Recent Happenings - April 2014

So since my last post, things got busy, and then I had to start a blog for a summer class that I've been taking and as a result I really neglected this blog. But I missed it! So here I am about to attempt to update you all with our recent happenings.

First I'll start in April - which seems like it was ages ago. The first weekend of April was General Conference. I love the opportunity to listen to our living prophets who lead and guide us! This conference, I also had the opportunity to sing in a choir during one of the sessions. It was so cool! The Orem Institute of Religion (at UVU) was asked to provide the music in the Saturday afternoon session. The chance to join the choir was one that I didn't want to miss. We learned five hymns (plus the congregation hymn) and were told that we would sing at least three of them, and then two of them would be used if there was extra time to fill. We all knew that in reality we probably wouldn't use the two extras. But it was fun to practice and learn it all!

The choir singing "High On a Mountain Top"

If you pay close attention, you can see half of me close up for a couple of seconds towards the end. ;) To see videos of the other songs and talks, click here.

Also in April, we finished up the seemingly never-ending semester. Garrett finished a week before me (but I got a Spring Break in the middle, so I'm not complaining) so he worked for a week, and then on Friday the 25th, I took a couple of finals and then we went down to Arizona. This trip has a bit of a story to it.

My great-grandparents, Harold and Nina Bowman, founded Jacob Lake Inn just off of the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1923. My Grandpa and Grandma, Harold Jr. and Afton Bowman, and Harold Jr's sister Effie Dean and her husband John Rich, continued to work hard at the Inn and on the ranch close by. My Grandpa died when he was quite young. As he was flying from Kanab (southern Utah, closest plane hanger to Jacob Lake) to Salt Lake City he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. When he passed away, he left behind my Grandma and their four young kids. My Daddy was the oldest and he was only 9. It was hard to keep up with the demands of single motherhood and running a business. Effie Dean and John and their family stepped up to the plate and kept everything going. The Rich family currently runs and maintains Jacob Lake Inn. We love it when we are invited to join them at Jacob. There is a wonderful spirit there, and we love being there!

Harold, Nina, Harold Jr, and Effie Dean

My family in front of the Inn at the end of our most recent trip down as a family. Thanksgiving 2011.

Jump ahead to this last Marchish... I was at work and went into a coworkers office to deliver some supplies to him. I commented on some small Navajo rugs that he had on display on his desk and mentioned that my Dad basically grew up in Northern Arizona. My colleague, Mark, asked where and I just kept beating around the bush because I didn't think he'd really care. Finally, after he had asked me to be more specific, I asked, "Do you know anything about Jacob Lake?" He responded enthusiastically about how he did. I explained that I was the great-granddaughter of the founders of Jacob Lake Inn, and he proceeded to tell me that he has a friend that manages the insurance policy on the Inn and explained that the two of them go down to help with the Cattle Round-Up every year. I was excited about the connection about thought it would be fun to hear more about it, but my colleague interrupted my questioning to say. "You should come with us!" I was really hesitant about it though. I've never helped on a round-up! I would just be in the way! After some convincing, I agreed to go.

Here is the part where I regrettably explain that I left my camera at home during the trip. Garrett kept reminding me to pack the camera, and ultimately I was a big finals week space case and left it at home. I know, I'm such a dork! But I will attempt to explain the trip as best as I can.

The rest of the round-up crew went down on Thursday night to start early Friday morning. Because I had some finals that I had to take on Friday, we went down as soon as we could after that. It was anticipated that we would make it to Jacob around 5 o'clock that night, then we would get to see everyone for a few hours, hear about the day, then go to bed and work in the morning. When we were about an hour away, I got a call from Mark.

"Jeni. Where are you?"
"We're almost to Kanab. Why?"
"Tomorrow's weather isn't supposed to be good. Hurry up, we're branding tonight!"
"Okay, we'll hurry!"

Now we were feeling bad that everyone was waiting for us, especially because we didn't know how many calves we needed to brand and we were worried that it would be difficult to do when it was dark. We finally got there at about 5, and awkwardly walked up to the gate. It has been a long time since I had seen all of my distant relatives, so the only person I would really recognize was Mark. We eventually got in and got situated. It was clear to all of them that I had never had anything to do with cattle round-ups or brandings, and that Garrett only had a little experience. I volunteered to be the recorder who would prepare the tags and keep track of which numbered calf was a bull or a heifer. Garrett had the job of putting the clotting powder on the calves heads after their horns had been cut.

