First Week Down!

Hey all! I was encouraged to write a blog post, So here I am.

First off, here are some random pictures from summer that I thought would interest some of you. Feel free to skip on ahead if all you want to see is the college stuff haha.

This is a picture of some of what I did at my job at the nursery. Diane would get bored of how things were arranged in the greenhouse so she would have me redo them.

Again the plants

This is just a video clip of Buddy and his relationship with one of the cats that always hangs around. Buddy doesnt understand it when someone isnt his friend. Hopefully you all can see it.

I cut my finger at work landscaping at the ranch with some normal pruners. I should havebeen using a hedger but i didnt want to pick up, so i was just grabbing and cutting for an arctic willow. When I was cutting the side, I caught my finger in the cutters. My fingernail stopped it on one side, and it was an upward angle so i didnt need to get stitches. I do wish I would have gotten a picture when the blood was running down my hand though. 

Ruby :)

Sun highlights

Jared and James stacked the Peanut Butter

This is a chocolate mousse cake from work at the restaurant. I actually tried it too and it was super good. 

More summer pics. This is when I would drive truck for dad.

Horseback riding Yes that is me

BUS RIDE! I rode a bus from Idaho Falls to Post Falls as an end of summer hurah. It was a 12 hour ride but it was really fun and I talked to tons of people with all kinds of stories. Its kinda cool to see all of the different backgrounds of people. From homeless people, to weddings in Cali, to people who just dont like staying i one place, to helping girlfriends move to college. Its crazy! And im grateful my bus ride was as short as it was compared to some of the distance those people travel. Ohio, North Dakota, Illinois, etc.

That is my ticket and below is the first "bus" (actually van) that I rode. I stayed in this until Butte when I got on an actual bus. 

The stop in Rexburg

My real bus

This is actually the inside of the van. Nice and cozy... We had it stuffed full from Dillon to Butte so i was sandwiched on the back bench. It was definitely nice to get on a bus after that without someones armpit in my face haha. 

Finally made it!!!  Ida and Myrisa and me at a team dinner

Laufenberg girls (myrisa and her sisters) and I went to the beach. Myrisa decided to sculpt me, and without looking she got my body and height pretty much perfect.. #bestfriendgoals ;) Also that is Makinlee, her little sister, in that pic

Since Myrisa missed graduation, we reenacted pics

Soren and I before he left to his mission in Ecuador!

Me and Sydney at Bear Lake for a singles ward activity. Shes super goofy and sassy so it was fun to work with her at one of my jobs for the summer. We hung out a lot. My SV friend haha

These are just quick pics i took when we went for John's proposal. Im sure more will come later. They were just on my phone so there you go

My original i-card. Sorry the pic is blurry. But I lost this one right after the Get Connected, so I had to get a new one on Monday. And then this week i got an email that said they had it so now i have two haha. "Cool now i have two i-cards"

I went to Heise Hot Springs with Drake, Madeline, and Deveere Polluck on Saturday. Drake and Dee are from Post Falls and Madeline is my room-roomie. She is originally from Georgia but moved to IF right before her Senior year. Sounds familar right? Shes super cool and is like 6 ft tall. I dont have any pics really yet but maybe ill have to take an apartment photo. Anyways, this is my ring all tarnished right after the hot springs. It has faded back to silver now, but i thought it looked cool.

Soo ive been to at least three dances since Ive gotten here. All super fun. Two on campus and one off. The one off was on the roof of North Point. 

Flags for Constitution day

The floral kids were selling plants all I loved all these succulents and cacti! So I bought a little cactus and his name is Jerome. 

Our toilet clogged. And no one unclogged it. I didnt because i felt like whoever clogged it should do it. So we just didnt use that toilet for a couple days. Until it went down and looked like this. Now it is clean though and we have 2.

I was in the library on  David O Mckays birthday and i got a free cupcake. This is the leftover frosting that I didnt eat. Sydney doesnt like cake but she loves frosting, and im the opposite. So i sent this to her to let her know she needed to come eat it haha. (Shes at school in Western Wyoming)

My class

These are the best chairs

Dinner one night after working out with my roommate Chelsey. Chelsey is from IF and she actually knows Caitlyn Erickson. Shes is super fun and we're actually a lot a like. We work out together everyday. I had veggies I needed to use, so i just made a big salad for dinner one night. 

