Day 29

In this past month, what have you learned.

How to use/trust a rice cooker. Wayne got me one for Christmas and I just used it to make brown rice and quinoa this week. I was getting nervous after an hour it looked like it hadn't done a thing, and then magically it was done. I would have to say it was my first success ever at brown rice.

That Graham crackers are pretty tasty. Growing up my mom always had our year supply of graham crackers and when ever I said I was hungry she told me to have them and milk. Of course I didn't want them, they sounded disgusting. The other day I tried one and realized that they aren't too bad, and I've been snacking on them ever since.

That pretty much sums up my January learning, I better try to learn a few more things in February ;)

Day 28

A picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed.

I have searched high and low for a picture of me from this time last year and I'm pretty sure I didn't have any from October '09 to April '10. So I went with the April one, post-marathon training. Not too much has changed since it, my hair is a little longer (even though in the picture below it looks shorter, its just tucked under my jacket) and I'm getting better at trimming my own bangs, so I wear them down more. Another thing that has changed I guess is that I run less now and do pump 3x a week, so I'm it little stronger in that area. Probably lost the rest of my baby weight since then too, something I thought was NEVER going to happen.

Little miss Kaelyn wanted me to mention that she was wearing oxygen 24-7 last year and now she only needs it at night. She also had heart surgery so her little heart is repaired, and her pony tail is much longer.

This picture was taken in November, so like I said I don't take many pictures of myself, especially that I like.

Day 27

Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Cause I just can't ever think of anything to blog about, so this has made it kind of fun. A way to do some journaling, which I'm not very good at.

Day 26

What do you think about your friends.

I think my friends are the BOMB! I've alway's valued my friends, and that includes many people. I love making new friends, and one of the greatest compliments anyone can give me is to call me "friend". I think about my teenage/college friends often and try to get together with them when ever we possible, but its still not enough. I love sitting and talking and could do it for hours on end, just reminiscing or learning more about people and their lives. I would much rather do that than go "out" and do something where we couldn't visit. If you're reading this there is a very good chance that you are my friend, cause I don't know why anyone else would come here :) So to you I say, thanks for being my friend, and making me the person I am today. You are awesome, and I'm so glad to know ya!

Day 25

What I would find in your bag.

Well since I've pretty much retired my purse and just throw my wallet in Kaelyn's diaper bag when I leave the house, that's the "bag" I'm referring to. In it you will find;

-wallet

-i pod touch

-fingernail clippers

-thermometer

-diapers/wipes

-lotion

-bum cream

-hard candies

-formula powder

-a few toys

-mini scissors

-wrappers/receipts

-gum

-lip gloss/chapstick

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Day 24

Your last five facebook status'

This one is actually pretty hard for me. I am not so good at the face book thing. In fact I spent like 30 minutes the other day trying to figure out how to see status' I've written, to no avail. That was after I figured out what a "status'" even was. Yea so I'm pretty sure I've only typed a "status" once, and it was about how I love being a mom to the cutest little girl ever. So other than sending people a message once in a while, I don't really get the point of face book. Anyone want to explain it to me in their own words :)

Day 23

Something you crave for a lot

Therefore I try not to keep it in the house ;)

Day 22

What makes you different from everyone else.

I can't think of one particular thing that makes me different from everyone else, I guess it's the combination of things I do/enjoy that make me different. So here are some of those things;

I enjoy playing sports-my fav's include volleyball, basketball, tennis & softball. Just started church basketball tonight, and it was a blast. I like basketball so much more now that I don't have to worry about messing up and ticking off my coach. I also like to run, mostly to get/stay in shape, but also cause its a great stress reliever. In the past few years I've started doing a few races and that added a whole new dimension to running. It's so fun to be running with tons of strangers and friends at the same time. I can sew a thing or two, my Grandma Ruth made sure all her granddaughters knew how, and for that I'm thankful. I don't do it much, but I did by my own machine so I can scratch that itch when I get it. I work from home and really like the freedom that gives me as far as work. I like to be able to plan my day and then fit in work around it, rather than the other way around. I love that I can stay home with Kaelyn and take care of her, it is my dream come true. I'm the young women's sports coach and I got to say its my favorite calling yet. The girls are so fun! I've also coached high school volleyball for the past 4 years, and that was so great. There's nothing better than running into your past players and being able to chat it up...I didn't really ever have that with my coaches, so I'm glad I can do it now. It is really important to me to be a positive influence in their lives, and remember that volleyball really is just a sport, and it's for fun.

