Nov. 14 letter

1. My friend Becca- a.k.a Trish. She is the sweetest, kindest friend. She is an example to me in many ways she does not even realize.

2. My kids' funny and sweet moments. There a couple in the letter that follows.

3. My bed. Because it sounds so inviting and comfortable right now.


Karina,

How are you sister? Sorry that I didn’t realize I should have been sending my letters to your email instead of through Dear Elder once you got to Guatemala. I should have thought that through. Do you have enough time to read all our emails? I will switch to snail mail if I need to- but I’m worried that the hassle of getting a stamp and something in the mailbox might hinder my success of getting something to you… Garrett and Racheal were here for dinner tonight and we were talking about how AWESOME and happy you sound in all of your letters. I pray you continue to do so well. Oh, and while we were talking about you, Josh wise piping in with, “Kari’s in Guatemala” and Dekker said, “Yeah, she’s taking a REALLY long time on her mission!”

Please be prepared for some shocks and challenges when you hit the field. I’m honestly not too worried for you though. Your enthusiasm and positive vibe will push you through anything. And besides, though the language and work load were a shock for me, I still loved my first area, companion and all of that. I had an MTC teacher who said over and over again that he wanted us to be able to “hit the ground running” when we got to the field. That imagery seemed to help me. I really just “jumped” into it and tried to be prepared for anything.

Nothing too exciting this week to report. Trish took the boys to a Yo Gabba Gabba concert on Tuesday. They don’t really watch that show, but I showed them some You Tube videos before, and they had a blast. There is one song that they do about eating all your food because “there’s a party in your tummy” and all the food wants to go. It’s actually gotten Dekker to eat more at dinnertime. So I’m pumped!

Jake went to Colorado this weekend for his yearly trip to reconnect with his old high school buddies. He gets back tomorrow. Becca stayed with me all weekend to keep me company. We stayed up late last night making these cute hair clips. She, Naomi and I each wore one to church today.

Today at church one of Dekker’s nursery leaders was released and she’ll be in the RS presidency. She loves Dekker since he’s the oldest in nursery and can actually talk and stuff. Well, when I went to pick him up the other nursery leader reminded Dekker to “Say ‘goodbye’ to Sister Shepherd!” He looked up at her and said, “Goodbye Sister Shepherd!” with his sweet big eyes and she got all chocked up saying goodbye back to him. That little kid has sutch a way of working his way in to people’s hearts. It was a sweet little moment.

Funny Josh moment: This weekend Josh was talking to Trish about finding her husband. Before he has told her to just find a boy in blue shirt. Well, I wasn’t there for the whole conversation, but he asked her if she’d found the guy in the blue shirt yet, and I think she was trying to explain that it isn’t that simple, and so he said, “Okay, you find the guys wearing a blue shirt, and driving a car, and then you say, ‘Who wants to marry me? Raise your hand!” It’s pretty classic because Josh loves to do the “Who wants _____? Raise your hand!” or “If you like ______, raise your hand!”

It’s snowing right now. There’s actually some visible snow/slush on the grass.

Naomi turns ONE on SATURDAY!

TTFN

Missionary letter 11-7-2010

Hermana,

Hey there chica. So in random news- this week we’ve been working on loading all the home video from our little video tapes to our Mac. As we were going through them we found one that is yours. I didn’t watch the whole thing, but there was a little bit from the Haunted Mansion at the beginning, and then it looks like the rest of the tap is of some car trip or scavenger hunt with Lindsey and Hanna? I’ve got it set aside for you here, but if you want me to do something specific with it- let me know.

I’m glad to hear you had at least a couple fun surprises on Halloween. If it’s any consolation it rained all evening here- so Garrett and Racheal only took the boys to three houses before they decided to come home. We did watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin and do a little bobbing for apples though. The boys really weren’t too disappointed, and I didn’t have to worry about them bringing loads of candy back to the house.

So a couple of interesting notes in response to your last letter. I actually stayed in la casa de huespedes for a week or two when I first got there. That’s where we stayed until we found an apartment. It was really cool to visit with other people who were staying there while visiting the temple from far away places. To hear their stories and the sacrifices they made. And I also remember the kite flying festival. That was one of the two weekends we spent up at Lake Atitlan, and there were several kites in the sky that weekend even though it wasn’t the main city where all that goes on. Oh- and I loved you comments on the buses. I always loved riding the buses too. In fact, I recently found my Guatemala video and had it transferred to DVD (can you tell we’re trying to update our documentation processes) and there’s a section where I randomly turned it on and recorded just because I loved the crazy music, sounds, and driving, and I think even a chicken that were all part of the experience. And you probably don’t remember but the Lonely Planet book I gave you for Guate had a red bus “tipica” on the front.