This is me, Madeline (or Maddie), and Audree. Ill have to find more roommate pics! 

Anyways, thats about it! I am learning how to shop and what I normally eat. I have used the stove about twice and the first time was actually to cook eggs. (WHHATTT?!!) I did eggs and potatoes in a tortilla. Im learning time management too. Ill normally have classes and then stay on campus to do homework until about 5 or 6. Then ill come home, workout, eat, and be done with my day. I think im the only one in my apartment that does that. And there is even a Senior and a Junior in my apartment.  

I really like that all the classes start with a prayer. And how the teachers relate everything to the gospel. Even in swimming. 

Oh yeah i guess i should tell yall my schedule. 

Monday: 

Swim @ 7;45

Humanities @ 9:00

Science @ 10:15

Book of Mormon @ 12;45

Tuesday and Thursday: 

English @ 9:45

Wilderness First Aid @ 3:15

Wednesday is the same as Monday only I also have an Auto class @ 4:30

Friday is just humanities and then im done for the day!

Swimming and Wilderness First Aid are probably my favorite. I have swallowed so much chlorine water though. And I know how to take blood pressure. 

Thats about all I can think of!! 

Feeling the Love

I just wanted to formally thank everyone for all the love I received on my birthday. I can tell now more than ever that I have family members that would do anything to help me be happy and overcome my problems.

Yeah. That's all I got. Y'all are the homiest of homies,

Love,

Jared

Pork 'n Beans, Uh!

While I was in Brazil, I taught Gabriel Pimenta one of the family favorite songs. He caught on pretty fast and we even tried some composing of our own. 

I stayed with Gabriel's family for my last few days in Brazil and I ended up giving them a Book of Mormon. It was really good. His parents liked me a lot because I got Gabriel and Graziela to be more involved and I taught each of them how to make cookies. Gina (the mom) was so sure that Gabriel would never do anything in the kitchen, but after teaching Graziela, I invited him to make cookies with me. We were in there and she would not stop taking pictures. She was so amazed and excited that her son was involved with something outside of what he normally would do. He actually would help out in the kitchen when he was younger, but as he got older he became less involved and less connected with his mom, as far as helping her in the kitchen. 

Become the Person You were Born to Be

This is a really good talk that that I liked. It reminded me of Mary's post as well as some of the other recent posts. I know that as we focus on being the person that we were each born to be we will feel more at peace with ourselves and determined to make the changes in our lives that we need to.

Christmas Exchange 2016

Here it is. The post y'all have been waiting for. In truth, the last few posts are much better than this one. The last couple years we've just been rotating down the line. Some of you will have someone two down the line from last year. That was necessary to prevent people being on the same person twice. It will all work out in the long run. Once again, the gift can be for the entire family or just for the couple. First column find your name; second column is who you are on.

Mom, Dad, Esther, James – Joseph and Eliza

Tillerys – Joshua and Briana

Taylors – John and Heather

Tanners – Jared

Daltons –  Mom, Dad, Esther, James

Joseph and Eliza – Tillerys

Joshua and Briana – Taylors

John and Heather – Tanners

Jared – Daltons

Any questions or concerns please call 1-800-WAIT4EVR. There you will talk to someone you don't understand. They will give you a solution that doesn't work, whereupon you may redial or simply destroy your phone.  

Virginia Virginia

It's becoming real.  The moving thing.  You know how when you keep something to yourself for a while, it's not really real.  Because you can choose not to think about it and you can choose not to talk about it.  And then when you tell it, everyone can approach you about it, even if you don't want to talk about it or think about it.  Kind of like when you are barely pregnant.  You put on the non-sick facade. And try not think about it. And then you tell people, it becomes real. And that's all they ever talk to you about. Well that's how moving is as so as you tell people. That's all you ever talk about. Gone are the days of idle chit chat.  But it's worse then telling people your pregnant. Because instead of being good happy news like being pregnant, its bad news. And I hate being the barer or bad news. I hate to see the tears start to well up in my friend's eyes, the confusion on their face.  And everyone wants to know why and when and how.  