I love visiting teaching, it helps me break out of my shy shale and make friends. I need to feel like I belong, and I feel that so much lately. I'm one of the biggest eaves droppers you'll ever meet. Wayne is right there with me though. Sometimes we'll go out to eat and just listen to other peoples conversations, and then talk about what they said, incase either of us missed something. I'm a pretty sensitive person, though I try hard not to show it. But if you cry in front of me, I'll be joining in. I spend a good portion of my day fighting back tears, especially reading blogs. I once cried at a commercial, don't even remember what it was for, but that sentimental music got me. Then I started laughing because I was crying. Wayne has even caught me crying at stuff on the Disney channel. He is learning what things will make me tear up, and then look at me just to check. Then I start laughing cause I know its kind of funny, but the tears just come, it's almost like a jerk reaction. Well its late and I can't really think any more, so I'll stop there.

Day 21

A picture of something that makes you happy.

Daddy-Daughter play time

and volleyball.

Day 20

Someone you love.

Love this pic, do you see how many balls we had to hit?

I laughed pretty hard when I saw the size of that thing. Luckily we didn't waste one of them.

This guy...I love him. Wayne is my best friend, in every sense of the word. Ever since the first day we hung out, we just "got" each other. We have so much in common, in many ways it's like we are the same person, but different :). There are days he will come home and say something like, "What do you think about getting pizza from Mountain Mike's for dinner tonight?" and I seriously was thinking the same thing all day. We read each other's minds ALL. THE. TIME. It used to be a little creepy, but now we just expect it to happen. He is my biggest fan, and supports me in everything I do. Even when I don't support myself, he is there cheering me on. Whether its coming to games when I'm playing or coaching, or driving around to spectate while I'm running a marathon, he's there.

He is good at literally EVERYTHING he tries. From sports, to being a dad/uncle/friend, to work, video games, he just puts his best effort into everything he tries. He loves to be active and I love that about him. He wake boards, water skis, snow boards, snow skis, skate boards, mountain bikes, plays volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, softball, racquet ball, ping pong, guitar, technology genious...pretty much everything. And he not only plays it, but he plays it well! Plus, he's patient enough to teach me how to do some of it. (Golf, wake/snow board, guitar) My nieces and nephews LOVE him. Whenever they see me the first thing they ask is "Where's Wayne?"

One of my favorite things about him is what a great dad he is. Kaelyn knows when its time for dad to be home from work and when he walks in the door its time to have fun. He gets her giggling everyday. I think I've gotten her to laugh twice! They have such a cute bond, I just love to sit and watch them together. I will never forget something he said after we found out about Kaelyn's condition before she was born. He decided early on that "He was not going to consider His daughter as a trial in life". And he hasn't, not for one day. He saw that she was a blessing before she was even born. He stayed every night in the hospital with me after we had her and slept on the tiny little chair/cot thing. Kaelyn and I are the luckiest girls in the world, Heavenly Father really knew what he was doing when he put us all together. So yea, I love him.

Oh yea, he can run up a wall/tree/rock and do a back flip.

Kaelyn and her dad, he was such a rock while she was in the NICU. I could not have done it without him.

Wake boarding

Water skiing

Our engagement picture, crazy to think how much fun you can have in 5 and a half years. Can't wait to find out what the next 60 years will have in store for us :)

Day 19

Nicknames you have and why you have them

Don't really have too many nicknames that I go by regularly. The most current is what my nephews call me, "Oh Dean". Thats because their dad says it. They think they are so funny when they say it. Other than that is just, "Gee", Jean Bean, Nee Nee (What my nephew used to call me when he was just learning to talk). In high school I gave myself the nickname, "Rassattack" My maiden name is Rasmussen. Don't worry, I've since learned that you don't give yourself a nickname, just doesn't work like that :)

Day 18

Plans/dreams/goals you have.