I’m glad to hear Spanish is coming along. You’re so lucky that you have this chance to be so submersed in it BEFORE going out to the field. We spoke as much Spanish as possible in the MTC, but it was still a HUGE shock when I got to the field and had to jump into the work and the language all at once. And now you know why RMs will sometimes revert into their mission language when talking. We make fun of them for it, but sometimes it really is because they get SO used to expressing certain things a certain way and they just don’t always translate.

Naomi took a break from trying to walk, but today has started practicing again. She also cut her 4th tooth on top- so her smile is looking more balanced and she now has a total of 6 teeth.

Yesterday I took the boys to the BYU football game (Jake was at class, and my neighbor gave me free tickets, so we just went to the last quarter). After we decided to go visit Garrett and Racheal for a bit. The last time we’d been to there place we commented how you were right there at the MTC. This time I didn’t say anything about it, but as we drove by the MTC Josh asked if you were still there. I told him no, that now you were in Guatemala. He said, “Oh yeah. I knew that.” Which he did, but it was cute to know he was thinking of you- right? We are praying for you in our prayers, and talk of you often. Oh and BTW, apparently I have really powerful prayers. The other night I was asking Jake about how things were with all three of his businesses had gone that day and he responded saying that they were all just kinda plugging along and that he was ready for something exciting to happen with one of them. Well, the next morning he asked me to say the family prayer, and in my prayers I said, “Please bless that Jake will have a good day, and that something exciting will happen with one of his businesses”. Well, that day in fact there was some excitement. I won’t go into all the details of it, but it’s something exciting but also pretty stressful at the same time, and could change a lot of things over the next year. While we were talking about this change of events Jake said, “You do realize this is all your fault, right?” “How so?” “Because you prayed that something exciting would happen! You have to be careful what you pray for. You always do this!” His “always” is in reference to a couple other times where I prayed for things that brought on challenges, ones that were good, but challenges nonetheless (i.e. his calling as YM President, and him going back to school). We kinda laugh about it, but it really IS true. Heavenly Father DOES listen to our prayers, and he does answer them. Not always in the way/time we expect, but he DOES answer them!

So, question- the computers that you have access to- can you connect your camera and load pictures? Are you aloud to send us any? We’d love to see some pictures!!! And can we send you any digital pictures? I’m gonna send you a couple. If they’re not allowed, let me know, and I’ll repent later!

Te amo mucho mucho hermana mia.

Quidate!

Jaime

My kids are cute

and this will be sent to Sister Jackson- since I know she'll appreciate it.

1. Josh. When Jake came home today he asked Josh how his day was, and Josh responded, "Incredible". When Jake asked why Josh said, "Because Katherine and I FINALLY decided to fall in love!" Really? This was news to me. Katherine is one of the neighbor girls close to his age. So then I asked, "And what happens when you fall in love?" He proceeded to tell me that they almost have decided to get married. He said he wasn't sure because Katherine and Gracie (his BEST friend from preschool last year) are both pretty great, but since he doesn't really get to see Gracie anymore Katherine is a little bit "higher"- so "I think I'll marry her". He asked me which one I thought he should marry and I told him that was HIS choice, and he would have to follow his heart, but that I thought he was too young to get married. He quickly corrected me saying they won't get married till they grow up, saying, "Katherine will wait for me. She said." Jake and I were cracking up.

2. Dekker. Yesterday out of NO WHERE Dekker said, "Do you know the bubbles in my mouth have germs, but the bubbles in hot tubs don't?!"
And then today he came in from outside with a purple pansy and gave it to me. "This is for you Mom!" "Thank you!" I responded. "It's because I love you." and then he gave me a big kiss. Doesn't get much sweeter than that.

3. Naomi. Our little one loves to bob her head "yes" and shake her head "no" these days. Mostly it seems to be copying or in agreement to what we say, not as much an answer or opinion of her own- but more and more we're realizing she's got it figured out. Yesterday Jake and I were laughing because he was feeding her snacks in the kitchen. He pulled a bag of dried apricots from the cupboard and asked, "Do you want these?" to which she firmly shook her head "no". Thinking she didn't really know what she wanted he gave her a couple. She took one and put it in her mouth and then promptly spit it out, picked them all up one by one and threw them on the floor. "I guess she did know what she wanted".

