Our Christmas Letter 2009!

I just like to give a quick update every year on how the Jared Johnson Family is doing and this year I am going completely green with our yearly update by putting it up on our blog, through e-mail and FB whether it be good, bad or indifferent.  We just want you all to know how much we care and love you, but hope this is not too impersonal. 

We will start with Jared.  He started and completed the P.O.S.T. Academy in 2009 and graduated valedictorian.  He is now applying for deputy and officers positions, but currently has not found a department to call home yet.  I know it will happen!  He would be an amazing asset to any department!  Jared also did quite a bit with his side business, JDJ Multi-Media LLC.  He likes to import and edit video, work with digital pictures, shoot photos, make slideshows, film video and work with audio.  He is working on several exciting videos this year.  He loved to be busy and loved spending time with our three children.  It has been such a blessing to have Jared home this year and continuing his education.  He is enjoying being in the High Priest group leadership in our ward.  He had the opportunity at the end of 2008 to have the honor of is father setting him apart as a High Priest.  He is such an example in our family.  He always tells me, "Everthing will work out." and it always does.  He is a rock!   

I am still loving my job.  I work for a great accounting firm and am in my 12th year with them.  I still do the firm accounting and take care of all the personnel needs of the company.  My title is Administrative Assistant. I again had the opportunity of putting together the annual Christmas party and it included many of our clients as well as our employees.  We rented a local theatre and invited Jason Hewlett, The Entertainter (click to enjoy his hilarious promo) to entertain our employees and guests.  We had a spectactular turn out with approximately 1,200 in attendance and it was incredible.  It was really fun to head up such a project.  I am involved in many interesting and challenging projects.  Besides my day job that keeps me busy, I love to sell AVON (to support my own bad habits!), play volleyball once a week, scrapbook with one of my best friends once a week and serve in the Relief Society presidency as the Enrichment Counselor.  First and foremost are my beautiful children.  They bring so much joy and happiness to my life.  I am grateful beyond words to be trusted as a mother!

Kirina Lee's Update:
Kirina is in the 3rd grade now and rocking reading.  I can't keep her nose out of books!  She is enjoying school and loves to be the big sister.  She is in a different hallway and gets to pick up Kysa after school.  She is such a sweet girl and I love that she likes to be in charge.  She is a girl after my own heart.  She loves the Earth and is very concerned about saving dolphins and water and trees.  She is very open minded and observant.  She started a "club" to pick up litter and clean up the neighborhood and keep our Earth clean.  I remember being a 9 year old with many "clubs".  Jared and I love watching this girl's brain work.  She is amazing.  She is all girl and oh so sassy at times!

Kysa Christine's Update:
Kysa is in the 1st grade and she will more than likely tell you that she missed the deadline in Kindergarten by 14 days and that she should be in the 2nd grade!  She is a brainiac and loves to learn.  She is very much in the top of her class and is competitive to stay there.  She is a very by the rules girl and wants to make sure everyone is obeying.  We never know what she is going to come up with or say next.  She is very imaginative (something that comes from her father).  She is enjoying school and also loves being a Mother hen to her little brother.  Kysa loves anything that has to do with ponies and horses.  She is our little equestrian.

Jordan Justice's Update:
Jordan is now 3 and what can I say, a Terror!  He has so much energy and is such a boy.  If I have a house standing by the time he is raised, I will have done my job!  The girls sometimes (well most of the time) leave markers and crayons within his reach and we have many permanent murals on our walls.  I have completely given up trying to wash and paint over most of them for the time being.  He is a destructo maniac, but oh so cute!  He makes our family complete and we wouldn't trade him for the world.  Jordan likes Batman and Robin and wants 2 guns with bullets (of course to be like daddy), a skateboard and Legos for Christmas.

We didn't have any huge trips this year like we did last year, but we got to spend time with my brother and his family at Thomas the Train in Heber City and we enjoyed a camping trip at the Minnetonka Caves.  I am pretty sure all of you know that my one and only brother and his family were in a tragic car accident on August 5 of this year.  He did not survive his injuries and returned to live with our Heavenly Father.  We are grateful beyond words that we were able to have so many fun memories with him in 2009 and many, many more previously.  We are also grateful that we still have his cute little family as part of our Earthly family and don't know that we could have gotten through this without them.  So Merry Christmas, Phil (and please tell Dad, Grandpa T and Grandpa S Merry Christmas from us)!

We are looking to have an incredible 2010 and hoping that all our family and friends have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We wish you all the best and hope to hear from you!  Drop us a line at jenniel_johnson@msn.com  or find me on Facebook (Jared doesn't have one, but I love it....Jennie Sorensen Johnson)

Love,
The Johnsons...Jared, Jennie, Kirina, Kysa and Jordan

My 31st

Now that’s a lot of candles…I will spare you the time of counting them out! I turned 31 on November 30^th. My kids couldn’t believe how many candles you can fit on the cake and can’t wait until they have that many. Kysa said, “Wow mom…you are SOOOOO old!” I couldn’t help but laugh because when I was 7 I thought 31 was ancient, now it is not looking so bad. I don’t feel old. Other than being a few pounds over weight and not being able to shed it like I used to, I feel great. (Jared and I have been running 1.6 miles on M, Tu, Th & F to keep him fit for hire...so maybe they will start shedding sooner than expected!) My mom made me a delicious cake and Michelle and kids came to celebrate as well as Toomer aunts and uncles and cousins and grandmas! It was a blast. I got 31 items from the dollar store from "my brother" and I have put them ALL to good use. I thought that was pretty creative of Michelle and kids. Love you guys... and thanks to all that celebrated one more year with me!

