Just Jen

stress

2009-10-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

This has been such a crazy year...I would sum it up with the word "uncertainty".
We've been playing a waiting game with the state who is tearing our house down because of a road widening....we don't know where we want to move just yet...but I have alot of homes already in mind....the home buying process is such a drag..but we're gettin' thru it...

In the meantime...I've been enjoying motherhood like never before. It's so nice to have real conversations with my older girls...and then turn around and be silly with my younger ones.

I went thru a summer of really being annoyed at Pete's love for golf...but I've come to terms with it and realized that there's really nothing I can do about it...so I'll move on and focus on something else...

I'm pissed at myself for gaining so much weight...but I'm determined to start shedding it off .... 'soon'...hehehe... I care..but then I don't care...just one of those things....

Happy that my siblings got together and did a reunion concert in HI..which I totally missed...I had the opportunity..but passed on it with total regret...and can't wait for my sister Moana to move here in Jan....we can then work on some new My Sisters projects....

Here's the latest from that show in HI (my sister Liz couldn't make it...she's due with baby #6 anytime now)

been awhile...

2009-05-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

geez..I almost forgot all about my blog...now that my baby is here..which by the way was born April 3, 2009..named her Faith Hinalei....anyway...now that she's here..and I'm not working no more..I can blog a little more.
Faith is my last child..7th...and I love every inch of this little being. Its been an interesting progression from how I felt with my first child to this one.
I had to learn to love..with the first one...everything about being a mom was so new...and as each child came it started to come more naturally...now I just am soaking in everything......oh darn...she's waking up...til later...

Activate the Active

2008-12-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

I was just contemplating this Sunday afternoon these words that was shared a couple Sundays ago from our Stake presidency. I don't really remember what his talk was about, but when he said these words.."We need to activate the active", it struck a cord with me. I consider myself an active member in my church and my faith, but it really made sense to me and made me realize that although I may be active, I may not be ACTIVATED so to say. I know I'm guilty of just going thru the motions of what I know I'm suppose to do,..but lacking the ENERGY OF SOUL and SPIRIT of what I'm doing.
I guess when your truly 'active' you are in a state of mind of constantly looking for and doing what you feel you need to do. Selfless acts of service, random acts of kindness, anxiously looking for teaching and learning opportunities, etc. etc. So I guess I'm gonna try a little harder to not just be 'present',.. but actively present...not just living but actively living...actively engaged in good causes, and actively engaged as a mother and wife, sister and daughter.

over the weekend..

2008-12-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

Went to California over the weekend with my son Tele. We stayed at the Queen Mary in Long Beach,..it was so at first something I didn't want to do,..but when we got there I had such a good time with my siblings although the kids for some reason annoyed me. I was there to support my mother who was the guest of honor for the Tongan celebration they were having there. 11 out of the 17 siblings were able to make it,..we did a performance in honor of her and it ended up being really fun. No drama's..just good times. Just one small glitch,..but no fights..heehee.
I guess I left feeling appreciative of my parents no matter our differences. And I loved having one on one time with Tele..... anyway..its my birthday..and I think I want some cookies...ciao

back in business..

2008-11-22T10:23:00.000-08:00

After only having my laptop for 4 months it crashed on me,.. and trying to get it fixed with the manufactures warranty and with the warranty I wasted my money on purchasing...it ended up being just a whole big mess and I will never purchase a warranty again. So I'm just calling the local pc place to have it fixed..ughh. In the meantime a friend called up and asked if we were interested in a brand new mini notebook.....heck ya...its a little small..but its good for what you need. So I'm back in business and can get back to my blogging.

Not much has happened, just busy with work,..which I will be leaving in Jan. Felt some movement in my womb..so that was exciting...and just enjoying my beautiful kids in the meantime. I really love being with them and know that this time will soon be a distant memory.

My Family Tree!

2008-09-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

My sister in law ANA posted this up on her blog...and I loved it...so I'm sharing it on mine. (Sorry Ana...I don't have the patience or knowledge of how to put this together on my own)

Its my 'WOLFGRAMM FAMILY TREE' in order from the oldest to the youngest minus my 2 adopted brothers. Its so cute how she did it...anyhow...enjoy. Click on the pictures to see the enlarged
version.

2008-09-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

2008-09-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

2008-09-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

choir pics...

2008-09-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Well my weekend to Park City was a total BLAST!!!!
I just walked in.... and if I could... I would walk RIGHT BACK OUT!
It just wasn't long enough...and my house smelt like DOG when I walked in...what a dissappointment

Anyway...I met some wonderful people from my neighborhood and I was surprised that I didn't
feel like an outsider...they were terrific and hilarious...

