Welcom June!

The summer I graduated from high school was a hard summer for our family to face. Two weeks after I graduated, my older sister got married and moved to Colorado. Two months after that, I went to Utah State and the rest of my family moved to California. It was our first parting and it was sad and hard.
Little did we know it was just the beginning!! Since then there have been many more tearful goodbyes and times of separation...my parents going to be mission president in Costa Rica, brothers going on missions, more graduations and marriages. I know, I know, these really are happy things and that does soften the blow of change, but if you know my parents, you know that they wish we kids could live with them forever and they could spend their lives in our service!
Although my parents are veterans now at watching their family grow up, my mom still confided in me that she woke up on May 1st and didn't want to get out of bed. She knew that May was bringing more change, happy change, but change nonetheless.
First, my little brother Tim graduated from UVU with is BA and will be applying for PA school next year.
Soon after, this cute couple was sealed for time and all eternity. Luckily they moved into a basement apartment right across the street from my parentsLast week, the baby of the family, Jonny, graduated from high school. Thank goodness he still has a year before his mission.

The day after graduation, the baby girl of the family left for Africa! She is spending the month of June in Ghana working at an orphanage.

Experience really is key here, as I saw very few tears from my parents throughout the month! Still, we made it through May and welcome a little more stability in June!

If April showers bring May flowers, What do May flowers bring?

PILGRIMS!!!

I was weeding my garden two days ago and it started to rain. I repeated to myself my survival phrase from April "April showers bring May flowers" then I remembered that it is May and I thought "What do May showers bring?" Then I remembered this joke and laughed and laughed all by myself in my weed infested garden.

One thing you should know about me is that I love what my family calls "laffy taffy" jokes. You know, those stupid, predicable jokes that all the first graders tell once they are bored of knock knock jokes.



Here are some of my favorite. They make me laugh so hard...

Why do bees have sticky hair?

Because they use honeycombs


What did the baby light bulb say to the mommy light bulb?

I love you watts and watts


What did the horse say when he fell down?

HELP! I've fallen and I can't giddy up


Where does Hitler keep his armies?

In his sleevies


What sound do porcupines make when they kiss?

OUCH!!


Why did the squirrel cross the road?

To prove he had the guts


What do little people drive?

Mini vans


What do you call a cow with no legs?

Ground beef

And my very favorite of all time...

Why do Seagulls fly by the sea?

Because if they flew by the bay they'd be BAGELS!!!
(BA-DUM- CHING)

Do you have tears rolling down your cheeks too? I beg of you to share you favorite laffy taffy jokes with me!!

It's Official!

Todd Claybaugh (my little brother) and Alexis Watson went through with it!!

They actually had their reception the night before so they could leave straight from the wedding to the honeymoon. Smart pair!
How cute was Adeline?

We love Gram!

The happy couple...just not married yet!

What do you do when you are waiting outside the temple for the bride and groom to come out?

Take pictures of all the girls in every combo possible!

Still waiting...

...And waiting

Bailey is so thrilled to see them (and the pretty flowers)

Finally!! We're so happy we have Alexis in our family. They are a PERFECT couple.

How to Organize Girls Bows

Staple gun ribbon to the back of the cabinet under your bathrrom sink
Make sure it's under your husband's sink!

Lemons into Lemonade

Jonas Family Vacation Part 3: Grandma's house.

I always revert back to childhood when I go to my grandma's house.

I took a nap on the beach

Then we had a family party at the pool

On the way home I grabbed some chocolate malted crunch ice cream to eat with grandma's chocolate "dip" and without guilt.

After that exhausting day, I had to take a bath in gram's big jetted tub.

I was thrilled to be able to spend Mother's Day with my grandparents and attend church with them

And you better believe my So. Cal. family knows how to celebrate mothers! My Aunt Eileen threw a great party and I love to be with my family.
Monday we drove all the way home!

Tuesday morning I found Addie curled in a little ball on the ground. I said "What's wrong?"

She glared at me and said "SHHH. I'm telling Heavenly Father thank you for the fun trip and for getting my family home safe." Then she buried her head back in the ground and continued her highly appropriate prayer.

Say "Uncle"

Jonas Family Vacation Part 2: Uncle Bob's house

It's always major party time when we visit John's Uncle Bob and his wife Dawn in Rolling Hills. They are the warmest and funnest people. Their home is full of animals!
Bailey cuddled up with the poodle Brillo

All three got to ride the horses
Actually, Bailey just sat.

Austin and Adeline were more brave

Addie rode all by herself

To see a video of her falling off the horse, go here

It's not a great video and looks scarier than it really was.

Dawn had to ride home with her

Check out the battle wound on her forehead

We also swam in their pool and took their convertible to the beach. HELLOO!! What a great time!

I'm a Lucky Mom Because...

...My kids love me so much, they climb all over me in church.


I'm a lucky mom because when I wipe a dirty face, I get to see a bright smile.


I'm a lucky mom because my kids make up all kinds of excuses to stay up late with me.


I'm a lucky mom because I'm the only one in all the world that gets quiet moments in the middle of the night with my baby.

I'm a lucky mom because when I get puked on, I know it's because I'm the only one who can offer comfort.


I'm a lucky mom because my kids want to eat food prepared by me ever hour or so (I didn't say they always like it).


I'm a lucky mom because all the laundry I do is from perfectly healthy children playing the day away.


I'm a lucky mom because my children love for me to sing to them even though I have a horrible voice.


I'm a lucky mom because going to sporting events means bringing your own lawn chair and yelling things like "KICK AND RUN" and "GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A TURN."


I'm a lucky mom because pee on the toilet seat means we've got potty trained kids in the house.


I'm a lucky mom because my kids think I'm good at bouncing them on the tramp.


I'm a lucky mom because I never have to go to the grocery store alone.


I'm a lucky mom because Spray and Wash is my friend.


I'm a lucky mom because taking a shower in privacy is a treat.


I'm a lucky because I get to comb rats out of little girls hair each morning. This means I have girls with hair!!


I'm a lucky mom because I am the first person my kids want to see when they wake up in the morning.


I'm a lucky mom because my kisses make all ouchies better.

I'm a lucky mom because a wet bathroom floor means clean kids.

I'm a lucky mom because if I were doing anything else in life I would be thinking "I wish I were a mom."

I'm a lucky mom because my kids have a dad who is totally dedicated to them and to me.

I'm a lucky mom because I am surrounded by many amazing moms to teach me how to be better.

A few weeks ago I sat in church, in utter frustration, because Bailey and Adeline both wanted to be on my lap and Austin wanted me to read to him. I was trying to listen and keep them quiet and failing at both. Tears burned my eyes as I thought "Can I do this?"
Somehow, in that moment of torment, my mind flipped and I thought "I'm a lucky mom because my kids love me so much, they climb all over me in church." What if they didn't want to sit by me? Now that's reason to cry! My body absorbed the tears. I smiled and pulled all my kids closer to me. Now everyday chores make me feel lucky!! And that's how I birthed this post.