 inches while we were in the show

While we are waiting to get out of the parking lot... my old roommate from college

on Saturday a bunch of old family friends from cali took me out to dinner and man was it storming. We drove down to meet everyone, and we slid a couple of times on the freeway, but we finally made it. we had like 16 people (some of those were kids) but still they count right. anywho this is one of the times that i forgot to take pictures because i was laughing so hard and having to much fun. I even forgot one of my birthday presents at the resturant, i was so heartbroken and i felt so bad. My real present was having everyone with me for my birthday. What awesome friends and family, to take time out of there lives on a Saturday and drive through bad weather to spend time with me on my Birthday. I love you guys, you all are the best! Well, these people have been in my life forever so they pretty much are family. I had so much fun guys!

We had more snow in our cart ha ha

Well after we finally left the resturant we helped on of my friend/family members move stuff out of there storage... we went shopping in michael's for crafty things, and pushing a cart that was packed with snow! yup thats right, we wanted to see how many funny looks we would get and see if we could make it out of the store before it melts ha ha... We even asked a couple of workers for help in locating somethings and they would help us and bit there lip trying so hard not to laugh. On of the girls (who had already helped us) walked past us while we were stopped looking at what we needed to buy, then she stopped and asked "is that snow? is that real snow?" I bent down poked the snow and said with a shoked look on my face "is it? it is!"... my friend bent down and picked it up and said "jen, this IS real snow!" and through some at me. the girl left and so did we ha ha
I love my life especially when i have such good friends that let me be goofy and crazy and encourage me to do those things. Those are true friends, the ones that you are not afraid to be yourself with because you know that they wont look at you with judgemental eyes. Life is to short not to have fun, laugh and be goofy. :)
So after we unloaded the truck and did a few donuts (for fun :) we said a prayer and headed home.
thanks again for such an awesome night. (i think that the shopping cart was ONE of the best parts of the night ha ha) I love being me :)

On Sunday some of the people in the ward through a birthday party for 2 of us. (we are Birthday buddies, we have the same birthday! how fun :)


it was a fun night filled with twister, mafia, other games. We both blew out the candles on the cake and that must of been to much for it because the cake leaped off the counter and did a nose dive to the floor ha ha... and it looked really moist because absolutly none of the cake stayed in the pan ha ha... i was laughing so hard because those are things that make memorize :)


I have a great ward and it is full of such cool people. it's weird because i am making friends with all of these cool people and i am going to be leaving on my mission soon. :( I don't understand but i know that the Lord has a plan.

on Monday my office decorated my desk and made me a sugar free chocolate pudding pie (it was really yummy, it didn't taste like it was sugar free either. I am going to remember that receipe ha ha) I work with such fun people, i will miss them when i am gone!


Life is good and i am Happy! oh and p.s i meet with the bishop on sunday to work on getting my papers resubmitted (i have done everything and am ready to go again) !

Girls Night

Tonight was a girl’s night; we left the men at home and headed to the Christmas Devotional. Which was amazingly decorated, and then when the first presidency comes in, the feeling of warmth and peace just comes over the whole building. What a great way to feel the spirit and remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas. We had lots of laughs and talked for 2 hours or so after the devotional was over. There is nothing better then spending time with good friends, because you can talk and talk and talk for hours and not even realize it and not to mention all the laughing that happens. I love to laugh it brings happiness to my life and soul. I personally feel that laughing should be required daily, like your vitamins (the world would be a better place don't ya think?) Hopefully we’ll be able to get together and do something for my BIRTHDAY on Saturday, but who knows (I am excited either way)
Life is good!

SNOW!!!

SNOW...SNOW... AND MORE SNOW!!!

Its official it's December soooo....Let the Holiday's begin :)

My December first began when i woke up to a few inches of snow, and it kept snowing all day. We are all covered with a white blanket of beautiful snow. everything looks so beautiful.

my day continued with a trip to the mall for a little Christmas shopping! yay :)

at the mall i got to see Santa and the LINE. The day was filled with merry Christmas shoppers all looking for the perfect presents for loved ones. It finished with lunch which turned into dinner because we were there for so long. Time flies when you are with friends and are talking, laughing and having fun ha ha.

On Friday I was invited to go to the Festival of Tree's, which was really fun. There were so many trees, beautiful ones, fun and silly ones, themed ones, anything you can imagine. There were also amazing ginger bread houses that you wouldn't believe. I can't imagine the time, talent and patience that went into those ginger bread houses. They had beautiful wreaths, dancing performers, gift shops, concession stands, etc... oh and a whole section for kids to play games, make crafts, face paint, a clown etc... I thought that it was going to be just tree's but oh no, it was full of lots of fun Christmas things to do. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season and get into the Christmas spirit. :)

I am so excited about Christmas!

Christmas Lights

I am so excited! I helped my mom put up her Christmas lights; it makes the holiday season feel official. Let the Holidays begin! I never expected to be here for the Holiday season. But you know what they say, "when making plans for life, make sure to plan for surprises".There is something special about Christmas lights, don't you think? They brighten up life and put a smile to my face. I am not sure where I will be for Christmas, but I know that no matter where I will be, I will be driving around that neighborhood looking at the beautiful holiday lights. I love the holidays and doing fun services for people around me.
My life has had a couple more hiccups, but I am still optimistic. Life is still good, and I still have the faith that the Lord is guiding my life and I know that everything happens for a reason.