Anyhow....yesterday we had choir rehearsal at the CONFERENCE CENTER...it was so much
fun....

I look like a WHALE,...but for memory sake I just have to accept the photos...and
let it be...

so here are some photo's thanks to my sister in law JAYLYNN....THANK U THANK U THANK U!

Here we are in the place of the great MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR!!.. It was amazing to be right in
front of those huge organ pipes....

You probably can't spot me..but I'm in the middle right area like 3 rows down...

Wow...I'm a little nervous about what I'm gonna look like if I make it on camera..I'll have to find something else to do with my hair...should I wear my glasses or not??..hmmm

Raquel,Dayna,Sally and I...just a few of the women I hung out with in Park City...

I'm not sure their names..but they are in the General Relief Society board...I just missed Sister Allred..and I hope to get one with Sister Beck...

SO LONG...FAREWELL!!!

2008-09-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Good bye messy house!!
So long... pile of laundry,...honory child...smelly pets...the sound of disney channel...
quarreling kids...music obsessed tween...golf addicted dad...toilet that needs to be scrubbed...
etcetera etcetera.....I seriously can go on forever,,,,,

And Hello to my weekend getaway to PARK CITAAY!!! YAY! (with a group of women from my ward)
I'm about to leave in less than 10 minutes...got my bag packed with some really good books...and I'm gonna ENJOY AND RELAX!!

See ya'll later.

random act of kindness!!.....

2008-09-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

To my complete surprise today... I became a victim of a random act of kindness!! I've been so excited and TOUCHED by it,..that as soon as I got home...I just wanted to blog about it.

So my day started out pretty slowly, I promised my daughter a reward for reading her scriptures for an hour each day this week...so today we went out to get it.
So after stopping by at the mall, and a few other places..I was feeling pretty tired, and just wanted to go home...but I knew we needed groceries so we'd have to make a quick stop at Walmart.

I stopped and counted what was left in my wallet, and knew that before we went in..we'd have to stick to the budget,..and no wasteful extra's... I hate being on a budget when it comes to groceries....

On my way in, there was a group of people on their way out... whom I didn't really notice,..but my older kids did...I was just concentrating on getting JJ to stay put in the cart....
anyhow....I walked passed the old people who greet you when you walk in the store...

til this lady runs towards me,.. out of breath... and I couldn't really understand what she was saying,.. all I understood was that there was something for me,..if I could follow her back outside.

So I followed her back out of the store,.. and theres this group of about 10 people. A couple of men and a bunch of women with a cart of groceries. They introduced themselves and said they had gotten together to do a random act of kindness..they had purchased groceries for a full on Thanksgiving Dinner... and were hoping to find the right person to give it to. When they had seen me walking in,... they said they knew..."THAT IS THE ONE!!"

I felt like I was on a hidden camera show... and I always thought to myself,..'I WOULD NEVER CRY'..but whatdaya know... I bawled like a baby... I was overwhelmed and very appreciative.
They all gave me hugs and told me their names... told me that I'm loved and Special and walked me to my car along with the kids to put the groceries away.

This group was from different parts of Utah...from St.George to Bountiful. I don't know if they were a church group or what...but it didn't matter. It was a wonderful act of kindness that definitley made a difference for me!!

I was greatful that my kids got to see that..and we had a great discussion about it on our way home. I sometimes wonder was it really meant to be ME or was it a mere coincidence....

I believe it probably WAS meant for me...and another testimony to me that the LORD puts things in motion sometimes cuz he knows what is needed. It was not so much the FOOD alone that was needed... I wasn't THAT broke... but it definitely was 'LOVE FROM STRANGERS' that was ABSOLUTELY needed at this time in my life!!

I definitely want to spread the kindness and do something random within the next couple days....hope you will too!!

Bad Fruit inspiration.....

2008-09-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

So here is what was read the night of my last choir rehearsal...we got a copy of it tonight...which I must say was another great rehearsal. We had an unexpected visit from Julie Beck, the Relief Society PRESIDENT.... her spirit and words she shared brought me to full on tears. I think she lives in my area,..she mentioned seeing alot of familiar faces from the grocery store!!

Anyhow....friends.....COPY THIS MESSAGE!! AND SHARE IT!!!

Strengthen the Hands of Your Fellow Beings

If you feel evil, keep it to yourselves until you overcome that evil principle. This is what I call resisting the devil, and he flees from me.

