Facebook

I have a Facebook page now and I've managed to find Cheri, some high school friends, and some people from work. It's kind of cool and much, much tamer than MySpace. Dexter spends a lot of time on his Facebook page. Unfortunately, he won't add me as a friend. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want me looking at his page and seeing the conversations he's having with his friends. The crazy thing is he has over 188 people listed as friends.

Too much of a good thing?

Those who know me well are aware that I generally put my whole heart and soul into my work, especially when it's something I really believe in. The primary purpose of my job at Heritage is fundraising. Since 2000, Heritage has incorporated a performing arts program into the therapy we provide. I'll let you read more about it on the Heritage website (http://www.heritagertc.org/). What's important here is that I'm heavily involved in the performing arts program and have been focused on trying to raise money to build a theater for it. We've been fundraising on this project for a few years now and we raised enough money to be able to begin construction. The open house and grand opening for our new performing arts center are this Wednesday through Friday. This project has now consumed me as I try to arrange for speakers, entertainment, food, invitations, press releases, film projects, tours, etc. We had the governor speaking and Gladys Knight speaking/singing, then the governor had to cancel and Gladys had a new set of tour dates to play. Back to nothing, we tried for the governor's wife.....didn't work out. Then we got the lt. governor. Luckily, the lt. governor is not going to cancel out on us because his daughter works at Heritage and she'd have something to say to him about it. The building wasn't completed on schedule and we had to change the grand opening date several times. It was supposed to be completely done by Memorial Day. The Open House starts tomorrow and they are still fixing problems, painting things, and cleaning up. We sent out about 1500 invitations to the open house and grand opening. Most of the other arrangements are set, but I still have to print the programs and set up displays and write some speeches.

To add to the chaos, auditions for this year's play were yesterday and today. I had to make copies of the music, help kids fill out forms and get pictures taken, run errands for the directors, and continue to work on plans for the grand opening. It looks like we have a great group of kids this year. Our executive secretary already cracked under the pressure today. I'm kind of surprised I haven't done that yet. With all that's going on, though, I will end up working about 52 hours this week. I don't mind the long hours, but it's really rough on the old marriage. Even after nearly 20 years (it will be 20 years on Aug. 20!), Emerson's not a fan of me working past 5 pm. You wouldn't know it from talking to Emerson or the boys, but I'm pretty dang good at my job. They trust me with a lot and they know I won't let them down. The executives are my biggest fans. I'm hoping that the hard work and my degree will add up to some good promotion possibilities down the road. Who knows? It's a little late to try the stay home mom thing....lol.

Teenagers are messy!

With the Independence Day holiday, we had both boys home all week. Dwayne is working as an intern in the kitchen at Heritage while he is on break. He will be home with us until July 15. It's kind of weird having three of us working at Heritage, but it's nice to see him working. Dexter returned to camp on Sunday. The biggest thing we noticed with the boys home was that the place got messy fast. Nothing ever seems to get put away or thrown away. I think the dogs decided to act like our boys. They managed to find a weak spot in their pen and worked their way out. By the time I found out, the dogs had trampled their way through my garden. More than half of the corn, all the canteloupe and watermelon, and some of the squash is now gone. I managed to forgive the dogs (mostly) and am focusing on what's left of the garden. Things are a little calmer this week. Not as messy with only one kid at home, and the dogs seem to be staying where they're supposed to be.

Empty Nesters - sort of

We're without children right now. Dexter took a job at Scout camp and only comes home part of Saturday and Sunday. Dwayne, of course, is still up at Job Corps and comes home for the weekends. It's just me and Emo and the dogs for the time being. So far things have been somewhat nice and quiet (and much cleaner).

Our friend and neighbor, a real hero

Tyler and Meredith Jensen used to live in our ward until military service caused them to move away for awhile. Meredith worked with me in the Primary for many years and we have been good friends. Tyler was Dwayne's favorite Young Men's/Scout leader and one of the people he looks up to the most. When Dwayne received his Eagle Award, Tyler was the person he chose to give his mentor pin to. We're so proud of Tyler for serving our country well and know the hardship Meredith has gone through worrying about him and raising their two energetic children.


Provo Man Receives Silver Star
First time award has been given to a Utah Guardsman in recent memory

Caleb Warnock
Daily Herald (www.heraldextra.com)

On Jan. 27, 2007, 1st Lt. Tyler J. Jensen of the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and his combat patrol were ambushed by 100 anti-government forces in Sangaar, Afghanistan. The Provo resident's heroism that day earned him a Silver Star, the first awarded to a Utah National Guard member in recent memory.

"1st Lt. Jensen repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to save a fellow soldier who was wounded. His courage, superlative combat skills and tactical leadership under overwhelming direct enemy fire were instrumental in preventing the enemy from overrunning his patrol," said military officials at a ceremony at Utah National Guard Headquarters in Draper on Thursday morning.

The Silver Star is given "for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force," according to Army regulations. The decoration is the third-highest medal for valor, after the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross.

"There is a little more press here than I was expecting," said Jensen with a wide grin to a dozen or so photographers snapping pictures. "In some ways it is easier to be in the infantry than surrounded by so much press. You don't know how to shoot back at them."

Jensen described the award as bittersweet.

"In many ways it was a wonderful honor, very humbling and greatly respectful and I do appreciate all the honor you and the country have attributed to me, but in other ways this is really hard because there are so many of my fallen friends and fellow soldiers who were not here and were not able to receive this award."

Jensen thanked his wife, calling her his hero.

"You have stood by me through so much," he said. "You do so much more than I could ever imagine."

He also thanked his parents, saying their "constant prayers have not gone unanswered."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. called the Utah National Guard "the greatest Guard in the United States," and said he felt "totally inadequate" addressing the men and women in the armed services.