So the word is out and all church events are spent in talking to people about the move.  And it's happening fast. October.  We have to be in Utah by October 15th.   

And we are so excited to be there for all these weddings!!! Wedding season it is!  Yay. We couldn't be more thrilled.  I'm going to love it.  And I so wish I could say that I'll have a big house for everyone to stay in while we go to all these wonderful weddings. But I don't think I will.  We are going to rent for a while and look and look until we find the one we want. And we will probably rent a tiny house with no room for anyone else. 

Our bishop would really like it if we stayed. He offered us a reduced tithing rate, and told us we could name our own callings. Ha! Scott seriously considered the tithing deal. Haa Haa!

There are already several families lined up for dibs on our house.  Everyone knows what a great landlady we have. So I don't think Joan will have problems with renters.

 I think, although I'm not sure, I'd have to ask you mom. How long did we live in the house in Huson MT?  Because I've lived in this house since March of 09, about 71/2 years.  Is this the longest I've ever lived in one house? I'm pretty sure I started Kindergarten in the Huson house.  I don't remember getting on the bus anywhere else.  And then I finished my eighth grade year there. So 8-9 years? Anyway this could be the second longest I've lived anywhere.  The longest that I've had friends in one spot. My friends here are closer than any highschool friends, except maybe Kirsten. And I've had all my babies but Ethan in Virginia. And two of them I actually had in this house.

It's a harder move.  So many memories here. It's all my kids know. They are so sad. 

But it's time to know family better.  For my kids to have cousin memories, and grandma's house memories and all of that.

Jared started it!

Here I am. Trying to be a woman of my word and share my guts. Thanks to Jared.

In reflecting on sharing this, I've come to the conclusion that one of the reasons I discourage myself from sharing is that it feels like it shows weakness. And Ericksons don't like to be weak or show tears.  But I've also realized I'm only human. And I bleed when I fall down...

So with a our farm comes lots and lots of work as many of you are aware.  We have goats, chickens and fields and a garden (didn't make it) as well as a house that still needs fixing up.  During the summer, the house rarely gets the attention it needs because the outside chores take presidence. I often feel like I can't keep up with all that's going on in my life and that I'm failing in several areas. I thought I felt busy before, but this is that busy times ten. "Imagine you're drowing and someone hands you a baby..."

So Sunday morning of all days, I'm out trying to water the field we just planted.  (Sunday is our watering day, the day we get water in our ditch and we are trying to figure our how to not do this on Sunday)  We planted our field and then we put furrows in the field so the water can run down.  We have gated pipe.  So we open these gates and let the water flow down the field.  We started digging our the dirt in each furrow, so the water will run down. This can be exhausting work.  It doesn't seem to difficult, but after 30 or so furrows, it gets tiring.  Meanwhile the kids are playing in the mud that we are creating and with the new puppy, Kippa.  Kip for short.  (That's what I wanted to call her, Glen's calling her Nippy or Nip)


The kids play in the mud awhile and then seem to disappear from the area while Glen and I do another 30 furrows and check to make sure water is flowing down each one.  It is time to get ready for church now, and feeling completely worn out and now it a hurry to get clean up and dressed.


We get to the house only to find muddy pants in the washer, mud on the bathroom floor, water all over the floor, clothes scattered, wet footprints throughout the house, a whole bottle of soap dumped into the tub. That (all of that) was my last was my last straw.


Thats it! I had had it!  I try so hard to clean up and improve and make our home nice and while I'm away working, I come home to this.  And I just started crying.  I just wanted to give up and not try and I didn't want to get ready for church and hurry, hurry, and have to fake it because I definitely wasn't making it.


I said a prayer, out loud.  I talk to the Lord this way and say, "Ok, Lord, what now.  I give up."

I opened the lesson I was suppose to prepare for that day.  And it was a talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled, "Forget me Not." And the first petal of the flower out of five is: "Forget not to be patient with yourself.  I want to tell you something that I hope you will take in the right way: God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect."(You got that right, I said in my head)

"Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not.