And then, like a whirlwind, the biggest calf of the bunch came out of the shoot (chute?). One man lassoed the the calf by the neck, then two others worked on lassoing it's back hooves. Once they had the back hooves, one, two or three (depending on the size of the calf) would simultaneously tip the cow to it's side, then they would loosen the rope around its neck and tie it's front hooves in with it's neck. Then out came the horns (and Garrett's job to cauterize the wound), they would tag one ear, yell to me on the sideline if it was a bull or a heifer, then if it was a heifer they would cut a triangle out of its other ear. Then the men would turn the calf to its other side in order for the actual branding to take place. Man... The smell of cow hair and skin burning is not pleasant. And, before this even in my life, I always thought that cows only ever had one expression. You know, the whole blank face thing? Like this:

Come to find out, that is not entirely true. When a cow is being branded it (for good reason) sure hollers about it. After completing this process 22 times, we determined that the calves that still had their umbilical cord could wait until Fall branding. It was cool to actually see how the whole branding process was done!

When we finished, we made traveled a few more miles up the plateau to the Inn. It was so fun to show Garrett this place that had so much of my family's heritage! We loved the chance to have dinner at the Inn and enjoy the company of my Dad's cousins and a few of their kids. When we went to our room, it was lightly raining. We knew that there was rain in the next day's forecast and just figured it was getting a head start. But when we woke up the next morning, there was snow. Yep, snow. We were prepared for rain, but not snow! After breakfast, we layered on all of the clothes we had packed for the weekend and drove to the bottom of the plateau to the ranch. When we got there, it was very obvious that we were unprepared for the snow. The others around us were very kind and gave us any extra gear that they had. Mark gave me some snow pants and gloves at first I told him I didn't want them, but he explained that I would be one of the horse riders so I would need them. I had no idea that I would be on a horse all by myself... The only time I had done been on a horse by myself, someone else was leading it. So I took the snow gear, and hoped on an old horse (seriously, he was about 19 or 20, which I'm told is pretty old for a horse) and followed Garrett around. I wasn't very good, but I sure had a lot of fun! I got very saddle sore and very cold, but overall it was a great experience!

That night most of the crew headed back to Salt Lake, so Garrett and I had the opportunity to stay at the Inn and have dinner with my Dad's cousin Steve and his wife Melinda. They were so kind to tell us stories about my late Grandpa and Great-Grandpa and even stories about my Dad as a boy. I loved hearing the stories, and even more I loved that Garrett could hear the stories and experience this beautiful place that I had talked about so much. 

Taking a Stand

Tonight as I was contemplating the things going on in the world around me, I found myself having a difficult time sleeping. Something kept urging me to write down my feelings. I think it may be time for me to share them. The reason I haven't done this sooner is because I've been nervous. Nervous that I would hurt someone, offend someone, or something of that nature. But I'm mostly nervous that I will be able to portray what is in my mind and heart correctly. I'm not always the best with words, especially when it comes to matters that weigh on me like this does. But I've been thinking about it for too long now, and I can't seem to get it off my mind so I will give it a shot.

With that being said, I want to clarify that my intentions here are not to ignite any arguments or negative feelings. My sole intention is to make my thoughts and feelings known.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a member because I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth. I know that Jesus Christ came to the earth, that he atoned for my sins and the sins of the world, that he was crucified and that he was resurrected. I know that because Christ came to the earth and atoned for my sins, I am made whole, and I am able to repent. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I sustain him and the brethren that stand with him. I sustain them because I know that these brethren receive specific revelation and counsel directly from the Lord for me, and every other member. I sustain them by listening and obeying this counsel, because I have a testimony that they are direct instruments in the Lord's hands and they will not lead me astray. I know that the teachings of the church are not intended to correspond with trends or what we think we know is best, but instead the teachings correspond with what the Lord knows is best for us.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma teaches the people prior to their baptism that they should be "...willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in..." (Mosiah 18:9). I know this to be true! I will mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. There are many in this church who are currently struggling with different subjects. All kinds of subjects. Many of which the church does not agree with their personal stance and opinions. Some have chosen to leave the church, others have chosen to mandate change within the church, and several more are questioning where they stand. I mourn with them and I wish to comfort them. I'm sure that this place of uncertainty, possible confusion, and heartache cannot be pleasant; and I'm sure that it is difficult to work through. 

But as I mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, I will also follow Alma's counsel to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that I may be in. It is because I choose to stand as a witness of God that I will not lower my standards or compromise my values while I strive to help and encourage others. 