"It is pretty cool to be governor, but it is exceedingly cool to be able to pin on a Silver Star and Bronze Star with valor, knowing what they represent," he said. "Thank you, our heroes, for taking time from your schedules to serve our country and protect and defend our liberty. Freedom isn't free, and many in this room feel that more acutely than others."

Huntsman said he recently took his sons to visit a graveyard "and all they wanted to do was go to see the graves with flags," he said, struggling to control his emotions. " ... The next generation is watching and learning and paying attention to all of this and you have been setting a remarkable example. I thank you as the governor and more importantly as a dad."

Captain Chad A. Pledger of North Ogden received the Bronze Star for exceptional gallantry and valor in the face of a determined enemy in Afghanistan, and had to go back to the rostrum after forgetting to thank his wife.

Referencing that faux pas as "the nearly career-ending mistake," Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet said he wanted to talk to the wives of Jensen and Pledger who "felt such anxiety in your absence and joy in your return and continued devotion to you as you continue to serve your country. You are an extraordinary example to all of us."

Tarbet said he had become what he least wanted to be in life, an old man sending young men to war.

"But what remarkable young men you are, and what a privilege it is, and how you grace the uniform and make us all proud, it is a truly remarkable thing," he said. " ... You make us proud, and for you two, the best is yet to come."

Dwayne is graduating!!!

Dwayne will be graduating from Weber Basin Job Corps (with his high school diploma and culinary arts training) on July 31 at 2:30 pm. We're so very proud of all his hard work. He quickly worked his way up to GOLD level (the highest) and stayed there. Although he finished high school earlier this year, he stayed to complete his culinary training. Dwayne passed off all of the requirements for the culinary program in only 11 months (it's supposed to take 12 months). From now until he graduates, he is working at the Ogden Golf and Country Club and learning from the chef there.

After graduation, Dwayne plans to take some classes at Utah Valley University and put in his mission papers.

Officially Smart!!!

I did it! I finally got my bachelor's degree.

This was the last graduation for Utah Valley State College. Beginning July 1, it becomes Utah Valley University.

Sharon took some time off of work to come up and watch me graduate. It was fun having her here.

Loren came in from Phoenix for the festivities as well. The boys enjoyed spending time with Grandpa Loren and I was flattered that he would go to all the trouble for an in-law.

Dwayne spent the week here so he would be around for graduation. He "dressed up" in his chef's jacket.

It's kind of hard to believe it's all over, but I sure am glad that it is. I'll miss learning things in school, but I won't miss the homework. It's nice to be able to think clearly again and to be able to focus now that I'm not so overwhelmed. Thanks go out to everyone who encouraged me and sent their best wishes.

Surprise Trip

My incredibly wonderful and handsome husband gave me a memorable gift in honor of my graduation. We took a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas to see Phantom of the Opera at The Venetian. It was our first family vacation in ages and we got to stay with Sharon and see her apartment. The show was AMAZING! I'm really into seeing how things work and all the backstage stuff, so I was absolutely mesmerized by the elaborate set pieces and costumes and how the sets moved and transformed during the show. The only disappointment was that the chandelier did not fall during the performance we attended. Las Vegas has changed and grown a lot since I was last there. I'm happy with all the connections between hotels and the elevated walkways. Unfortunately, the attempt they once made to have a family friendly focus is completely gone. It was fun hanging out with Sharon and getting away from things now that my homework is history. This week has been much more fun after having some time away to relax. Only two more days til graduation...

Dwayne's new style

Dwayne has decided to find some sort of style to how he dresses. A friend of his helped him to pick out some new clothes on his last shopping trip. He is now wearing Avirex shoes (skater shoes you wear laced but not tied), plaid bermuda shorts, and designer t-shirts (Hurley, Zoo York, Sean John). I'm not too crazy about the look, but everyone else thinks he looks great. I think it's just hard for me to see him in anything but courderoys or cargo pants, attitude t-shirts, and converse shoes. He's gaining some new popularity with his new duds, so I guess it's okay.

Well...only 23 years after graduating from high school and being promised a way would be provided for me to finish my education...I'm nearly finished!

I will be graduating April 25. This 40 year-old mom will finally have that nifty piece of paper that proves to the world that I'm worth hiring and worth paying better wages.

On Monday, I have to speak at a scholarship luncheon to thank the Woodbury family since they provided the money for my scholarship. The toughest thing about being done with school will be that I won't get more moments like this where I'm special and get acknowledged for my work. Back in the real world, there is plenty of work to do and accolades are rare.

I know all of you are incredibly busy and live far away, so this is more of an announcement than an invitation. I wish I could have you here to share this moment with. Bill's Air Force ceremony to receive his first real rank was wonderful. Rick's graduation made me appreciate even more his uniqueness and his great accomplishments. Sharon refused to do the whole ceremony thing, but she donned a cap and gown so I could at least have a picture; one I still treasure. I wonder if Mom had any idea how far any of us would go... I have also been able to attend graduations for Emerson's brother, Gene, and our sister-in-law, Brenda (bachelor's and master's). We were able to surprise Emerson's mom when we showed up for her graduation for her associate's degree a few years ago.

Dexter is mostly happy that it's not on his birthday this time. He is spending his birthday competing in the Utah state solo and ensemble competition. I hear his solo is fantastic. Dwayne has been done with his high school work for some time now and is focusing on finishing his culinary arts training. He is also taking a driver's education class so he can finally learn how to drive. Emerson is taking classes to become special education certified (required by Heritage) and is having them count towards a master's degree. With Bill, Sharon, and Holly working on their master's degrees too, it's hard to feel like I am accomplishing much...lol.