The Westin--Again!

Anjali got jealous of my super fun weekend at The Westin, so she decided to book a room a couple weekends later. We couldn't pass up a second chance of fun. We invited a few of our other friends with kids and had a P A R T Y. Too bad I didn't get a picture of my friend Ellise and her son Drew. They stopped by too. Plus some of Anjali's friends also stopped by with their kids. And the guy on the end is Trevon. He's a fellow single parent and part of our newly created single parent crew. #singleparentsunite

The kids found a frog--of course they did. haha. 

It's so fun to have kid friendly fun! And us adults didnt have too bad of a time either :)

New Friends.

ONE.) Sometimes things just have a way of working out in weird ways. The Lord definitely works in mysterious ways. One of the hardest trials in my life of being a single mom has been not feeling like I fit in with anyone. I don't fit in with my married friends with kids because after 5 o'clock they typically have husbands to hang out with and rarely will want to do things with their single friend and her son. And if they do want to get together---it's typically to escape the kid/kids and want a girl's night. And then with my single friends I always feel like a bad mom leaving Matix behind or a bad friend always wanting to bring along a child. And then with my family I'm the only single one and well I just am different than everyone I feel like. Now I don't want to feel overly dramatic--but I just have had a really hard time finding the balance and not feeling left out. 

Then while I was dating Matt, I went to church with him one Sunday and was surprised to see how many children were in his singles ward. My singles ward didn't have a primary so Matix would go to church with my parents while I attended the singles ward. All the while I was having a hard time with my family and some issues with my siblings thinking my parents help me with Matix too much. So after that Sunday with Matt I remember meeting with my bishop and mentioning to him that I was considering switching my records to the other ward. He obviously hated to see me go (my bishop and I were very close). But in a lot of ways it just made sense, especially since my relationship with Matt seemed to be going so well. 

Well, we broke up that very next week, 

And Matt and his new girlfriend were in that ward and the thought of seeing them every Sunday on top of all the other times I saw them seemed like a dumb idea. But as much as I fought the idea, I knew it was something I needed to do. So back in July I switched my records. That very first Sunday with Matix was so good.  remember leaving church and asking Matix what he thought and he told me it "was the holy land of churches." (He got a lot of candy from his teacher, haha)

Joining this ward was a blessing in so many ways. But the biggest blessing was meeting this girl. 

What a dimepiece. Haha. 

We joke that we are domestic partners and going to quit dating and raise our kids as siblings. She is my exact age, got pregnant young, got married, got divorced and has a daughter six months older than Matix. Anjali and I have quickly become the best of friends and our kids have become best friends as well. Matix and Maddy are polar opposites. From the way they look to the way to their personalities--they couldn't be any more opposite. But it totally works. And they get along so well it's crazy. I've never seen them fight--and we spend a lot of time together. And I look more like Maddy's mom (the funfettis) and Anjali looks more like Matix's mom (the caramels).

I'm so grateful to have met these two and formed the friendship we have. They were exactly what I needed at this time in my life. And I know that this is just the beginning of a long friendship. And it's been a good one. 

(And no, we aren't lesbian lovers. Promise)

TWO.) So remember how after Matt and I broke up he started dating a mutual friend like the next week. And I saw them everywhere and I hated her more than anything in the whole world? And for some crazy reason I was manipulated into thinking she was the one to blame? Yep, she seduced him and it was the only thing that made sense. 

Well, folks, sometimes things aren't quite what they seem. Even if you are positive they are. 

Such is the case with Leah. After a strange turn of events, Leah ended up calling me and we pieced of lot of things together. A lot of lies and manipulations and after all was said and done--we ended up becoming friends. And now basically best friends. 

I know it's weird and random and crazy but we've even talked a little bit about how maybe we were supposed to date Matt to become friends? Seems like a stretch but I think that maybe there could be truth to it. Leah has become a super good friend to me. Exactly who I need to talk to when I'm sad or happy or frustrated or just need someone to do nothing with. I have judged this girl for years! And not even in a mean way or a judgmental way. Just in an "I don't think we have much in common" kind of way. But the truth is we are very different but we also have a lot of common interests. We spend most of our days sending music back and forth on Spotify and I put extensions in her hair and she's helped me with mine and we watch chick flicks and go on roadtrips singing the whole way and go shopping and she borrows clothes out of my closet weekly and she is helping me eat healthier and we have new years resolutions to work out more. I think our differences are rubbing off on each other and we are helping each other be better. Not to mention we've gotten over Matt together. And to be honest--it would have been really hard to get through the last few months without her. We don't go a day without talking. And I'm really grateful for her friendship. And she loves kids AND it's fun being in the same ward together. The other day we went to Chinese and this was her fortune: 

I think it hit the nail right on the head. 

Here's to new friends; Some of the greatest blessings. 

Also don't jump to conclusions or judge a book by it's cover. Because...you're probably wrong. 

Park City Shenanigans

While I was in Utah for Labor Day weekend I decided to spend the last half of the weekend with my Provo beauties. A spontaneous invitation brought us to a cabin in the woods of Park City. I have frequently found myself in PC and there's something about that place that I love. Crisp air, beautiful scenery. We met up with Sam and some guys--who were literally some of the funniest guys I have ever met in my whole life. The amount of wit and the levels of laughter were unreal. We talked but mostly laughed til the wee hours of the morning, ate salsa in the hot tub and then snuggled up in the biggest homemade bed on the floor. Late nights turned into sleeping in way past planned and so rafting  the Heber river was out. We had a big family breakfast and an attempt to ride the Alpine slide,..but the holiday brought in the crowds. We settled for a pyramid, chicken fights and handstand competition before going our separate ways again. Me back to Vegas. Kicking and screaming the whole way. Why don't I live in Utah again? 

