Where has it gone?

I can't believe that we are already through half of November. Soon it will be Thanksgiving, Jace's birthday, and then December. Where has it gone? I know it feels like we are always busy but I can't say that we have done much. Jay is really pushing for the December light rail opening here in Phoenix which keeps him very busy. Being the boss isn't as easy as it looks! My work is in the middle of Medicare Open Enrollment so I spend all my days, some nights, and even weekends putting out fires. (Not literally at least.) I really didn't plan on a career managing 1200+ telephone lines and 4 call center vendors. But I do love to be busy.

Jace and Jaron are doing really good. Jace is dating off and on, no one special yet but that's ok. He is still so young. Jaron is growing like a weed. He is now over 6 foot and still going. I don't know what I am going to do with him. I can't even keep him in pants. Jace is a Huntsman in build, doesn't fit the Brenchley, or Harper side. But Jaron, now he is a Brenchley; very tall, very stocky. I just can't believe that my baby is so tall. This is the only picture I have on my laptop but I should get another. Jaron has cut his hair now. I couldn't resist though, we are on Jay's trains.

The Color White!

What is it with us and the color white? My first car ever was white... The first car Jay and I bought together was white... Technically we have only owned one car that wasn't white, but that was a fluke because the only thing I didn't like about the car was the color. We just have a thing for white.

Our Toyota Tundra was a lease, and the contract was up this month. We had a choice to refinance and keep it, or buy a new one. We decided in early October to buy a new one but there wasn't a single white Tundra Crew Cab in all of Arizona. We seriously looked at a silver one and even looked at GMC's instead but we wanted a White Tundra. My husband, being the amazing man that he is, found one in Las Vegas. Now, it is funny to me that we would go to this length but last weekend Jay flew to Las Vegas and bought a Tundra. Sunday he drove it home. It was so funny. Neither of us really wanted to deal with the whole process of buying a car right now but we had to. I still can't believe Jay was so resourceful, and tenacious to go all that way to get it. It really is funny, but I do love the truck. And being Jay of course, he negiotiated better than anyone I know to get it. Sometimes I really am lucky to have him.

Other than the truck we have all just been hanging on around here. I had a major melt down on my computer at work this last month. It has taken the last two weeks to try and get things up and running again. I still don't have Instand Messenger up yet. This is the busy ramp up for us at work so it was just the most perfect timing to lose my machine.

We got Jaron's school pictures back. I have to find a way to scan them to publish. I mentioned before that Jaron's hair was down to the middle of his shoulder blades. It was all one length and really long. It was also blond. We got the pictures back and two days later Jaron cut it all off. Jay calls him a Qtip. It is so thick that it stands up straight when it is this short. But the funny thing is it is also back to brown because he cut off all the color. Two weeks later I am still trying to get used to seeing him with it that short. It looks so different. At 6.0 foot and short hair he looks so grown up.

Jace is just Jace right now. His big thing is he wants to find a job. I think he is ready to settle down and just work for a while. We will see if he changes his mind again this time. hee hee hee

October..... BOOO!!!!!

I can't believe it is October already. I only wrote in my blog once last month. Where did the time go. I do like this time of year though. At work this is the beginning of our "SALES" period so I am extremely busy ramping up all the partners. At home we have been working on getting our new yard lights installed in the back. Of course, the pool got a clog in it and had to be repaired so the bad evens out with the new lights.

Yesterday Jay thought it would be funny to measure us all to see how tall we were.... I was glad to know I haven't shrunk yet. Without shoes on I am still 5'7" tall. It made me laugh. Of course, without shoes Jay is still 6'3" tall. At least there isn't a foot difference between us like my parents were. Jace left his shoes on and was 5'11". My guess is he would be 5'10". See Gregory, he takes after you! Now the kicker. Without shoes on Jaron is 5'11 1/2". I would say he is 6'. WOW..... Where did the time go, how did he catch up. And better yet- who decided it was ok for me to be so short!

Just call me shrimpy!!!!!

Monsoon!

We have been saying for days that this was such a mild Monsoon season. We didn't have any microbursts that caused damage. As usual we spoke too soon! This is the aftermath of a wild storm that went through this last Thursday. It was truly wild. The lightning was so thick it looked like a lazer light show. There wasn't even any break in the thunder, just a constant rumbling. It really was cool but with the 79-100 mph winds going through downtown, damage to the new rail line kept Jay busy: support beam broken on the rail wires, stations with missing levelors, etc. It was a real mess downtown on Friday and 50,000 people were without power for most of Friday. The local news showed rows of power poles laying out on the ground in some parts of Phoenix. That is bad with our heat. Makes me thankful for underground electrical used where we are.