Missionary letters #2

Hermana Jackson,

I love you Kari. Please send me a note back. I like you. Are you having fun? Please tell me if you’re having fun or not. I miss you. I hope you have fun. Please say prayers to Jesus.

Love, Josh

I love you. I gonna have a Halloween party and wear my costume party there. I singed “follow the prophet” at church today.

Love, Dekker

Hey Karina,

I loved reading your last email. It’s so great to hear you so happy and loving the work. It was so fun to hear about the school bus that picked you up from the airport, and about driving through the city and the things you saw. It brought back so many great memories- even the little bit about the Spanish keyboards! Jake liked the yogurt drink story. And said not to worry about the bird watching thing making you sound like a nerd because, “we knew that already”! See he’s not any kinder when you’re a missionary.

Not too much to report here. Naomi and I have been sick. Her nose is running pretty much nonstop- which is pretty gross. I get slimed all the time, especially when I go to wipe it and she buries her head into my shoulder trying to get away from the tissue.

My dad came to town this weekend for a quick trip to see my grandpa. I was all excited to have him take a family picture fur us- but it was raining all weekend. So then we tried to take some inside, and of course as soon as one kid was ready to cooperate another one would start crying or whining or wiggling- so I we’ll see if he can get anything usable out of it.

Love you.

Jaime

Missionary letters #1

1. Fall weather! Tonight I watched a storm roll in from the kitchen window while I cleaned up after dinner. I love the cooler sweater weather days. I love lightning and thunder and rain. I think its because it makes me appreciate a warm home, sweaters, blankets and all those comforting/snuggly things.

2. Costumes. As you'll read in my letter below- I bought the kids their costumes this year. They're so cute! They love them- okay, so maybe Naomi doesn't really care too much- but the boys are ecstatic. At first I was a little sad that they were so insistant on buying a character costume, rather than letting me help come up with and make one for them. But, I figure when they get older the later will be more fun (and we can use stage make up, wigs, and spray paint like my mom used to let us do), and like Jake pointed out we REALLY got our money's worth out of their Spiderman costumes from last year (they're still squeezing into those.

3. My sister Karina entered the MTC last week! Today I wrote her my first letter. I decided I'd copy my friend Bri's idea and go ahead and post them on this blog since they kinda give a summary of what we're up to:

Hola mi hermanita!

Sorry I didn't write until now. If it makes you feel any better, I don't know that I wrote Garrett at all while he was in the MTC. This is actually my first time using Dear Elder- pretty cool.

I got to read your email today and I was so excited to hear that things are off to a good start. Loving your companion, roommates and district make everything so much better. I loved mine too!

We are all praying for you here. If you ever feel discouraged, homesick, or just plain tired, just think of all the prayers that are going up in your behalf from friends and family, and then remember all the prayers going up in your behalf in all the temples around the world. You've got a lot of prayer power behind you. Don't be afraid to call upon it!

I bought the kids their Halloween costumes. Naomi is a bee, Josh is Optimus Prime, and Dekker actually decided to be Wolverine! Josh and Dekker wore their costumes all conference weekend and then some. Dekker really gets into playing his character when in costume. It's pretty cute.

Naomi actually took her first steps tonight. I'm telling you before Mom- so you can feel privileged. Not like she was really walking - but would go from a stand and lunge/move her feet a step or two before falling. Before she's just practiced standing/balancing on her own- never steps.

I went to my first parent/teacher conference tonight. Man I feel old. Mrs. Smith said Josh is a stud. No really, she said he's doing really well. She did mention he's so animated and enthusiastic that she has to some times remind him to quiet down and listen to instructions. Funny how everyone always tells me how "animated" he is. Reminds me of how I used to always get mad that when I was little everyone would tell me I was so "dramatic" it made me mad because I didn't know what that meant.

Monday we went to Fat Cats bowling for FHE, and so after stopped by Garrett and Racheal's to see their place. The kids were sad that they didn't have any toys! They did find your Peanuts Holiday Collection among their movies though- and found some African whistles to blow.... Can't take those kids anywhere without them getting into stuff!