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson said, “Occasionally, some of our brothers and sisters may find themselves away from the fold because of personal choices. Without condoning those choices, it is important to remember the Savior’s message of leaving the ninety and nine safely in the fold and reaching out with love, with kindness, and with compassion to the one. We can demonstrate that compassion by ensuring that our communications with one another are respectful and kind.”

I know that the words tolerate and love are not synonyms. I will not condone choices that are not in line with what I know is right, but I will love those I come in contact with. I will help them and strengthen them in anyway that I can. I know that what brings me the most comfort in times of difficulty is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I will share that with anyone who is willing to listen. I know that the words of the prophets in the scriptures and in these latter-days speak truth. I will continue to sustain my leaders, the prophet, and apostles by following them. 

The Time We Got Engaged

A year ago today, er...yesterday (I'm a little behind getting this posted), Garrett asked me to marry him. It was such a fun night! The time leading up to that night was fun too. For old times sake, I wanted to write a little blog post about the night Garrett proposed and touch on some of the events leading up to that night.

Come time that Garrett proposed, we had been "pre-engaged" if you will, for about a month. We talked about marriage for a couple of months before we really knew that it was the right time for us. Once we knew, we then knew that the engagement would be pretty short because Garrett's parents would be leaving on a mission in June, and we wanted to give them some time in between the two big events. Because of that, we already had the temple booked before a ring was even in the works. Funny, huh?

I was a little particular about the kind of ring I wanted, and Garrett was so nice about it. I gave him a picture of what I would love and he had it made. This is an important aspect to the story, because the wife of the jeweler that made the ring had a baby right in the period of time that he was making the ring. When Garrett told me that the jeweler's wife had had a baby and it would take an additional week to be done I totally believed him. Mostly because he forwarded their emails to me as an explanation, so I thought it wouldn't be done until the beginning of April. Come to find out, the story was true, but Garrett had changed the dates that him and the jeweler were talking about to get me thinking.

So here I am, mid March of 2013 when we are getting married in about two months, I wasn't going to have a ring for a few more weeks, and we desperately needed to take our engagement pictures for our invitations. So I scheduled a time to take our engagement pictures with our good friend and photographer, Kim, on March 27th knowing that I wouldn't have a ring by then and we agreed to just take a few more later when I had ring too just for fun.

March 23, 2013 was a Saturday and Garrett and I were both scheduled to work. We knew that we would do something later that night but didn't know what, but that wasn't abnormal for us. I got off work early, so I called Garrett thinking that we could do something earlier. He said that he was home helping his family with some yard work so he still wouldn't be back until later but he would call me when he was available. Later, when he was available, he said that our friend Ty needed some help for a school project so we were going to go to his apartment with some of our other friends and do this project. I told him that sounded like fun and thought nothing of it. Starting to see a pattern?

We got to our friend's apartment and everyone was already working on this art project. Ty explained that we needed to tape our names to a piece of paper and then paint over using random items to create "texture." Convincing, right? I went along with it and had a lot of fun! Garrett started taping his name on a piece of paper, and then the next thing I knew he had flipped the paper over and started taping, "ME." I just thought he didn't want to take the time to tape 7 letters on a piece of paper, so I didn't think anything of it. Again.

Everyone else was done with their artwork, but I was still taking my sweet time because I was having fun with it. Eventually I was told that we had to take a picture all together with our pictures and a couple of people had to go, so I needed to hurry. I finally finished and my paper was swept away to be held by the oven to expedite the drying. There were a few people outside taking tape off of their papers (or so I thought) while others were inside trying to get the tape off of mine.

Finally, everyone's pictures were done and we were situated to take a picture with all of our name paintings. All of our friends were standing behind us while Garrett and I were kneeling on the floor in front by ourselves. I remember turning around to make a comment that others could kneel by us to make sure everyone was in the picture (obviously not knowing what was going on...thankfully they weren't their in picture position). They brushed it off and I turned around to take the picture.

Still not knowing what in the world just happened, after this picture was taken everyone stood up and started to put their pictures in a pile. Ty had taken the picture and was making some comment about someone's face in the picture. I don't even remember what else was said really... I just remember going to look at the camera to see whoever it was in the picture making a funny face and seeing this picture

I was shocked! Completely flabbergasted! And slightly disoriented... For a second I didn't know what was going on, but then all of a sudden there were rose petals falling from the ceiling in a swirling motion (later I found out that they did this by putting the rose petals on the ceiling fan - clever!) and then Garrett was in the middle of the room on one knee. He pulled out a little box, and then he put it right back away and said, "Wait. I have a speech!" He was such a tease!