A couple years after Wayne and I were married, one of the institute classes we took together was titled, "Living a Productive Life", or something like that. One of our assignments was to come up with 150 life goals. Well I never quite made it to 150, that is A LOT of things to think of. So far I'm at 65...I add to it once in a while when I think of something else. So I'll just put down a few of those things....and let you know which ones I've accomplished this far.

-Read 100 books - I'm at 27...that is a pretty big deal for me, never quite been an avid reader. It comes and goes.

-Run a marathon - Done x3

-Coach a state championship volleyball team - This one will have to go to the back burner for a while, but thats cool.

-Grow a garden

-Buy a house - DONE...well slowly any how. I think its funny when people ask if we own or rent. I saw own, and then in my mind think...we have probably paid for the front steps at this point. Getting closer to owning the front door :)

-Take singing lessons

-Whiten my teeth professionally - Finally going to start that tomorrow. That was my motivation for going to the dentist for the first time in a year and a half. I picked my dentist because they offered free teeth whitening...$2,000 worth of dental work and 6 appointments later, I'm going to get me free whiting dang it!!

-Have and raise children - In progress, and loving every minute of it!

-Write in a journal once a month - does blogging count? I think so.

-Read/listen to general conference talks again after conference -Do pretty good, but I slack off after I'm half way through. Good reminder for me.

-Be a supportive wife with Wayne's interests/goals - In progress, I'm not as good as he is...but trying.

-Create something crafty - I would say making Kaelyns crib bedding goes here...and I'm currently making fleece blankets for the seniors on Cottonwood's volleyball team this year...I'll post those when I get done.

-Get a Master's Degree in Nutrition - Someday

-Get good at Toe Side/Carving snowboarding - Figured it out pretty good a couple years ago, made it much less painful. Before when I was stuck on my heels it felt like my quads where shredding into a million pieces. But, haven't been for a couple years so pretty sure I've lost it.

-Stay in touch with friends - I try, friends are way important to me.

-Race in the Boston Marathon - probably in the charity category. Raising $1,000 seems much easier than meeting the qualifying time...I would need to cut off almost an hour of my current times...charities are good.

-Run a low cost volleyball program - Did it a couple years ago, may do that again some day. And by low cost I mean $600 a girl! Yea, volleyball is WAY too expensive to play, club that is.

-Run every marathon in Utah - 3 down, like 10 to go...yikes

-Never sunburn my nose again - Been successful so far, it is just to painful.

-Paint a room in my house.

-Go to Washington D.C. with Wayne to see aunt Joyce - Done! Took my best friend and her husband too, so fun.

-Play in at least one outdoor volleyball tournament a year - Done, in progress for life :)

-Hike Timp

-Write a book

-Quilt, with stitches, a baby quilt.

-Keep track of spending plan for one year - Done, now I need to keep my spending within that spending plan.

-Go to lake powell - Done, twice...and one day we'll go every year! When we're rich with a house boat :) I can dream

-Hike the Grand Canyon

Okay this is getting long, I'll stop there.

Day 17

Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why.

This is kind of random, I just thought of it. I've been trying to think of someone I would want to change lives with and I don't really want to. I used to always want to change lives with people in high school, but my life is PERFECT for me...so don't really want to trade it, even for a day. But...I think it would be kind of cool to have one of those experiences where you pass away for a few minutes and get a glimpse of what life is like on the other side. I wouldn't want to be gone long, just long enough to know whats going on over there. I always wonder about that...is that weird?

Day 16

Another picture of yourself

Me as a baby

Day 15

Put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

I have an Ipod nano the I mainly use for running/exercising an then an Ipod touch that I use for the apps and music when I'm driving. They have different stuff on them, so I'll post for both of them.

Ipod Nano - 3rd generation.

Its my favorite color, her name is aquamarine! How cool is that? The minute I saw it, I knew I had to have it. She changed working out for me forever, I don't even know what I did before she came into my life. (As far as exercise goes)

1 - Falling Slowly - Kris Allen

-He was Wayne and my favorite for American Idol a couple years ago, we were so glad he won!

2 - Blind Sight - Ryan Cabrera

-Not really sure what song this is, but I forgot about him.