Pues, te amo mucho hermanita. Se que tu vas a ser una misionera maravillosa!!!

Jaime

9/12/2010

1. Regional/Stake Conference. Just got back from this. Got to hear from Elder Holland, Sister Beck, and President Packer. Very inspiring despite three little wiggly distractions.

2. Three little wiggly distractions. I love them. Even though they're wiggly. They remind me every day that this life is about so much more than me and my wants.

3. Remembering. Yesterday was a day of remembering 9/11. I don't think I feel it as deeply as many. Mostly because when it happened I was living far away in Guatemala City away from my fellow countrymen. It felt very surreal, watching it on the news, and hearing all of the condolences from the Guatemaltecos around me. It is amazing though all that that tragedy can remind us of, and how it can awaken us to the reality that the US can still be vulnerable, and how lucky we are to have the freedoms and protections that come at the cost of others' lives. Sometimes those others go knowingly into battle on our behalf, and other times they are stollen from us. Either way they are precious. Either way I am grateful to them.

4. School. Jake's eMBa program- which we only have one more semester to save and pay for!!! Josh's Kindergarten, which could probably be better, but he loves it because it means he's big and gives him daily interaction and learning opportunities. Dekker's preschool with Miss Tammy who is pretty much AMAZING. That Naomi is still too little for it, I'll be sad when I don't have one too little anymore. And for MY schooling- I'm done for now, and even if I never go back I got to go to BYU-Hawaii for goodness sakes- where I had so many experiences I'd never have been able to have anywhere else (I should dedicate a post to just that one day), and to finishing in Provo- where there are incredible professors and a beautiful campus that I was able to participate in at a fraction of the cost of their true value thanks to the tithing and donations of others.

5. The temple. It's been good to be able to get back. Naomi is not completely weened, but I can be away from her for long enough stints of time that I'm able to get there once again. And I love that whenever we talk of the temple Dekker's eyes get really big with excitement and he exclaims, "You get to go? And feel the Holy Spirit?!"

6. For late night movies, BBQs, Football games, Bombay House, Family reunions, kids' games, trips to the park, good talks, and small projects - which are what I spend my time doing with my husband when he is around- which isn't too often, but we make do.

Livin' in the USA

1. I am so thankful to live in this wonderful continent, country, and land. I KNOW it is a blessed place set aside for miraculous things. I KNOW that our Founding Fathers were inspired to set up this government with the freedoms that would allow this nation to rise to great heights. I'm so thankful to be born here. I'm thankful to live here. I'm thankful for all of those that have, are willing to, and will die to protect it.

2. Fireworks. Boom! POP! Sizzle... Blue, gold, red, green and all the rest. I love 'em.

3. Boating. Isn't it sad that our first time out on the boat this year was 4th of July weekend. With Jake's busy schedule, and a colder than usual spring and summer it's been hard. We were able to go both Saturday and Monday though- and it felt FABULOUS. Saturday it was just us, my sister Kari, and Trish. We had a great time though and both the boys got out on the tube. Monday we took my cousin and his family who are staying with us this week while visiting from Oregon. They have 5 boys 12 and under and non of them had been on a tube or wakeboard before. THEY LOVED IT. Especially their 10 year old Ammon who held on through more than we've put ANYONE through before. He also really wanted to try the wakeboard- so Jake put him between his legs on the board and they got up so he could at least get a taste for it. It was a blast.

4. New favorite song. I love Sara Bareilles' new song "King of Anything". It makes me happy.

5. Bybee fam. We had a reunion with a lot of the "Grandpa Bybee on down" crew Monday night. Love 'em. There was maybe half us there and it was still QUITE the bunch. I sat watching Grandpa watching all his posterity visiting, playing, and running around him. He was laughing at a toe-headed toddler playing in the water spicket. How incredible it must be- to know that they all came from his choice to take my grandma to the temple and be married all those years ago. And to see the quality of people his faith, example and hard work has contributed to... WOW.

6. Having the hubby home for a weekend. It was SO NICE to have Jake here for THREE WHOLE days as well as a Friday night. I don't ever really even get TWO. Especially since he was recently released as YM president and so didn't have all his Sunday morning meetings. And watching him laugh as he drives the boat dumping people from the tube- yeah its pretty dang hot! Oh how I love my man. Right now he's on his laptop trying to get back in to "homework mode" like a good little boy. Not many people can know how to work, play and love like he does.