(Discourses of Brigham Young Second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Page 123
By John A. Widtsoe Published by Kessinger Publishing,2004)

When you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity,let your light shine;but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves--keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character.

If persons think they have greater sorrow and affliction than any others, when they reveal that sorrow and affliction, it produces fruit. You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families, friends, and neighbours ,we can bear them off alone.

But if we have light or intelligence--that which will do good, we will impart it; but our bad feelings, our desponding feelings, our dark hours, and disagreeable sensations we will keep to ourselves.

Let that be the determination of every individual, for spirit begets spirit--likeness,likeness; feelings beget their likeness; and custom, custom.

You know very well, by your own experience, that you are naturally inclined to more or less adopt the customs, feelings, and manners of the people you associate with. If, then, we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in Others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair!

If you have anything good to say, speak it and comfort the hearts of the Saints. If you have that which tends to death, keep it to yourselves; we do not want it, for we already have plenty of it.

Frame you lives according to the precepts of the Gospel. Let your deal, walk, and conversation be that upon which an angel can look with pleasure. And in all your social communications, or whatever your associations are, let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings---all the EVIL FRUIT OF THE MIND, fall from the tree in SILENCE and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbours. But when you have JOY and HAPPINESS, LIGHT and INTELLIGENCE, TRUTH and VIRTUE, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbors, and it will do them good, and so strengthen the hands of your FELLOW BEINGS...

(Journal of Discourses Volume 7:268-269)

I love this message becuz I'm soooo GUILTY of IT.... even with the best intentions,..I don't realize what comes out of my mouth in this sense sometimes...I love it when the LIGHT pops on in my head and I can be more AWARE of MY CONTRIBUTIONS to the world around me.
I guess I always thought if I keep my miserable and unhappy feelings to myself,..I'm only going to explode and uhhh it won't be nice... so mine as well let it out when you feel like it huh?...

Ya...I guess that makes me feel good for the MOMENT... but I truly believe there are lasting negative effects when you bomb out like that....so I'm gonna stick with the prophets words and do my best. I also know there are certain situations where you must let someone know what your feeling inside...when your unhappy and whatnot,.. thats when we take the next step and do our best to say it with wisdom and carefully choose are words....

Anyhowwwzzzz

To end off....Here was our GOAL for tonites rehearsal....

TO REALIZE WHO WE ARE....BEFORE WE REMEMBER!!

chocolate milk and green olives....

2008-09-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

So I've self calculated that I'm almost 3 months. I've been feeling the typical pregnancy symptoms..and I feel really bad for my kids...cuz my patience/tolerance level is at a ZERO!..and its NORMALLY over 100%...my Pete is gone for a 2 day...ALL day golf tournament....I'm really beginning to despise that sport,..actually I've been despising that sport this whole darn summer... some people don't know what the word BALANCE means.....anyway..
its all ME I guess...pregnancies can really mess you up in the head...heehee...
I noticed today I've lost some weight...which is good...but I hate feeling hungry and not liking anything thats available.
I'm always wanting the extreme of something salty like olives....and something really sweet like some ice cold chocolate milk!

I'm reluctantly leaving my job..and will put in my 2 week notice today ;(
I just don't have the energy to go to work and then come home and help the kids with homework and chores etc. etc.

Every day my home looks worse and worse since I'm just too tired to get things done.
I love my kids for doing their best with their chores...but it just doesn't quite cut it.

Anyhow....just a blabbering about sweet nothings....til next time...

too cute...

2008-08-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

had to steal this from Mike....

......more pics.

2008-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

Natalia, Moana, and the baby of our family Tiare!
Me and My George!
My little bro.Donny,my bro-inlaw Jr, and Pete!
Group photo while my sister Moana visited from Hawaii and an old friend Carol from Minnesota!
3 of 9 of my sisters...Tiare, Natalia, and Etivise and little Kingston up front (kats son)

Slash :( we miss you....

2008-08-25T21:18:00.001-07:00

Slash is our pet COCKATIEL! Butttt....he unfortunately flew out our front door when some of my kids had their friends over.....they forgot to shut the door.

I have to tell you... I was sooooo sad and angry when I found out about it. I trained the bird,..and was so proud of my accomplishment. He learned whistles that I taught it,..and he was so loving and cute...out of all the pets in the house..our dog Proverb,..and Tele's rat Swift..and some dwarf frogs...SLASH was my favorite and so easy to take care of.