And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

It’s wonderful that you have strengths.

And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.

God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths,but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect,2<https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/forget-me-not?lang=eng#note2> and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.

For example, insisting that you have a picture-perfect family home evening each week—even though doing so makes you and everyone around you miserable—may not be the best choice. Instead, ask yourself, “What could we do as a family that would be enjoyable and spiritual and bring us closer together?” That family home evening—though it may be modest in scope and execution—may have far more positive long-term results.

Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey."

And that's what I was doing.  Comparing my lack of "making it" to those that seemed like they have it all together.  Or comparing my small house to those whose houses are more clean or more grand. And I wasn't finding joy in the small achievements that I had made.

I had some more thoughts that would help. (the Holy Ghost gives customized answers. Just for you)
1. Get to bed early.  At least by 10.  (I had been getting to bed late because I needed to wind down after such and exhausting day of being behind.  I needed to let some things go and just go to bed.)
2. Stay off social media, at least for a while.  10 minutes once a week (Sometimes when I get on social media I find myself comparing and seeing how lacking I am.  How I'm not pretty and my teeth aren't nice.  And my house will never look like that.  And look at her abs?  How does she do that?  My hair is going gray.  I look so old. And on and on....  I also feel like I'm in a past friends fog, if that makes sense.  I think about and even dream about (If I'm on social media at night) people I knew and what's going on in their lives.  Its hard for me to shake that and focus on the here and now.  Less is more in my case.
3.  I found an article that would help with decluttering my house.  (Another answer)  Basically just setting times to work on it, so you make sure it gets done.  Going thought EVERY SINGLE THING in your house and asking yourself the question, Donate, Keep, or Trash.  I'm setting times this week.
4.  Also set aside times to accomplish your dreams.  SO those get done too.  Then they become realities and not just dreams.

After having those thoughts, and writing them down, I felt much better.  I had a plan of action.  I had a bit of hope.  I have four beautiful healthy children.  I live in a scenic area with mountains.  I had many sweet experiences with the kids on our farm.  And many happy memories.  

In Praise of those Who Save

I listened to the conference talk "In Praise of Those Who Save" by Elder Utchdorf. It got me thinking about Jared's recent blog post I would encourage all to review it.
Here is a quote or two from it

Rather than attempting to force everyone into a mold of our own making, we can choose to celebrate these differences and appreciate them for adding richness and constant surprises to our lives.

Whatever problems your family is facing, whatever you must do to solve them, the beginning and the end of the solution is charity, the pure love of Christ. Without this love, even seemingly perfect families struggle. With it, even families with great challenges succeed.
“Charity never faileth.”5
It is true for saving marriages! It is true for saving families!

Honest Blogging Aftermath...

This family is mucho awesome. I love you all soooo much! 

I just wanted to post an update about my life as well as a few things that I have learned since posting that other blog. 

So life is really good right now! BYU beat Arizona and the defense looked super solid. I went to bed at 12, but what I did watch I thought the defense looked really good. I also thought the offense looked consistent and clean but just couldn't put the ball in the end zone. I mean I looked up the stats this morning and saw that the had over 400 yards on offense so obviously they were moving the ball and there were no turnovers which is awesome. I just hope they can put it in the endzone against Utah. Their defense is a lot better than Arizona's.

I am loving life here with the Tanners! Scott is a great boss. He pushes me to be better and do good work. We always have good conversations and he is a funny dude. Nicolina is super great too! I love her a lot. She always has a lot to say if you are willing to listen! I like to listen to her opinion and learn from her wisdom. I've been trying to learn patience as I help her kids and I am not very good, but hopefully I will get better so that I can be a good husband! :)

I know that the Tanners have been really patient with me, I am not the best or most consistent helper and I am learning to be less selfish. 

SO as far as things that I am learning after my other recent post I have been able to talk to every single member of the family since that time and I have been told a lot of stuff by all of them! I think the biggest two things that I learned from all of that though is that the blog post was more for me than the family and from John learning that relationships go two ways. I definitely need to put in the work if I am going to be closer to the rest of my family! I am definitely busy a lot, but I am putting forth some effort right now by posting this blog!

Love yall!

Jared