3 - Can't Let it Go - Goo Goo Dolls

-GGD's are my all-time favorite band, they take me back to high school and remind me of a younger version of myself.

4 - You're a God - Verticle Horizon

-Wow this song takes me back too.

5 - Ride of Your Life - John Greggory

- I LOVE this song, and had totally forgotten about it. It was on one of the few CDs I purchased as a teenager, The soundtrack to "What a Girl Wants". I'm pretty sure you haven't heard it, but you should listen to it. Its definitely on the top ten all time favorite songs of mine. I use to listen to it and swing in the dark under the bright stary Neola sky.

6 - Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield

-Good tune.

7 - Hey Girl - Dashboard Confessional

-My roommate Chelsea (man she keeps coming up, she should come see me!!) got me hooked on these guys in college. They also take me back to Snow College, which I love.

8 - Flying without Wings - Westlife

-These guys are definitely ones of my guilty pleasures :)

9 - Gone - Kelly Clarkson

-You already know how I feel about Kelly.

10- Friday I'm in Love - The Cure

-'nother good tune.

Ipod Touch - Use mostly as my day planner as of late.

1. Trying to be like Jesus - Jerrytwon (RM Soundtrack)

-Love the RM soundtrack, totally hip-i-fied some of my favorite church tunes.

2. I Know - Emerson Hart

-Got from Wayne. Pretty good tune.

3. Dirty Little Sectret - All American Rejects

-My least favorite song of their's, but still not too bad.

4. Flyin' - Emerson Hart

-Nice job with the Shuffle Ipod.

5. Not Too Far From Here

-A nice church song, not sure who sings it, think I got it from one of Jamie's church mixes.

6. Show Off that Body You Got - Petey Pablo

-My ALL TIME favorite song to listen to when exercising at the gym...Kind of cheesy, but it got me through many runs on the treadmill.

7. You - Chris Brown

-Nothing special, if my Ipod was plugging into my computer I would delete it right now.

8. Down - Safetysuit

-Great band, good song.

9. I know my father loves me

-another church song, like half the songs on here are church songs.

10. Brothers

-a nice church song about Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

Well there you have it. Night.

Day 14

A picture of you and your family

These are family pictures from both Wayne and my families this summer.

My family. I am the third child, only girl.

(Half of the peeps in this picture are living in our house right now. Needless to say its a PARTAY up in here! :))

My little family

Wayne's family, he is the fifth child of eight. He has 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

Our little family, again.

(The shirt Kaelyn is wearing used to be mine)

Little Shmissy! Looking cute as ever :)

Day 13

A letter to someone

Dear (mother who just found out the baby she is carrying/or delivered has Down syndrome),

You don't know me, but just under two years ago, I was where you are. After finding out that our first child was going to be a little girl, we were also informed that there were complications with her heart and size. After a few tests we also found out that she had Down syndrome. Like you, I was so scared, I just kept praying and hoping that it wasn't true, that she would be "okay". At the time that meant that she didn't have Down syndrome. I was so worried about what others would think, how she would be treated differently. It just broke my heart. Then I met some other families with children with Down syndrome, and saw the beauty in their lives and their children. Many of them told me that if they could change the fact that their child had Down syndrome, they wouldn't. At first I didn't quite buy it, but I wanted to. Then my little girl was born, and fought for her life, and I knew it wasn't an accident that she had Down syndrome. It wasn't a "complication", it is part of who she is and she. is. AMAZING! She really is so special, not a day goes by that I am not amazed at how lucky I am to be her mom. One thing that the geneticist said to us while she was in the hospital really stuck out to me. He said that 46 of her Chromosomes are from us, her parents, just like any other child. The 47th is just a little something extra. That helped me to realize that she was still my baby. She has my features as well as her dad's. As the days go by the more I realize the fact that she has Down syndrome really isn't a big deal. She is who she is, and like I said she is amazing. I look forward to having her by my side the rest of my life.

So even though its scary at first, just know one day you will look back and wonder how you could have ever felt like that. I really wish every family could have a child like Kaelyn in their family, she has been such a blessing. Instead of feeling like others may pity us, like I did at first, I feel a little sorry for them, that they aren't as lucky as we are :)

Love Kaelyns momma, Jeana.