I drove around our neighborhood for 2 days hoping to spot him.......
Here's some pics taken earlier that same day....:(

last weeks 1st day of school!

2008-08-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

Anzehla 2nd Grader!!
Natalia 1st Grade!!
Vaitele 4th Grade!!
Jj had to feel a part of it...so she got to pick a backpack to take to the babysitters!

bad fruit.....

2008-08-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

I just got back from another AMAZING choir rehearsal!!
And I was surprised towards the end when our director read this great quote from Brigham Young (which I will get a copy of the next time I see her) about OUR BAD FRUIT... how when things are not right in our lives... we feel we need to VENT... or share our OPINIONS and we share our bad fruit with others. Brigham Young says in a wonderful way how we should just let those fruits stay where they fall..... be SILENT... and ONLY let GOOD FRUIT come out of our mouths.

A TROUBLE SHARED IS A TROUBLE DOUBLED!! Isn't that SOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE!

In the preparation for about 300 and sumthing women for an experience that I know we will remember for the rest of our lives... I thought that this particular subject was an interesting one that was brought up and so perfectly shared.

We all live oh so different lives... but to have something like that for us to take home and ponder about til our next rehearsal... its like 'WOW'
the MUSIC and the SONGS and the INDIVIDUALS...SINGING those songs makes a difference in HOW it will be RECIEVED by those who will hear and listen.

-I've learned from this experience so far to ADD to a room instead of TAKE away.

-I've learned to let the bad fruit in my life fall silently where they may and not feel the need to share that bad fruit with the excuse of needing to VENT or share my OPINION...cuz in the end the trouble certainly DOES DOUBLE! I've seen how that is true in every sense of the word thru my own experience with such a big family as mine.

-I've learned to let what I feel in my HEART (whether I'm singing or not) show up in my FACE and EYES.

And most importantly since we've started this rehearsal....

-I've learned that MY SAVIOR FORGIVES ME FOR GOING INACTIVE THIS SUMMER... AND BECUZ OF HIS LOVE...HE's INTERVENED...AND KNEW THAT THIS EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP ME FEEL...AGAIN... THAT WONDERFUL,... FAMILIAR SPIRIT...I'VE MISSED SO MUCH OF LATELY. Its funny how far away you can feel in just a couple months............so in simple terms I've learned or have been reminded that the LORD still loves me and wants me back!

Ohhh George!!

2008-08-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'm gonna go to work and get a pic. with George!!
George is a special special old man I've really gotten to know.
I guess what drew me to him was the pictures on his wall that showed he
served a mission in Samoa.

As I started to ask him questions,. I found out he served in Tonga as well.
...15 years BEFORE Groberg did. He served in Tonga for 4 yrs. and became
district president in Nuku-alofa..where my dad is from.
He apparently knew alot of my family!!
After serving there,. he was called to Samoa with his wife.

I've gotten to know so much about his life,..his family...his farm...and his accomplishments...
Talking to him has really made me miss my grandparents...and I wish I would have
talked with THEM the way I do with George.

I'm amazed by him... and I ADORE him...I can't imagine taking a boat everywhere and having to learn on your own... the language of the islands....

As I was working...one of the nurses stopped me and asked if I could do a favor.

I guess George is not doing so well.. and declining each day. So with that...he's been hard to deal with and not being too nice to them....BUT...when she told me he asked about ME...and wanted to talk with ME... I was a little taken back. She asked if I could go in and make him feel better....

So I did!!! And had a wonderful conversation... we even got teary eyed and I wiped his tears from his face.... I just LOVE that man.....

KUDOS to GEORGE CRAWFORD

Its our Anniversary!!!

2008-08-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

13 YEARS to be exact!!

I can't believe we've come this far....especially as I look back to how we met,.we didn't even like each other....

And all the fights and getting to know each other stage....Whewwww...we made it thru!

But ya know...I truly lucked out. When you first meet someone and fall in love,..you never really know their 'REAL' selves til after you say I DO....

Its unfortunate for some who find out after that their spouse is a lazy butt...or has control or temper issues....etc..etc.

But for me.... Pete's turned out to be none of those things....quite the opposite. I would say after about 3 years of being married...I realized 'I' was the one with all the ISSUES!! HEHE

I can honestly say about the irkiest thing about Pete is that he loves GOLF just a little toooooooo much,..lacks in spontaneity,...and doesn't know how to enjoy the outdoors!...wierd huh..I know...you would think growing up in the islands..but noooo.

So those are little irks I can live with...well HAVE lived with... so I'm not gonna complain.

