JJ: What is Your Favorite TV Show and Why

I will be the first to admit that I watch too much TV. But there is also a favorite for me. And while I know I'm a bit of a geek, it's definitely The Vampire Diaries.

So what is the Vampire Diaries about? THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the story of two vampire brothers, obsessed with the same girl, in a small town where supernatural beings live in secret amongst its residents. In season one, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder), returned to their hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia, for very different reasons. Stefan was determined to get to know Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), who bears a striking resemblance to Katherine Pierce (also played by Dobrev), the beautiful but ruthless vampire the brothers knew and loved — in 1864.

It is AWESOME!! My favorite part? Damon Salvatore. I'm a bit obsessed. Tim often makes fun of me for it. Damon Salvatore is my person that I'm allowed to cheat on Tim with if the situation ever presents itself. Which it never will since Damon Salvatore is a character in the show and not an actual person. Because while I'm in love with Damon, the actor who plays him (Ian Somerholder) is just eh for me.

If you haven't watched this show yet then you need to. Now. No, seriously. Go find it on Netflix or Amazon or your local video store. You will love it. 

JJ: What is your favorite scripture and why?

My favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Something about this scripture has always spoken to me. My brother, Aaron told me to look it up when I was pregnant in high school and struggling with my decision. And I feel like it applies to so many things. If I am every struggling with anything I can look up this scripture and feel a sense of calm.

JJ: What is the worst trouble you've ever gotten into?

I am not a trouble maker. I HATE confrontation and will usually avoid it all costs. That means I don't usually do things that would get me in trouble. Because I get some serious anxiety about the consequences. With that being I said, I used to be stupid. That's right, I USED to be. I know a few of you are reading this and laughing. I know you have tons of stuff to say about that sentence, but it's the truth. I am no longer stupid.

So in that age of stupidity a couple of friends and I decided to visit the local grocery store and make a mess. We knocked stuff off the shelves, opened a few cereal boxes, dumped out some spices, and left. And then one of my friends and I decided to go back the next day and do the same thing all over again. What can I say? We were idiots. So the second day we went back we got caught. And even though we hadn't actually stolen anything, we had destroyed property. And that counted as shoplifting. I remember being caught by store security and having to go to some little room while they called our parents and the cops. I was bawling my eyes out and was insanely embarrassed. Thankfully we didn't get charged with anything. We had to do community service instead. We were only in 5th or 6th grade so I guess they decided to take it easy on the dumb girls.

But it scarred me for life. Maybe because my mother can say more with one look than some mom's can say with a million words. Or maybe because it was a confrontation from my nightmares. Or maybe it was being banned from said grocery store for life. But no matter the reason, it was enough for me to never repeat it. Although I did go back to that store and, if I'm honest, I had a mini anxiety attack when I walked through the doors. Because I was sure that they had my picture plastered on the walls (even after 6+ years) with a big fat X on my face so everyone would know I should be escorted out.

And, that, is the worst trouble I've ever gotten into.

Did it snow where you lived as a child? What kinds of things did you do in it?

Boy did it snow! It still does, but it doesn't seem like it snows nearly as much as it used to.

We did all sorts of things in the snow, but the thing I remember most is the year Aaron, Ben, and I made a slide down our outside deck stairs. It took us a little while to pile up all the snow and bring it to the stairs. I remember working on it every night for a week or so. We then put water on it so it would freeze overnight and make the slide faster. It was so much fun! You could kind of climb up the outside slats of the stairs to get to the top, but mostly we had to go through the house so we could slide down again. All the neighborhood kids wanted to come and slide down our awesome slide! I'm sure my mom was sick of all the kids running through the house, but she was a good sport.

JJ: What lessons did you take as a child? Did any carry over into adulthood?

I vaguely remember taking dance lessons when I was in kindergarten. They didn't stick. I HATED them! Needless to say my mom decided it wasn't worth the money to fight me to go.

I also took viola lessons in 3rd or 4th grade. I remember that we rented my viola and it didn't make any noise at first. I'm sure it was because it was new. But I was so shy that I didn't say anything. I just pretended to play for a while. LOL. I ended up not really liking that either. Apparently I am a quitter! :)

JJ; What is the most wonderful thing that ever happend to you? The worst?

This is an easy question!! The most wonderful thing to happen to me is my kids. What could be better than that? They fill my days with consternation and joy. And I wouldn't have it any other way. They are always amazing me. I can be a horrible mom one minute and be yelling about something and two seconds later I get an "I love you" from Holden and Beckett. The unconditional love from and for my boys has changed me forever.

The worst thing is also an easy answer. I've posted about it before. Losing my son, Quentin was harder than anything I have ever gone through. It has also changed me forever. And although it took a while, I know it has changed me for the better.

JJ: Where Did You Live as a Child? Describe it.

I realized that I started a Journal Jar blog that I then stopped posting on. Since I now post them here I'm going to post all of the old questions on this blog. So sorry if you have read these before.