Salsa!

Jay and I like salsa. We have been making salsa for years. In Utah we would wait until the tomatoes come on the end of September and make at least 30 pints of canned salsa. Since we have moved to Arizona getting tomatoes by the bushel is very difficult. Therefore we are stuck with making fresh salsa by the batch. I love Jay's salsa and the fresh uncooked is so good. It is different than what we used to can but is still delicious. The only problem, I am allergic to fresh tomatoes. As I sit here looking at the big batch of salsa Jay is making I know I will eat a good amount of it and end up with a mouth full of cancors for it...... Ok, there are two problems, I also have no self control when it comes to Jay's salsa. I could eat the whole batch before the kids get back from shopping. I better not or they might throw me in the pool.

Salsa always reminds me of Fall in Utah. The cool crisp air, smell of falling leaves on the ground, and the frequent breeze blowing through Pleasant Grove. In Arizona we can have salsa all year round but it isn't the same. Makes me kind of home sick.

As for what's going on.... Jay just got back from San Francisco for business and will be heading out for Portland Oregon in the next week. At least they are only day trips or over a single night. Jace starts college back up this week. He is only taking the standard English, Math type classes with the exception of Japanese. He is really excited for that class. Got to take something fun to make it through each semester.

August!

August is always a busy month for us with School starting, our anniversary and my birthday all lumped together. This year didn't change that. Jaron started school on August 6th. I can't believe it is so early. I hate that we don't get at least 1/2 of August as summer. But he is there now and dealing ok.

Two days later was Jay and my 21st Wedding Anniversary..... I can't believe it has been that long. Of course, if I tell Jay that he reminds me that it is actually 25 years we have been together. He is so helpful sometimes. We both worked so we didn't do much for the anniversary but we are proud. It is something to be proud of to know that we have worked so hard to keep our family together. I am dang lucky to have a man willing to put in so much effort. And everyone thought I was the one that would have to work at being calm!!!! If you only knew.... hee hee hee

Last weekend we finished our last tile job in this house. Jay has wanted to do it for a year but we always seem to do it in the summer. It is great to be indoors then. It looks good but I am glad it is the last one. I think I have sore muscles where I don't even have muscles to begin with.

Jace starts school next week then we will all be back to the grind stone. I will not have my own live in maid anymore so it will be hard for me too. Of course, I won't have a 19 year old home making messes all day either... hee hee hee

Me

Hi all!
This is Jace.
Ok I'm good.

Not Ready Yet!

Jaron came into me today while I was working and mentioned that he starts school next week. NEXT WEEK! Today is August 1st and by Wednesday of next week Jaron will be in school again. I am so not ready for this. I am not ready for him to be back in school. Not that I mind him going to school every day but the constant worries about home work, grades, fashion, friends, etc. I am really not ready.

Jace doesn't start yet at least so we have a while for that but August is supposed to be my month to enjoy my birthday, and anniversary. Now we will have school going before either of those happen. This really bites!

YO, Director!!!!

Well, it is official. After Jay's boss left last month Jay has been acting Director of Valley Metro Light Rail. He refers to the experience as his 45 day job interview. Last week the company made it official and hired him for the job. Jay was so nervous for the actual interview and so relieved when he was notified that they were promoting him. He called home exstatic. Of course, all us at home weren't nearly as excited as he thought we should be. But the thing is, none of us were surprised at all. We knew that they would not be so stupid to hire someone else when they had Jay. We all knew how well Jay does his job so it wasn't a surprise at all. But it is good to have it official.

As for me, I have been at home all last week. How do you get a neck muscle spasm while lying in bed? Well I managed it last Friday night and spent the next few days with a migraine, then to the doctor, then on bedrest. It sucks getting old. Seriously though after a few days on muscle relaxants I am fine now. I didn't get to go out on the boat with the boys yesterday though because of it. How sad!

Jay took the boys out to the lake yesterday and spent the day wakeboarding. Jace has decided that he really wants to learn how. He has tried but not with everything he had. Jay was so proud of both boys yesterday. They kept getting up and trying and trying. After a bit they both got it and were wakeboarding without any problem. Jace was so excited. But they were also exhausted. It made for a great day for all. Next week I get to go so I can see them.

Monsoon!

