About Just Jen!

Highland, Ut
Joyfully married to Pete. We have 6 incredible kids. 5 girls and 1 boy!! I live a simple life, in a simple home..drive a simple car..etc. etc. and thats the way I like it! I'm surrounded by lots of family. 16 siblings and all of our kids together ,.as of now.. a total of 35 kids and 3 on the way. Of course Music is our life...but other than that I love the outdoors,...camping, hiking, site seeing etc. Reading,.playing around with my kids...traveling by car...singing with my sisters,...and so much more!

Monday, June 30, 2008

Happy 3rd Birthday JJ!!! (Jennifer Iulia)




Jj's favorite song:

There was a tiny turtle, his name was Tiny Tim.
I put him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim
He drank up all the water, he ate up all the soap.
And now when he talks, there's a bubble in his throat.
bubble bubble bubble
bubble bubble bubble
bubble bubble bubble
bubble bubble....POP!!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

No more slacking...


I can't believe myself...I missed the whole month of June and didn't go to church.
I'm actually feeling the consequence of not going these past weeks,..and I'm ready
to go back. It really is home for me...I guess sometimes you just want to run away...
for your own reasons...but then you find out that you NEED to go back and DO what
you need to. I hope this week I can gain back that closeness I usually feel to our
Savior,..cuz I've definitely felt the void.
We have a MY SISTERS show coming up early Aug. so I best get myself together til then..
And lots of family coming up this month too...

Saturday, June 28, 2008

help!!

well...I'm up late and posting the pics was not enough.
I took my kids out today right after work and all was fun 'til we got in the car...all of a sudden complaints about how boring our summer has been so far,..and whining about having to do their chores...and flare ups in the back seat about anything and everything......
I just about had it...but I somehow kept my cool,..turned the radio off and just talked and talked and talked. Explaining this and that.......am I the only one doing this all the time?...
I have great kids really...but ughhh...sometimes its just insane....the older ones wanna do this and the younger ones wanna do that....I guess this is my learning curve as I go into a different stage in the parenting process...learning how to handle the tweens vs. the younger ones. Any suggestions?

random pic...

Like I said...I luv messin' around with my kids. Natalia is exactley ME when I was a child...I'm definitely gonna do my best to not ruin it for her...like it was for me. Luv you princess Natalia!!..(.btw...this is for YOU...MIKE...for that blog..).

Wolfgramm Kids!!

My brother Haini and his Wife Sarah have been busy with their 8 children and one on the way. Here's some recent pics I found of a photo shoot they did for their portfolio. They are an actual band,..they all play instruments...and are a really fun family....you can see them appear on 'Yo Gabba Gabba' on Nick Jr's 'Greeting' episode.Make sure you check 'em out.




Saturday, June 21, 2008

falling rock...

A couple days ago..Olimpia came home from Young Womens camp. She told me all about her trip and mentioned how a huge falling rock hit her and landed on her right arm and rolled off... I was surprised, looked at her arm...saw the bruises and then continued to ask her questions about all the little details.

What a DUMB mother I am.... I knew it was a miracle that it didn't land on her head. But it just didn't really REALLY soak in til the next day. I was just a ponderin' bout life...and then what she told me came to me again...and I started to panic so to speak.

That ROCK could have hit her HEAD....then EVERY possibility of 'COULD HAVE BEENS' came to mind...the could have been 'nightmares'....
And I sure felt guilty for not seeing that as something to go to the Lord for...and to give THANKS for watching over her that day!

There our countless close 'run ins' of danger of many kinds... some we over look...call it lucky,..and we move on with our lives. But I wonder sometimes how many of those 'close encounters' are really miracles...and if we could look past the veil.. how many special angels there are protecting our way...even on a daily basis.

I know some of my special angels are my grandparents...on both sides..but specifically grandma and grandpa wolfgramm.....

I hope to never make this mistake again...and be sure fall straight to my knees and give thanks and recognition to the protector and savior of us all.

gnite

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Jet memories....

I hardly ever talk about The Jets...for some reason its like a forbidden word and subject to me or something like that....my brothers and sisters will be shocked I'm even blogging about this subject..but I guess I've always thought about those days...if I just PEEL off the icky extra stuff and think about JUST that place in time...the pre-Jet days to about '89...I'll have to tell you...it is some great memories. I was in the backround most of the time..and I was in depressed,.feeling neglected mode...but when I look back...I guess it all wasn't so bad. I enjoyed sooo much of it...every thing was so NEW and GRAND to me...(especially cuz we were so dirt poor before that..we lived off of bologne sandwiches and wierd food my dad would put together)...