Then he said, "Jeni, after you were the one to ask me on our first date, and you were the one to hold my hand, and you were the one to kiss me... I thought that I would be the one to ask you... Will you marry me?" 

For those of you who know our history, this was so funny! It was so perfect and so fun! Of course I said yes and made him stand up and kiss me and the rest was all mushy, mushy, mushy.

Fun Fact: Ty told us to take the next picture with a serious face. It was for an assignment, so I complied. Which resulted in this picture

Another fun side note: My cute friend Krissi with Krissi Cook Films made a fun love story video for us  that we talk a little more about our story in. You can watch here of you'd like to.

The Bluffdale House: Saying Goodbye

A few months after Jake I turned 1-year-old, my family moved into our Bluffdale house. At that point, my parents had their whole family, all nine kids. Because I was so small, I don't remember the move. My Daddy tells us stories about moving in without any carpet, and eating Little Caesar's pizza while sitting on the plywood floor. 

My cute parents are on the brink of being empty nester's, but with my Daddy's blood clots and both of my parent's back pain, being in that big house and having that big yard was really hard. They sold the house and are now living in a city close by where just about everything is on one level (less need to use the stairs) and the only lawn they have is a tiny patch out front.

Unfortunately when the move started happening no one thought to take pictures before everything came down. Thank goodness we do have a few pictures of the house thanks to our cute friend Kim who took pictures when we celebrated before Jake left on his mission, and a few more from Miriam who is a family friend and my parent's realtor.

I wanted to share a few of the pictures that we have of that house

I love that wrap around porch!

I always loved that the huge bookshelf was the first thing you'd see walking in. Pictures don't do it justice!

The family room and kitchen

I love those swinging seats!

Some of my favorite details in the kitchen

I'll definitely miss this library

We've had a lot of really fun pictures that we've taken of our memories together in that house. I just wanted to share some of them that I have. They are in no particular order.

Note to my siblings: I know that some of you may not like some of these pictures  because they may seem embarrassing, but I think they're fun. So I used them anyway. :)

Getting our first cell phones from the New Year's Brownie

Our Thanksgiving replica of Brett while he was on his mission. This stayed up for a long time. Pretty creepy!

The traditional Christmas Eve Pyramid.

The ever-so-common picture in front of the fireplace :)

Before Dance Company Formal - Jakey was my date!

Ginger and the infamous finger-dinosaurs

Wait for it....

Definitely a remake of the original moment - but it was hilarious regardless!

Kari and her replica

Before a dance

The day the braces came off

We always been cool...

Cousin twins - a week apart

Darling sisters

Our little Jack-in-a-bucket :)

Michelle is the cutest and would make these signs for us and they would hang there for weeks :)

Momma's got swag ;)

I won't lie, the move was hard for all of us. It was weird watching each room be emptied. It was weird watching things be divided up to go to my siblings and me. It was even weirder to see the carpet, shelves, wood flooring and such removed while we were moving out. (My Mom was soo nice to let the new owners come in and start their remodeling before we were supposed to be out. Maybe a little too nice...)

So, in Bowman fashion, we decided to all went back to the house to "say goodbye." I know, this might seem weird, but it gave us the closure that we needed. Or maybe I should speak for myself and say that it gave me the closure that I needed.

Initially we wanted to go out the way that we came in, eating Little Caesar's pizza while sitting on the plywood floor, but it was Sunday so instead we bought Klondike bars the day before and ate them as we walked around the house. Then Dad and the boys took down the U.S. flag, as well as the U of U flag (yes, of course it was up!)

Chelsea and me proudly remembering the time we painted that bathroom by ourselves :)

We had to get one last picture in front of that fireplace!

The "Originals" after Dad and the boys took down the flags from the flagpole.

We've had some incredible memories in this house. We've learned, laughed, cried, experienced failures and triumphs; but most of all we've loved.

I know that regardless of where we're housed, our home will be wherever we are together. Although it's hard to say goodbye to memories, I am more grateful for the fact that the memories were created than I am sad to leave the place where they were created. I'm grateful to know that I have a family that loves me regardless of my weaknesses. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who allows us to love and be loved. Who has blessed us with minds that help us to keep our memories and create more. Who has blessed us with an incredible blessing of eternal life, and even more, eternal families.