Tonight is the first night the monsoons hit for the year. The rain doesn't last long but it blows and comes down hard. Jay goes around the house opening all the windows because we love to listen to it. I am sitting in the front windows watching it blow, pour and I can smell the rain. I love the monsoons. I know we should feel lucky because it has been such a mild summer so far, even with the first monsoon it wasn't as humid as usual. But even in the worst years, I can't help but like the sounds, smells, and feel of the rain. Since we get to sit indoors, it really isn't so bad.

BOOM!

So this is our train ride to the bridge to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. Check out Jaron's hair.

It really was great to see the fireworks from the train.

Boom!

I can't believe I missed the whole month of June. It was even eventful. Jay's boss left the company so now Jay is acting as Director and Operations Manager. Needless to say he is busy. VERY BUSY... Then we have Fathers Day and Jay's birthday as well in June. We had a great time for both but we haven't done much. We can't even travel with Jay's work as busy as it is. But it is great fun to have the trains running past my work each day. They are only testing but still, it is really exciting.

The best though was spending the 4th of July on the train. Because the system wasn't up and running we got to take a train to the Tempe Towne Lake Bridge and watch the fireworks. Here in Tempe they do fireworks from the Mill Street bridge over Tempe Towne lake. Talk about a view!!!! It was amazing.... We took tons of candy, and a radio to play our favorite firework tunes. It was fun as you can see above.

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day weekend has been interesting for us. Lets see, everything keeps breaking. Our fountain pump died, the pool heater is acting up, and we just paid 1200.00 on the air conditioner. Needless to say we didn't go or do anything. Jay and the boys are outside putting together a new shed to replace the one destroyed in the monsoon last year. That is good....

The weather this year is really nice here. It has actually been really cool. Yesterday is the first day all week we had weather back in the 100's. It has been raining on us. Poor graduation ceremonies were disrupted all last week.

School is out now but we are signing both boys up for summer school. Jaron will only be going for 2 weeks but it will help him get ahead a little for next year. Jace needs to get back to college so he is taking general ed courses at the local junior college. It is good to have them settled for the future. But, we won't be doing much travel this summer because of it.

Of course, we wouldn't be doing much travel anyway. Jay is finally running the trains for the testing phase at his work. That means that we are gearing up for the actual launch of service in rail here. This is going to be a busy time for Jay with everything going on. He is excited but also a little nervous about the time committment that will be involved. It reminds me of the Olympics. He will be busy and away from home a lot.

One last thing. It is official. Jaron is 6 foot tall. He is now taller than Jace. Still shocks me to see my baby so grown up. I took a picture yesterday I will have to add soon.

The Little Menace!!!!

Ok. I have always been too kind for my own good. I like to help people, it just makes me happy. This time I might have taken on more than I can chew. My boss was going on a trip for 3 weeks to Spain. He just purchased a 18 week old Golden Retreiver puppy for his little boys. The puppy hasn't gone through a full set of shots yet so no kennels would take her while they were gone. Needless to say, I offered to watch her.

Her name is Sadie, AKA the little menace. She is really cute, I mean adorable cute. She is the cuddliest thing I have ever seen. Anyone sitting on the floor ends up with a 25 pound dog trying to curl up in their lap. I mean she really is cute.... BUT she is a puppy. As a puppy she likes to teeth on stuff, she chases around the house, and makes me laugh. Case in point. Jaron is out exercising the dogs in the pool right now. The door wasn't closed tight. Sadie jumped against the door, ran into the house to say hi to me. Jumping at my legs she decided to shake off the water against the couch. What a little menace.

Other than watching the puppy for the last two weeks we haven't been up to much. The boys are so ready for summer. We haven't taken the boat out but we are ready to. Life goes on.... soon without the Little Menace!!!!

The crack of the bat!

The Spring Training season is over for us. Such a sad time. I have meant to add updates for the last three weeks but everytime I think of it I am thinking of baseball. Jay and I enjoy the games, the weather, the crack of the bat, the small crowds, just the fun of it all. It is always sad to me when the teams move on for the year.

March has been interesting for us. It has been colder than normal until the last week. Now we are back to normal it seems so of course we heated up the pool. I love getting in the pool this time of year. The sun is out, the water is warm, and the sky is just so blue. I could float in the pool for hours. Jaron had his spring break from school last week but all he was interested in doing was playing video games. He had a few friends over, seems like we have kids at the house all the time. Jace and Jaron enjoy it though.

Jace is working at an auto body shop still but has discovered that it is back breaking work sometimes. I laugh when he comes home covered with dirt from all the tires he gets to deal with. It is full time work though and keeps him busy and employed for now. He will have to decide where to go from here.