Presley, Dave, Sam, Anne, Skylar, Ashley

Grandpa Jacobsen

My dear grandfather's health had been declining throughout the last couple years. My sweet step-grandmother wrote a letter to my parents suggesting that she may not be able to take care of all of his needs much longer and thoughts of selling the house, putting them in an assisted living facility or moving to Las Vegas started to be discussed. And then Signe had a pretty nasty fall that landed her in the hospital. My aunt Dwan came to the rescue and took care of her older brother, until Signe was released. And then Signe fell again--only this time the damages were much worse. She ended up in the hopital for a couple week and my mom dropped everything to be in Utah to take care of her dad, since she is the only child able. My uncle Howard is not well mentally and her other brother died several years ago. We were very concerned for Signe and her health since there was bleeding in her brain. To our surprise, everything healed up fine and Signe was released a couple weeks later. 

Flashback to 3 months prior--my mom had made plans for the whole family to plan to come up to Utah over Labor Day weekend to help my grandparents with their yard that had become too demanding to maintain for their abilities. We planned to also take some group pictures, since we had not all been together in several years. 

Labor Day weekend happened to fall right in the midst of it all--Signe being in the hospital and my mother being in Utah. We all headed up as planned. We added in a trip to the new Ogden temple, which would be my grandfather's last major outing. 

Three days later he developed pneumonia landing him in the hospital, never to leave again. My mom and grandmother were with him moments before he passed.

What a tender mercy that my mom got to spend that time with her dad the last few weeks of his life. Her time with him has been very minimal over the past several years, so it was so sweet for her to be able to spend that precious time with him. That never would have happened had Signe not fallen. I'm also grateful for these last pictures we got with Grandpa J. The one of him and Signe kissing was a candid shot that I happened to catch. It's probably my favorite. Signe was a huge blessing in all of our lives and I'm grateful for her love and support to my grandfather over the last 17 years. 

Alan Clifton Jacobsen

 July 9,1927-September 8, 2014

Holladay, UT-Alan Clifton Jacobsen - age 87 died Monday, September 8, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born July 9, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah to A. Clifton Jacobsen and Vauna S. Jacobsen. He married Rosamae Greenwood on August 21, 1953. Rosamae passed away on August 11, 1994 and he married Signe Georgia Smith on June 14, 1997.
Alan was a grocer by trade and worked in the family grocery store in the avenues until later in his life when he worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Building Maintenance. He loved to visit and work on the family cabin in Lambs Canyon. He also loved to work with wood; he could build anything and fix anything.
He served a full-time mission for The Church in the East Central States and later served an Employment Service Mission. He also served a Church Humanitarian Mission with his wife Signe. He loved serving with the youth in the church and participated in many activities with them. 
He loved living in Utah, working with the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, serving in the temple and being with his family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He worked hard his whole life and served others continually. He had a firm testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and was valiant to the end. 
He is survived by his wife Signe, children Shauna Jacobsen Marx (Steve), Howard Wallace Jacobsen, daughters-in-law Hazel Jacobsen and Tauna J. Young, 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren and sister Dwan J. Young (Tom). He was preceded in death by his wife Rosamae and son Mark Alan Jacobsen.
A viewing will be held on Friday, September 12, 6-8 pm and funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 2:00 pm with a viewing one hour prior. Both will be at the LDS Church at 4568 Holladay Boulevard and Interment will be at Mountain View Memorial 3115 East 7800 South. 
Condolences may be shared with the family at mountainviewmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Temple Patron Assistance Fund.

The services were really sweet. I loved hearing the stories about his life. He had a hard life. Due to an injury at birth, my grandfather's coordination was affected his whole life. My favorite story was hearing about his will and determination to be able to pass the sacrament when he turned 12. He practiced and practiced holding the tray all around the house so that he could do it. And he did it! He took church and his callings very seriously and dedicated his whole life to serving others the best ways he could. I wish I could remember more of them. 

For more info about my grandfather see this post. 

August Wrap Up

// Showered my baby cousin and her daughter-to-be. Matix was very proud of this onesie he and Peyton designed for baby girl. I hope she loves it too. 

// My niece Amber Rose was blessed. All the grandkids were in attendance to see--a rare occasion

// I came in third place in the Spoon competition at FHE. Yes, you can have my autograph, 

// Watched my dear friend Karly play in her rockband, finally. 

 // Watched Chromeo and Flume with friends! SO FUN. 

//New hair. Nope, I didn't get rid of my extensions, I just cut them :)

// Cheated on Yumz with mister Yumz himself and that kid I'm sitting next to fell in love with me and called me for approx 3 months straight after this night. Sometimes being nice and fellowshipping new members of your ward has consequences. Haha.  

// Bailed on a friend and blamed it on her....

// But that's okay because he bailed on me for Portugal. The Man & Grouplove so I paid for Allison to come instead. BEST DECISION EVER. Night of our life on random strangers shoulders dancing for the world to see,

// Hiked Lone Mountain after church one Sunday with some new friends. Our first time!! Best worst decision ever--I'm out of shape and it's harder than it looks. 

// Pretended to run a 5k. But really we walked one lap and joined the foam/water fight instead. Not mad about it and the kids were in heaven!

 // Pre-School picture just because.

I love dropping him off at school even though it adds an hour to my commute. So cute with his ginormous backpack. So grateful my boss let's me come in late a couple days a week so I can drop him off. 

// That time we were Yumz models. These two are my favorite. 

// Went to Utah to spend time with my grandpa (more on that next) and also got to see my besties and Matix got to see his.