I remember how fun it was to have people notice me at the mall and mistake me for Liz or Mo....and I would happily sign their autographs...I remember the CAMERA'S and the SCREAMS..and special attention made by random people every where....It was neat to feel important...

I was a die hard Prince fan back then...and it was my dream come true that we got to practice in his warehouse...where I couldn't help myself from taking posters..buttons...anything I could get my hands on.....and then to get to go to his studio and record one of the albums..I will never forget sitting in the studio waiting for them to finish recording...when the door opened...and I just saw this little butt...(well the side of his butt).. pass like 10 inches from my nose...and I realized it was my Prince!!! He went in to listen to one of the songs...'You better Dance' I think it was....I remember him running around (in his heels cuz I could hear the clinks). playing hide n seek with his girlfriend at the time....I felt extremely ugly in my sweats...being around other celebrities is a good way to feel sick about YOURSELF...hehehe...

I was bummed when I didn't get to go to the American Music Awards where my next favorite band at the time was gonna play..Metallica..My sisters said they were hecka tight live.....

After doing the Kool Aid Koolers and the Dorito's commercial...I remember the tour bus literally filled with kool-aid drinks and bags and bags of Dorito's. My dad would not let any of it go to waste...so in every city on the tour...more and more dorito's and Kool aid koolers would be added to the pile....til this day...I don't like Dorito's or kool aid koolers.

I remember feeling guilty about the 'Smoke Free Generation' campaign that The Jets were actively involved in...they even went to Washington and did a concert for Nancy Reagan since I think it was her campaign....but I felt guilty cuz I was totally smoking all over the place...hehahahh..in every city and country....ohhhh...

Anywhooo...I'll have to blog about more of the memories when they come...
It was a great time.....
and the interesting thing about it all.......is.....once the MONEY is gone,...and new artists arrive....Oh how people change...and what you THINK you have...can be GONE as fast as it came.
Unfortunately the downfall came because of those who LED it...and my DEAR brothers and sisters were INNOCENT and NAIVE of it all. They truly had hearts of gold...intentions true,...unmistakable TALENT..which continues in all of them to this day....the money never mattered...nor the recognition...they just always wanted to share what GOD gave them.

I appreciate each one of them...for going OUT of their way..back then...to make me feel a PART of it ALL.....When I think of the good...I guess I'm grateful for those days...and I shouldn't feel ashamed when someone asks...Are you from the JETS?...becuz it was a good time...and as a family we have learned a heck of a lot from those experiences.

Here's some videos I found on you tube...posted by fans...I guess we still got some out there! And if you want a good laugh go to You tube and read the comments of these video's..Hilarious!!
CHIP AND DALES RESCUE RANGERS..they did this for the PREMIER..

YOU GOT IT ALL
this was filmed I think at Crossroads mall in Minnesota. They were filming til like early early morning. Everyones shake was sitting there FOREVER til they finally got the shot..only Eddies was fresh..if you look closely..you can tell they're stale. This was a fun video to shoot..at least for me it was.And Liz had a hard time looking at the fake boyfriend...she WAS like only a tween.

I can honestly tell you that we were HAD by our manager,.we really did BELIEVE this song meant rockin' the music....ROCKET 2 U
CRUSH ON YOU
I don't really remember anything at this video...I know I was there..but I guess I wasn't caring..

PRIVATE NUMBER
The number in this video was real...it was the JETS hotline number where you could hear messages from your favorite Jet member..and if you were real lucky...you might just get a real member answer the phone which I remember them doing...this was filmed in the alleys somewhere downtown Minneapolis...I just remember all the goodies that were catered!
MINNESOTA MUSIC AWARDS PART 1 AND 2 at 5;05 is the Be Smart Dont Start commercial
In some of the shots you will see my dad and other family members..you can see Lei and my cousin Letitia...I WAS there..in what I thought was the prettiest pink dress that would get Prince's attention...but ohhhh..was I wrong...thank goodness you can't see me.



FOR MORE ON EVERY THING JETS...GO TO CRUSHONTHEJETS.COM AN UNOFFICIAL FAN SITE CREATED BY ROB..THANKS ROB!! OR CLINK ON MY LINK WEST SIDE STORY...TO THE RIGHT OF HERE.

time for a visit...