I don't really take pics with him that much...I'll try to look for some and post them.

feeling 'generated'!!

2008-08-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

I just came home from an amazing rehearsal.
I was asked to be a part of the next 'General Womens Conference' womens CHOIR!!!
Its made up of the Highland and Alpine area wards.
About 4-5 women from each ward were asked to participate...about 350 total women.
I am so greatful to be a part of it...and after going to rehearsal...I'm just so excited.
We were pronounced a blessing by the Stake pres. which I never experienced before,..
and I was humbled by just how everything was organized and the way it all was presented.
The focus was on the spirit,.. and the message and not so much the music.
The music directors name is Sister Web,..and she kept us laughing and made the whole experience so meaningful and fun!

I'm just at a loss for words to what I experienced tonite...and I can't wait til our next rehearsal!!

'Generate' was one of our key words tonite.....

its official...well almost..

2008-08-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

When I blogged about the pickles,..I didn't think it was becuz I was pregnant...
and the comments made me laugh...I was saying to myself..
'No way!!.. They're wayyy off...I'm just simply craving pickles...'
Heehee...
So here I am...I started feeling extremely tired and out of sorts last week and decided
to go buy a home test.

So its POSITIVE and I'm pretty sure its accurate!!
I'll go in to a doctor soon....ughh..I hate this part of being pregnant.
Hopefully everything will go smoothly. I miscarried twice last year,..and the first was
horribly painful. I dont wanna go thru that again.

But I'm so excited...I LOVE little babies...and after holding my sisters new baby..I was really feeling baby sick.... Its wierd cuz I'm sort of feeling sad that my 'having baby years' are almost over... I can't imagine being DONE...and into the next phase in life where you just see your kids grown..and THEM having children of their own....wierd....

I'm gonna really soak in this TIME of their lives..cuz it will never be the same again..time goes by just too fast.

Lets cross our fingers for a BOY!!

random pics

2008-08-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

Olimpia's first day in the 7th grade!!! I am so excited for her. The school is huge inside...we had a blast going thru it yesterday!

A group of young men showed up @ work to do the ladies nails...it was sooo cute...then afterwards one of them jumped on the piano and they all started singing them songs....

Natalia lost both front teeth now.... I can't believe I'll never see her with her baby teeth again...time flies...she's my little princess for sure!!

JJ wasn't too happy with me yesterday....she's been acting honory the past couple days....hmmm

feeling somber...

2008-08-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

alright..so I never thought I'd be affected by the people who live where I work.
Yesterday I entered work where a disturbing scene was taking place. During breakfast one of the residents choked on her food, fell unconcious and the nurses did all they could to resuscitate her til the paramedics came. She past away when she arrived @ the hospital. Her name is Larena Friant. She had beautiful red hair,.. and was a pretty straight forward and loving woman. She was I think 93. I had just helped her fix her closet door just the day before.

Then today I come into work and another beautiful soul had just barely passed in her bedroom. Leona Tillman. After family members left,..I went in and had a quiet moment by myself as I looked and touched her and thought a few thoughts about LIFE and DEATH. I was surprised that I wasn't scared. I lifted the sheet and felt her hands and feet,..touched her forhead...then looked at the pictures of her and her family...and thought she must have lived a wonderful life. She too was in her 90's. I was surprised her body wasn't as stiff or cold as I thought it would be.

I didn't get to really know Leona like I wished. She could hardly talk. But I guess it doesn't really matter whether you knew that someone or not. There's just a feeling of love and appreciation for any human being who leaves this earth,...it makes the thought that every child of God on this earth really is so special............. I am happy for the both of them who are now pain free and with their loved ones on the other side.

lifes surprises!

2008-08-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

i think its interesting what life throws at you sometimes. Just when you think 'everything' is 'nothing'...then something GREAT happens and you begin again to appreciate what and who is around you...and you start feeling confident about going on with life.
Then just when you think things are great and dandy....you find yourself in an 'un-intended situation..or maybe not even a situation,... maybe just a feeling...that icky feeling of wishing certain things never happened....whether your the cause of it or not...

I just had an amazing week with my sisters....well the older ones I grew up with. I have great respect for ALL of them... I'm just closer with the older ones...its the generation thingy.
Anyhow... we had fun hanging out. My sister Moana flew down from Hawaii...we spent a couple days practicing for our performance...and thats always so much fun as we joke and tell stories...despite all the ruckus from the kids... (there are 19 kids between us 5 sisters)..and yep they are all there running around...fighting..making wierd noises...laughing....ughhh..it really is a miracle that we can still put a show together with all that.