My hubby's b-day is tomorrow...we won't mention ages...but he is 6 years OLDER than me! hahahaha....I have a volleyball tourney to play in tomorrow, but we will celebrate after!

Update! Can you believe it!?!

He did it, he did it, he did it!!! Graduating TOP in his class in the BATC P.O.S.T. Class #27 on Friday the 13th ....ho ua! We are officially on the job hunt. We are applying far and wide (anything that says police officer or deputy sheriff) and hoping for a good thing to happen! I know it will, I am just not a very patient person. I want it right now, my way. I have also learned that life doesn't ever just work out the way you think it will, you have to work with what life gives you and build your own future. Now if I can just master turning all the lemons to lemonade lately! (Both vehicles in the shop, water pressure regulator to the house going out, all the appliances need replacing, no prospective police positions, sinus infection (ouch)!!! Ugh...) But I am still thankful for all my many, many blessings....see below! Anywho, just wanted to post how proud I am of my brilliant hubby and all his efforts for another school year and being the stay at home daddy and running his home based business! He is a busy man....Love ya!

Jared's Mom! .............................................Kysa at the after party!

We celebrated with Mexican bottled Coke and yummy French dip sandwiches! That is as WILD as we get! It was delish!

November = Thanks

In light of all the emotionally trying things lately, I have so much to be thankful for....sometimes it helps to make a list:
1)Jared
2)Kirina
3)Kysa
4)Jordan
5)My home
6)My career
7)Our ward
8)Our religion
9)Our beliefs(I think these are close but different)
10)Halloween candy!!!! (Especially the chocolate)
11)Great friends
12)Strong extended family roots
13)Working vehicles
14)Scrapbooking day
15)Aerobics
16)The ability to do aerobics
17)My sister (in-law)...but now my only sibling on Earth
18)My beautiful neice and her fourth birthday on Saturday!
19)My only Sorensen Nephew
20)Grandma T
21)Good health
22)Food to eat
23)Internet
24)Cell Phone
25)Technology
26)My mom
27)Tylenol
28)My ability to read, write and learn
29)Smallville (I love Tom Welling!)
30)Did I mention my MOM!
31)Hawaii (I have been 3 times in the last 11 years!)
Man, the list could go on and on and on....I like to remember all the things I have to be grateful for because I could get caught up in the disappointments lately, but why? What good would that do for anyone? Especially my kids! So anyone else going through a rough bout, make a list of your things to be grateful for and remember them when you are feeling down. Because there are many, many less fortunate than we are!

Halloween!

Absolutely love Halloween...I love the fall and the leaves and colors, hot chocolate and soup time...sweatshirts, but not so fond of winter, although I love to ski! I posted this Halloweenie pic for Mom...(The Black Sheet of her family...as she always says...only girl out of 3 boys!) Love you MOM!

More random Halloween pics over the years!

Kysa....Little Devil 2007

A lot of friends...2007

Rina Bug...2005

The Johnson Halloween Party 2004...Lookin scary...Kess & Ang

More 2004 with Little Emma

Snow White...Belle & the Black Cat with Mom/Aunt Jen!

Headed to the Mall cause it was FREEZING with Phil, Shell & Andy 2004 (This Halloween won't be the same w/o you Phyillis)

The gang together at Gram T's in Cokeville 2008!

Daddy trying on the Headless Horseman costume for Uncle Phil with Jordan(Captn Hook) Kirina(Dorothy) & Kysa(Little Miss Witch) 2008

Jared getting ready to be the Grim Reaper with Phil as the Headless Horseman to scare little kiddies on Grandma's front porch!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2009.....May all your kids get great candy! Have fun...Be Safe!

Here it is!

So Kirina is dying to get this bug collection up on the internet! So here it is...the final project! 3rd Grade yucky bug collection. She did a really good job and I stood by and watched her and her dad complete the project. Thanks Daddy!

Bug Collection

So Kirina has to have a stinkin bug collection for 3rd grade. Gross....I haven't been able to bring myself to pin the bugs to the board. The grasshoppers and praying mantis looks at me (they are all dead) but it creeps me out. And there is this big huge beetle that I really do NOT want to touch.

But of course I will do it for my precious girlie! I can't believe what we have to do as mothers....Hey wait a minute! She has a FATHER...yay! Bug collection and pinning and spreading of wings and legs here we come! We will show you final project soon!

August 2009 Heartache

In Loving Memory.....

(Deputy Sorensen LOVED his job)

So it is about time I get back to the blog. I have put this off long enough and have to post it so I can be done and move on (until the next breakdown)!