my new job has been so rewarding so far...I pretty much get things done quickly,..then I sneak into the rooms and just sit and talk..ask questions and learn about the lives of these amazing people.
Today during a couple of conversations..I got teary eyed when I mentioned my grandma..and how I regret not visiting her as much as I should have. These folks get visits from their children and other family members...but not as much as they would like. You would think they all know each other..but they don't..and the nurses and everyone coming and going is so busy doing their jobs..leaving these folks lonely and wishing for more conversation....
There is a George Crawford whom I've grown to love and respect in such a short time...he served a mission in Tonga 15 years before Groberg did,..his daughter wrote a history of his life,.which I browsed thru while we talked...I can just say..AMAZING...he served many missions..like my own grandpa...and his eyes twinkled and smiled when we made connections...he's the last of his siblings to go..and wonders whats taking so long..hehe..he is 92.
Anyways..I can go on and on..but its probably not interesting to anyone...all I can say..is if you have some free time...go to a nursing home..or assisted living home and just go to hang out and chat with them. You'll start to appreciate them,.and give much props to them for the lives they lived,..the achievements they made..etc. And you'll appreciate and put your own life into proper perspective....this post is for my new found friends...George Crawford,..Beulah Toro (grandma Boo),.Jenny (who never talks,..but I know she hears me)..Charles Stone (was BYU hawaii's music director from 1964-1969),..and Glen Cook who just passed away....Evelyn,..Dorothy West...

Monday, June 16, 2008

in the mood...

guess I'm in the mood for writing...I've got the house to myself..Olimpia and Tele are at camp..and the rest are at my sister Lei's. I'm exhausted and tired and wish someone would massage my feet. I'm in a nothing mood...actually now that I think of it...I guess I don't have anything in mind to write....maybe I'll go read a book or make me some pasta salad..mmmmm

hangin' with the cuzzin's

Oh so many kids...I get so excited to hang out with my sisters..then we realize how many kids there are when we get together...we sometimes have to think twice...but the kids looove being together!!




Wednesday, June 11, 2008

kara henderson!!

Here's a couple pics from the other night at the 'Velour' in Provo. It was 'Battle of the Bands'..and NOT to my suprise Kara won and will go on to another round this Sat...Kara is my cousin..and she's amazing, sweet,smart and just a really good girl. My brothers Mika and Donny played as her band that night...it was fun!! Kara's music style is sort of Jack Johnson meets Norah Jones...anyhow,..not my style of music,.never the less SHE was great!


Sunday, June 8, 2008

old pic..



I had to steal this old pic from my sisters blog...
from L>R Rudy, cousin Ammon, (back)my dad, his sister Leilani and her son Alma, Leroy, Haini, my mom. (middle) Moana, Kathi, Liz (front) Lei and Me, Jenny!! I remember getting in trouble during that pic...see my moms hand right behind my head..well...I remember her snagging my hair becuz I forgot to put on undies and the photographer had me put my arm over my lap...but...hey..I still look happy..look at that smile!!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

working mom..

....start my part-time job tomorrow,.:) I'll be working at Bel-Air's assisted living home..I'm excited to get to know these old folks!

Monday, June 2, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TELE!!



JUNE 2 1999
My one and only boy...Tele boy as we call him..has turned 9 today!! I really wish I could rewind the time and hold him again when he was just chubs. So far he's been everything and more than I've always wanted....he loves being the only son and gets really sad when I talk about wanting another boy..someday he'll realize he's irreplaceable...

Sunday, June 1, 2008

thinking Choir...


If you've never had this calling,..let me tell you...it is tough. At first I was quite upset,..and thought I shouldn't have been called just because they know I sing..and or come from a musical family...I know NOTHING of music..or musicality...I JUST SING...thats it...

so anyhow..I've had this calling (ward choir director) for a year now..and surprisingly I've enjoyed it and have learned alot...I've learned alot NOT in the musical sense...but in the 'people' sense. I have an amazing group who I think come just to support and would rather be home Sunday afternoons then at practice...then there's some who I 'think' look at me and say in their heads...'poor girl is trying too hard'..or 'what in the world is she thinking'....I'll go home sometimes with peoples facial expressions molded in my head and I just think I better call the bishop and resign....

buttt I personally view and believe callings really ARE given by inspiration from the Lord...and so I still hold on..hoping to learn what I need to,.. even when its completely OUT of my comfort box and when I say 'out of my comfort box' I mean soooo uncomfortable you feel like 'hmmm...honey didn't you say you always wanted to move to Southern Utah?'...and you just don't want to show up at church....all of a sudden your not feeling so well....you start to think negative thoughts....I guess thats part of the challenge...

...well...I'm just glad it's summer and Choir is on hold til the fall...I hope by then I'll be able to come back renewed and inspired with what the Lord would really have me do. If youve heard anything good that I've accomplished so far with the ward (there has been some special/emotional moments)..I can honestly tell you..its ALL the Lord and absolutely not coming from me..or my mind...thank goodness he's been willing to step in and give strength and inspiration when I've needed it most!!!