Happy Thanksgiving

Going Flying...

I am a pretty lucky girl, I got to fly an airplane after a nice thanksgiving dinner. It's always amazing to fly over everything and see it from a different view. We always have a good laugh buzzing by the house and having our family run out and wave.

Thanksgiving was great this year! I was blessed with the opportunity to be with my family. The grandkids always excite things too (gives us adults an excuse to play with toys and watch Disney movies -which I love)

I feel very lucky to be blessed with such a great family!

Life is good!

I did it!

I cut my Hair!

Here are a couple of pictures of my hair (Straight and Curly). I was in need of a change and this was a great change. For those of you who really really know me, are probably not surprised ha ha. When big things happen in my life i usually take it out on my hair ha ha... I guess it's my own way of feeling a little bit in control and a way of starting over and new. That's what is great about being a woman, our hair is our funnest accessory! (and i have been blessed with fast growing hair so these fun hair adventures can come more often then for others)

I was told once by someone who I used to care about and who used to be close to me, that my “silly” need for changing my hair, was something they disapproved of because it made me look like a wild woman and that reflected on “them”. Which I of course in my strong willed spirit informed “you tell me that if I love you, then I will change, but if you want me to change then you don’t really love me” ha ha so I am sure that I was dumb or foolish and my opinionated ways got me into trouble yet again, but I am me fun hair and all. Sorry for the tangent ha ha

My friend Amberly (who is a talented Beautician) put her magic to work and I love it! It's cute, it's lighter (ha ha), it seems healthier and most importantly I feel beautiful. Thanks so much Amberly you did an awesome job!

Question

I have been thinking lately that I need a change and I would like to cut my hair. I am thinking about cutting my hair to my shoulders. What does everyone think? I have been wanting to do one of these polls and I thought now would be a fun time.

Disappointing news

Well I received some disappointing news tonight. I had my Bishop check on the status of my papers and it turns out that a letter was sent to the Stake President of my home ward in Arizona a month ago. I was never contacted so I never knew and was anxiously waiting. Well in the letter where some request that I need to get done before I can resubmit my papers. Because of my colorful medical background, they are asking for letters from Dr’s to explain something’s and they are asking that I loose 12 pounds (that’s never a bad thing ha ha). So until those letters are received and that weight is lost I cannot resubmit my papers. I know, it’s disappointing, and frustrating that the letter was just sitting there for a month, when I could have been working on all this but everything happens for a reason and I know that the Lord is mindful of me. Thank you guys for your excitement and support it has been really encouraging and helpful. I am still going to serve a mission, don’t you worry. This is just a little set back. Life is still good :)

The List

While We Wait :)

ok... since I still have not received my call yet, and because I have had a number of requests to hear/see the list of other people's guess to where they think I’ll be called, I decided to post it.
So...here is the list, some were repeated so that is why it's x2 or x3. If there are anymore guess I would love to hear them (because it's been pretty fun to hear)

Argentina
Chile
Oklahoma
Denmark
South America
Italy
Illinois (x2)
Canada
Southern U.S.A (x 3)
North Easter U.S.A
Somewhere Cold U.S.A
Temple Square Nauvoo
Paris France
Mid East U.S.A
Mexico

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!

I hope that everyone had a fun and safe Halloween... I had fun trick o treating. It’s kind of weird being on the adult side of this holiday.... makes you realize that this really is a strange holiday ha ha. Strangers dressing up to scare each other, begging for candy and going to strangers homes and taking that candy ha ha didn't we learn when we were little not to take candy from strangers, and then on Halloween we encourage it. I love dressing up and seeing everyone in their fun costumes. It's the only time during the year, when it's ok to be fun and silly as adults. (I think that our inner child should be encouraged more often, the world would be a happier place I think)
I hope you all got scared and received lots of candy!! :)

My old house :(

I can't believe that this is only a couple blocks away from my old house... scary.
I've been feeling so bad for everyone out there. It was my home and I still have family and friends out there. I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, I just wish there was something more that I could do. This is one of those times that I am speechless.

(p.s. I'm still waiting )

did someone say nerd?

I am a nerd and I am not afraid to admit it :) So i was curious to find out which movie nerd I was most like... and I am SpiderMan... and it's pretty right on for me. well atleast I think so. You guys will have to let me know.



You're Peter Parker, the hero with a nerdy heart. Other nerds save fake worlds in video games, but you feel a responsibility to make the real world a better place. Your dedication impresses everyone around you, but your inner nerd has no self-confidence. You forget how to speak when someone hot enters the room, and you're awkward around people you admire. Since you can't flirt to save your life, only evil villains get to hear your clever comebacks.

anything?

So after hearing that someone had received their call and learning where they where going. I was very excited (and nervous) to go to my mailbox today and there was something there, but as I looked at the label it was for someone that had lived in my apartment before me, my heart sank...I guess that I am learning patience... or as my little sister says "they are waiting for inspiration to send you to the perfect place" (waiting for inspiration? does that sound bad to you? ha ha j/k i love ya rach) I know that where ever I am asked to go, it will be where the Lord needs ME, and where I can be the most successful instrument in his hands.