So the show went great... I loosened up a little more this time, after seeing what a stiff wad I was at our New years eve performance...and Ireally enjoyed myself.

We sang for some old folks @ the assisted living facility I work at the next day. I think we enjoyed it more than they did. These people are so special...you don't even know.

Oh...my sister Kat had her baby the day before the show....so we were back and forth visiting @ the hospital....practicing...trying to keep the kids in check....it was crazy....

Its good to have sisters you can trust and rely on.....forever!! We had a blast.
The batteries fo my camera went missing...and I've been super bummed,...didn't get any pics...
I'll have to wait and get copies to post from my other sisters.

I won't go into the sour part of the week.... I guess its good to just stay positive.

Natalia Jennifer

2008-07-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

Happy 6th Birthday!!
Its wierd that those 6 years have gone by so fast. Alot has happened since the day she was born.
We had just moved to Lehi not even 15 days and she was born,..and our life has changed so much since. We hadn't even met some of our closest friends that we have now. The birth of Natalia is sort of my 'mark' where I finally made the concious choice to become active again in church,..and I've learned and grown so much since I made that decision. I'm not even the same person in so many ways,..I've changed my views on people and the world around me since moving to Lehi...its really wierd...

Anyhow,..Natalia is beautiful and makes me smile alot. She is very affectionate and loving...and whats the word....'expressive'... I know I'll have to keep my eye on her...along with my other girls....it'll be hard keeping the boys away!

Happy Birthday Snow White!!

Loves to dance with her uncle Tony!

.........I couldn't find my usp wire for my camera to post recent pics of our fun @ Lagoon yesterday.
I took off with Natalia and went on the roller coaster...and some other 'big people' rides!
That girl loved every minute of it and wasn't scared ever. She went on the sky lift with Kelo,..and she was so cute how she helped her daddy to not be scared....

I need me some PICKLES!

2008-07-23T20:37:00.001-07:00

............and thats all folks!.....just some yummy dill pickles.

Busy Birthday Month!!

2008-07-20T00:45:00.000-07:00

Double Whammy Birthday!! To father and son... Mark and Teancum Atuaia

The only pic I could find of Mark. He's been a busy bee the past couple of years in Law school, so no recent pic. Mark use to play football for BYU, he's a fun person to hang with. Honest and sociable. He's married to my sister Liz and they have 5 awesome, well-behaved children..Anessa, Alema, Tai, Teancum and Abi!
(pic-Zion and Teancum)
Teancum is spitting image of Liz when she was little,..maybe a little cuter. He's lucky to share a birthday with his dad! He is just the cutest,..but let me tell ya...out of all my nieces and nephews...Teancum's got some power vocal chords!! He'll probably take after Liz in the singing area..... Happy B-day guys!

Happy Birthday!!

2008-07-19T10:54:00.001-07:00

Leroy Wolfgramm

(Leroy far right)

Roy is a VERY special person. Being the oldest in our family and the most talented. At a young age he taught himself how to play instruments by listening very closely to the radio.He is the one who TAUGHT EVERYONE ELSE in our family how to play. He can play just about every instrument.
I remember always being amazed at how he could learn a song so quickly by listening to it then copying it on the keyboards or guitar within an hour. He deserves everything in this world for all that he has sacrificed in this life for our parents and all his siblings.For being a self taught person...he's amazing. He even ended up teaching at a noteworthy music school in Gilbert Arizona...hired solely on talent and what he knew instead of a music degree which he did not have.
Besides being a musical genius,.......He is a very sarcastically humurous person, finding many things to make us laugh about....and last but not least....is extremely spiritual and has alot of great insights into the meaning of life and all that.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BROTHER!!!!

Happy Belated Birthday...

2008-07-18T21:48:00.001-07:00

July 1 Teali'i Tupou

Tea is my brother in law, married to my sister Maliana. They had their first child last year and she is too cute. Happy late birthday Tea!! Tea is a true entrepenuer and is always busy trying new things. "If at first you don't succeed, try try again" seems to be his motto from my point of view. He's been a wonderful person to get to know and we all hope they'll come back from Florida soon!

Rock on!