On August 5, 2009 I lost my only sibling in a tragic car accident. He lived long enough for us to say goodbye. He left behind the "love of his life" and his two precious children, his mother, his nieces who adored him and his nephew that will miss him, a brother-in-law that was more than a brother but a BEST FRIEND and a sad sister that has been shook to the core by this!

It is Phil's birthday today.....he was to be 28.

Philip Andrew Sorensen.....some of the best and worst pics to follow:

Philip always had a SMILE!

He loved Michelle.

Loved his kids (and being goofy!)

He loved his Dad(Andy)..also died, Sept 14, 1999, Mom(Barbara), Sister (Jennie-me)
Christmas 1984

To all those who knew Phil or met him just once, thanks for being his friend. He touched many lives and especially mine. We had a bond that will not be broken by death. We will see each other again.
He was a jokester and lovable person, although you didn't want to be around when he was in a bad mood. He always tried to have a smile and if he could help in any situation he would.

When I think of Philip it will be fond memories. Thanks to everyone who called, e-mailed, sent cards, came to the viewings, came to the funeral, participated in the funeral, to my sister-in-law who is a ROCK, to my mom, to my Grandma Toomer who stayed by his side as they loaded in the life flight, to my Uncle John who was there also, to my Aunt Karla who could be there as a fireman on the scene of the accident, to Mr. Price who called 911, to all the emergency workers and hospitals that saved by darling neice, to my mother-in-law who met us at the hospital to take my kids at 3 a.m., to my Mom AGAIN for being there for me, to all the many, many friends and acquaintences of both Phil and I...Thank you. I love you all and Phil I love you with all my HEART. (I will play 10 fruits on you when I get to Heaven so you better be thinkin' of a list of fruits ....make it 20 fruits for leavin' us early!)

July Adventures

Our July started with a camp trip with my side of the family...here are a few photos.

Then a week later we went camping again with my brother's family...

Then we spent 4 days with Jared's family...

Then went to the lake....

Jared took care of our garden....(or plantation as I like to call it....)

We finished off the month at my mom's house with a scrapbooking extravaganza in her basement with me, her, my aunt from Nevada and my grandma. We had a great time and some extremely late nights/early morning adventures (not to mention the mouse hunting breaks we took)...we exterminated 5 or 6 mice with handy dandy mops, brooms and shoes. I was on the couch throwing objects at them mostly (I like to call myself the mouse scouter), Susan had the broom and Jared manuevered them out of the corners with the mop...it was a scrapbooking adventure we will never forget! Thanks mom...hope we got them all because we know how much you love the company!

FB

So you know how I wasn't a member of FaceBook last post?!! Well this post I am and I am so addicted. It is like on online popularity contest and I HEART, HEART, HEART seeing all my friends in one place. It is so fun. If you are a fellow FBer and want to be my friend you can find me at facebook.com\JennieSorensenJohnson!! Come on, I know you want to! Just look for this picture. I know, I know...not so awesome like some of ya'lls but It is the most recent of me (last year in Kauai, HI....awww)

So check it out...not a lot else goin on. We are headed off to another camp trip soon and we are so excited. In fact I better get some shut eye so I can get into work early to get off by NOON! Yay...a short Friday, sort of!

Blogging World

I am so excited that my Sister-in-Law and Bro decided to join the blogging world. I have been nagging at them for awhile now. It is fun and challenging to stay up on the every day happenings, but what better place than to put it on the blog to share with curious people like myself. I know a lot of you are on facebook or Twitter, but whoa hold the phone....I am just barely getting the hang of blogging. I will stick with this for awhile....

My girlies are coming home tonight...they have been with my Mom since Sunday. I am so excited to see them. Seems like an eternity!

We had a fun, fun Toomer Camp Trip. It was a blast. It was my Grandpa Toomer's tradition to go to a certain camp spot over the 4th of July. Most of us were there....It was a blast. It rained on Friday and made it really, really muddy (I will post pics later), but the camp trip overall was so much fun. Thanks everyone who made the trip possible.

Incredible Hubby

You've heard the saying, "Jack of all trades, Master of none." Not my husband. He knows so much about a lot of things and has mastered a handful with a strong desire to master all he can including but not limited to the Gospel. He is incredible and this is a late Happy Father's Day post to him. He has been trying to juggle his business, current schooling, our children, my honey-do's, garden, housework, church callings, etc. and has done a wonderful job. Well his honey-do for today was changing the brakes on the Jeep and re-installing the driver side door. How many of you can say, "My husband does all our mechanical work on our vehicles!"?? I can...(with the right tools) ....So this is not our Jeep, but though it fitting to place a pic here so you get the idea....Insert picture here...

So ...Jared (yes I meant to use his name because this whole craziness of not using first names is ending right here because I need to quit being a paranoid bordering on craziness!jk)

I love you with all my heart and am so proud that you are my Mr. Fix-it. You are amazing and I am so proud of you in all your endeavours. We have three beautiful children ...insert picture here... and for that I am eternally grateful!