I grew up in good old Magna, Utah. I lived in the same house from 5 or 6 until I was 22 and married. We had the best neighborhood ever! There were a decent amount of kids my age that lived right by us so I always had someone to hang out with.
I remember the whole neighborhood getting together for the 4th of July and doing fireworks together. I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up. I still talk to a few of the guys my brother was friends with. They ended up becoming brothers to me also. And every once in a while we all get together for a barbecue or something. Washington Road gang forever!! (Yes, I know I'm a dork)

JJ: What is your favorite food? Why? What food will you never eat? Why?

My favorite food is easily lasagna. But not just any lasagna. Only my mom's recipe. I have become a bit of a lasagna snob; having been spoiled by my mom for so many years. It is beyond delicious! 

My second favorite is Tim's red enchilada's. That man can cook! And, really, it's a good thing or my kids would live on spaghetti, mac & cheese, and baked goods.

And anyone that knows me at all knows the food I will never eat. Mayo! It is dis.gust.ing! I really can't stand it. If it is on a sandwich or burger then I just can't eat it. And I don't like anything it's in either. Potato salad, ranch dressing, fry sauce, you get the picture. It is nasty, nasty stuff.

JJ: Who are you closest to in your immediate family? How did your relationship grow?

I am easily closest to my sister, Becky. It wasn't always this way, but I've always looked up to her. I remember being fairly young (tween?) and staying up late one night while she told me all about the birds and the bees. She has no recollection of this ever happening, but I assure you, it did.

Becky is also the first person (other than Jon) that I told that I was pregnant. She took me to Planned Parenthood to confirm it and told me she would support me in any decision I made. We then had a while where we just weren't as close. Honestly, I'm not even sure what happened to bring us back together. Maybe it was her watching Holden when I went back to work after he was born? No matter what it was, it happened. She is my rock and my best friend. I talk to her about everything and anything. She can make me laugh and she can make me cry. If I go more than two days without talking to her I feel like something is missing.

I'm so thankful that my sister is also my best friend.

JJ: What Kind of extra-curricular activites did you participate in in school?

 (I'm on the right holding my friend, Felicia upside down)

I tried my hand at the viola in elementary school, but it didn't stick.

However, in junior high I started doing a few things. I was the editor of our school newspaper, on the peer leadership team, and in advanced drama. I really enjoyed them all, but the school paper was easily my favorite. I remember one issue where we didn't have anywhere near enough articles. So my assistant and I wrote around 5 articles each using fake names for that issue. I totally still have the newspapers that I wrote an article for. They are in my memory box. Plus, I had a press pass. Which meant that I could get out of class all the time. And also get my friends out of class to "interview" them. That's right, I totally abused my power. Bwa ha ha!

Really, I was a good kid and got great grades the year I participated in so many things. But in high school boys and my social life took over. So I mostly stopped the extras. I did do concert choir my senior year and had lots of fun performing.

JJ: What are you frightened of? Why?

This question has a lot of layers. I am frightened of heights. Insanely frightened. I almost started bawling when my dumb date talked me into riding the Rocket at Lagoon years and years ago. And I'm scared of plenty of other superficial things.

But mostly I'm scared of something happening to my kids. I have been having some ridiculous panic attacks or anxiety (or whatever they actually are) at night. And every single time I'm gripped by irrational fear, it has to do with my kids. I always think someone is in my house and that they are after my children. I usually cannot go back to sleep until I visit each of their rooms and make sure they are tucked safely into bed.

I went through a horrible experience as a child and I worry so much about something similar happening to one of my boys. I just want them to be safe and healthy and happy. I know God won't give us more than we can handle, but I struggle with that sometimes when I look back at what I have been through. I lost my baby, Quentin, and I couldn't survive losing another one. It's a scary, scary thing to think about.

JJ: List at least three good qualities about yourself

I haven't done a Journal Jar in FOREVER! So I'm going to do a couple. If you don't remember, the question will be the title and I'll answer it in the post.

I am compassionate
I am funny
I am quick to forgive
I love others easily

JJ-Tell how, where, when you learned to drive. Any memorable experiences?

I've decided to combine my Journal Jar blog with my family blog. So now every time I'm doing a Journal Jar post it will start with JJ.

I have been going through things in my house recently and I found an old notebook of mine. At the very back were two entries from 2004. I guess I started doing my Journal Jar back then and completely forgot. So today, I'm going to type out the answer to the question in the title. This was written on Jan 1, 2004.

I learned how to drive in 10th grade drivers ed. Believe it or not, I knew nothing before this. I didn't even know which pedal was the gas and which was the brake. There wasn't anything really memorable except that I failed drivers ed. By the time I failed I had a boyfriend who drove me everywhere so I didn't care if I got my license. When we broke up I was pregnant so my Mom drove me everywhere. After that I had a new boyfriend who I was engaged to and he drove me everywhere. (are you seeing a theme?) Finally, when we broke up Becky forced me to re-take the driving test and I passed! By then I was 18.

I do have one story from before I got my license. I remember going to Smith's with my brother Aaron and his friend Ben. They were trying REALLY hard to get me to drive home from Smith's in Aaron's car. And I REALLY didn't want to. I was crying in the parking lot because I was so nervous. I ended up driving home and everything was fine. But I hated them pushing me. Stupid older brothers.

I still don't like to drive. Tim almost always drives when we are together. And if I'm going with someone else I would much rather they drive than me.

I told this story to Tim tonight and his response? "That explains a lot." Really? Really?