2008-07-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

I've always been a rock fan...more on the HARDER side...so its natural for me to be in love with the music of my younger siblings... If the Jets were rock... you can be sure I would have been IN it and STILL doing it...if my childhood was a little better...I probably would have continued to sing on stage and been a rock and roll princess...heeheee...I still get that itch to just go up and OWN that stage and lettin' it all out...hehahehaha. unfortunately Rock didn't get noticed til the younger ones came along...which I think I should take some credit for their taking to it....
So here is a recent photo of them..... check out in my fellow bloggers section... 'j' for more pics....
Um....I would have to say....musically they are AMAZING... I love all of it... they have all the talent in the world when it comes to putting it all together...and coming up with tight guitar solos... Vocal experience is still yet to be accomplished but its THERE....you just gotta hear them LIVE to get the chills down your spine... In a nut shell....there's Donny 23 drums, Mika 24 guitar,Kelela 18 bass, and Tiare 16 lead guitar.

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

2008-06-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

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!!!

No more slacking...

2008-06-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

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...

help!!

2008-06-28T00:36:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-06-28T00:25:00.000-07:00

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!!

2008-06-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

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.

falling rock...

2008-06-21T23:05:00.001-07:00

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

Jet memories....

2008-06-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-06-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

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...

in the mood...

2008-06-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-16T12:59:00.001-07:00

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!!

kara henderson!!

2008-06-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

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!

old pic..

2008-06-08T13:11:00.001-07:00

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!!

working mom..

2008-06-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

....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!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TELE!!

2008-06-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

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...

thinking Choir...

2008-06-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

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!!!

JUNE....

2008-05-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

alright..so alot of people around me..especially my kids and husband have heard my constant complains about my weight..so I figure..if I blog about it..maybe I'll get my butt up and really start doing something. I won't go into details but I'm gettin' serious...June is coming up...and I don't like starting things on off days..it either has to be a Monday...or the first day of a month..I don't know..its just me...I've got alot of sacrifices to do...if you read this...tell me something that'll keep me going...k...

6th grade graduation!

2008-05-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

I really feel like it was just yesterday when the thought of Olimpia leaving elementary was like wayyy out in the future....now its here,.and tomorrow is her graduation ceremony. I promised I would straighten and curl her hair for the occasion....she's so bubbly and cute. Yesterday we played some cards and I was about to put in a cartoon for my little Jj...then Olimpia gasped,"watching this is like pure agony!" Pure Agony....Im not really used to that kind of vocabulary out of limps (her nickname),..we all cracked up for awhile.....
I guess with the realization of my girls all grown up..soon to be teens...I'm really soaking in,..just everything.. with ALL the kids..all the stages...all the little things,.. soon to be distant memories...It really is sad to think I will never see whatever cute thing or even not so cute thing they do this very day...ever again...
PIC:(Courtesy Jaylynn Wolfgramm) Olimpia and Letitia @ graduation party!!

Nadira...

2008-05-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

I was just randomly thinking of her today...the most cliche saying 'time flies' is really an understatement...It has whirled by..and here she is just beautiful and in every way just what I pictured her. Today or actually yesterday she decided to let her hair down...(she's pretty tomboyish and always has her hair up in a pony tail)..but today she let her hair down...even spent 'time' in the bathroom fixing it...she hesitantly came out...and there was my beautiful girl,.with her hair all made up...more great than that was the fact that she left it down the WHOLE day!!
She's always been a beauty to ME...but it was my 'mother joy' moment to see that SHE finally see's it. She's almost 12, smart, sensitive, and extremely sarcastic. I'll post pics of her when she lets me...hehe

Memorial Day....Grandma

2008-05-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

Dont be fooled by this 'little' woman(about 4 11')...we use to call her our little 'troll' cuz by the end of the day she'd have some major hair fly aways and looked just like one,...like my grandpa,..she is the most AMAZING woman I probably will EVER know. Mother of 18 children,...and not ONE stretch mark on her belly...she was sweet,..but one tough, devoted mother and grandma. Her daily routine for many many years consisted of waking up early in the morning,.read her scriptures,.off to the temple..back home for a snack..read again her scriptures,..back to the temple,... home for another snack...and again off to the temple...and back home for dinner....she went 3 to 4 times a day,..everyday...unless she was with one of her grandchildren (she has over 100) or with one of her great-grandchildren (she has over 200)....my dream is to be like her!
SALOTE(Charlotte) WOLFGRAMM 1915-2007 (Buried the same day as Gordon B. Hinckley)

Grandpa

2008-05-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

Now this is thee most AMAZING man I EVER have known...just thinking of him alot lately and appropriate for memorial day! He served missions thru out his life in the most trying ways..,had the gift of miracles...his faith was tremendous, his love for everyone,.unconditional..., everytime I visited, he would say 'Are you happy?'.. and look me in the eye, squeeze my hand and just smile..he told me how to be happy thru his smile and embrace..and with every visit a different lecture so to say,.just thru his smile....I have totally felt the loss of this most inspirational, awe inspiring soul who has ever lived....one of the unknown heroes of our day! I see him in my dreams often:)
IOHANI OTTO WOLFGRAMM R.I.P. 1911-1997

2008-05-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Nesia Found Her Voice

My sister Mali's baby girl Nesia
We miss you! (living in FL)

tough times

2008-05-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

Well..we all know its tough times nowdays..and I sure am feeling the pinch...much more the squeeze. So I decided I'm gonna need to work,..and real soon,..I didn't graduate from Highschool...I didn't really drop out...I just had to help out the family and was pulled out of school in the 11th grade,to do the family music thing...Ive held some odd jobs here and there since then...I don't have alot of experience,.and I'm not really a people person....so I'm a little worried....and since its summer,.I can't work days,..need to be with the kids..so i'm looking at graveyards.....soooo...wish me good luck! I'm off looking after this holiday weekend.
I'll post new pics as soon as I get myself a new laptop..can't load any new pics onto my husbands work laptop.....ciao

sweet n sour

2008-05-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

Its an interesting weekend...another of my siblings is going thru the temple...getting sealed to be exact with her husband and 2 handsome boys! This picture sums up how I feel about not being able to go inside....AGAIN. And I always have mixed emotions when some family members come
especially when I'm not in the mood to play like everything is cool........
I think I woke up on the WRONG side of the bed today...and with the change of weather,..getting really warm...I brought out some of my summer clothes from last year,..and uhhhh....yep...they didn't fit.....I'm just the BIGGEST I've ever been...and its definitely had an impact in my 'little world 'today...I just can't focus on anything. But for those who know me,..I'm an eternal OPTIMIST...so I'm gonna sulk in my misery, and feel depressed TODAY....and tomorrow will be a NEW day and I should be good by Sunday!

My brother Mika..

2008-05-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Well, my precious brother Mika and his wife Jaylynn got endowed today...although I wasn't able to go in,.I soaked in the time without any kids...just all by my lonesome,..walked around Temple square,..it was wierd being alone...but I enjoyed it! I was hoping to get inspired and get into deep thought,..but none of that happened...I just walked around like a zombie,..I brought along some good church books..ensign..and some variety puzzles,.hoping to dig into it while I waited..but that turned into just an annoying extra bag to carry along. I didn't think of my kids or ANYthing really....is there something wrong with me?..dang...anyway...the magic happened when my brother came out..along with other family members...to hear him say his 'experience only confirmed his testimony'...tugged my heart strings...and made me feel like I need to get my butt worthy to go...I'm missin' out! Anyway..my brother is the world to me...I watched him alot when he was a baby. His twin sister always got the attention cuz she was sooo cute and chubby..and Mika was handed over to me all the time so they could hold HER...not that he wasn't cute...just not as cute as Mali...while growing up I just always understood him and vice versa ,we've always had that connection.. Anyway to see him come this far...and hear him talk about his experience...it was great...he even called me later and wouldn't stop talking about it!
His wife Jaylynn is also an amazing soul! We think alot alike...she's the one who shot the photo's of me in this blog...I don't like taking pictures...and I don't have alot of myself...but I agreed to be her guinea pig now that she is dabbling into doing photography professionally...she wanted some mystical or darker themed shots..so I was like...dark?..mystical?..I can do that....dark n mystical means I don't have to look perfect, I can look depressed and messed up...I'm good at that...oh and thanks for photo programs, she can take 10 pounds off me...I'll pose anytime!

starting slow...

2008-05-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

welll,..I think i got music happy when putting together my playlist....heehee. Anyway, will be posting pics of my beeeeeutiful kids soon....but I'll have to tell you,..everyone around me it seems is into photography...or taking pictures of their kids. I think since my parents NEVER took pics of me as a child..(I only have 1 baby pic of myself,..I think I'm 6mths)....I have become slack in that area as well. And I see their precious faces everyday,..and I never think to pick up my camera.....hopefully this blog will help me change my ways...

ummm...

2008-05-11T00:58:00.000-07:00

Alright,....here I am,..and trying to figure this out on my hubby's work laptop,.hoping he doesn't get in trouble....my laptop completely burnt out and I just haven't had the money to buy a new one! Anyway,... after seeing some of my friends blogs...decided to start my own....still trying to figure how this all works...