I have come to the decision that when you have kids the challenges you will face aren't explained for a reason. Everyone knows about the worry you will face about their health and safety. But as they get older you realize that the hidden challenges can be as important and more difficult to solve. Like teaching a child to be independent, to not fear decisions, to be ok with making a mistake. Or how about teaching them to take responsibility for their environment, manage their own finances, and recognise a true friend. It doesn't just come to us as humans we have to be taught these things. But as a parent how do you teach them - how did we learn them ourselves. Well of course, we learned them through experience. But as a parent that means we have let the child go through all the same heartache we did to learn. That is the biggest challenge of all. Now we know why no one explains before we have kids.

Spring!

Well it is official! Spring is here in Arizona... The boys of summer are all in town for spring training; the sage are blooming; the snow birds are starting to pack up! I love spring. I don't like the allergies that come with it but it so nice to just sit outside during lunch in the sun.

Not much has been happening at our house so I haven't been updating. We have all been sick with colds for the last few weeks. Being the close family that we are we just pass the cold back and forth. I think Jaron is on his third time with the same cold symptoms now. Of course, Jay is the one that had to be taken to Instacare for a shot and antibiodics. He just doesn't know when to rest! hee hee hee I don't ever seem to get it as bad as everyone else, just end up a little run down is all.

Jace and Jaron are making actual musket rifles with the boys in the ward. They had to do all the sanding of the stock and everything. The really have enjoyed it and are excited to actually be able to use them. Can't say I am excited about my two teenage boys handling guns that shoot musket balls but then, they are boys and I am not!!! The joys of being the only female in the house.

Jaron has his first high school dance tomorrow and believe it or not he is actually going. Jace was never one for attending the school dances. Jace and Jaron are just a lot different in personality. I think Jaron is excited. I have been going to place a picture of Jaron out here. You have got to see his hair. He still refuses to let me cut it. I really don't mind that it is long, I have always liked men with long hair. However, I really can't stand it always being in his eyes. Next time I get a chance I will take a picture.

Well, not much else is going on. Jay and I have tickets to ball games for the next few weekends. I will try to remember a camera so I can post a snap.

I'M SPOILED!

I never realized how spoiled I am until Jay travels for work. Jay is in Boston right now. Not having any fun I can assure you, but traveling nonetheless. I hate it when Jay travels because I have to drive to work by myself. It is bad enough that I actually have to do the driving but even worse because I can't take the car pool lane. Well, this morning I realized it is even more than just driving. My being spoiled starts even before I get in the car.

I think it has been years since I actually had to get myself out of bed. I set the alarm last night to get up on time.... must have set it wrong because it didn't go off. You see, Jay sets the alarm for us both. He also makes sure I am up when I should be... Hee hee hee... Talk about being an adult.

So I got up late this morning which means Jaron got up late as well. This means I have to take Jaron to school as well as drive in traffic alone. Needless to say, I got to work after 8:30. I am just spoiled. Jay just takes to good of care of me.

Weather, Whether, Nether.....

I am tired of being cold.... I moved to Arizona for a reason and finding frost on the car windows the last two mornings was not it! Of course, in Utah it is still snowing a lot so I shouldn't complain. It could be worse... My fingers, ankles, and wrists are stiff and sore here. Just imagine what they would be like there. Jay even wore a suit jacket to work this morning.

I know my kids are teenagers but it just hit me how close they are to grown. my nephew Cameron and neice Kaycee are getting married (Not to each other, don't panic!!!!) That means that I could conceivable be a great aunt in a couple years! A great aunt!!!! That makes me feel ancient. I remember when Cameron (my first nephew) was a newborn. With 5 aunts he was spoiled rotten you can be sure.... And Kaycee wasn't much far behind being the first niece. (Heidi, that is your fault entirely!) But still, I can't be a great aunt soon..... Can I? When I mentioned it to Jay he did have to remind me that I have been a great aunt for at least the last 10 years! Oopsss... I guess I can.

Jace is dating more often now. The new thing for dating in Arizona is to go out to dinner, and then play video games. Especially Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution.... Any of those that require a little movement out the participant. At first I thought it was funny but you know, that isn't a bad idea.... People like to move, they like the music, but they are also able to communicate with each other while doing it. I was kind of impressed with the kids to come up with it.

Spouses!!!!!

I know I posted today but I saw this on Natasha's blog and had to play:

What is his name?-
Jay Calvin Harper

How long have you been together?-
24 years on Feb. 19th. ( Now Natasha, that is downright scary - Jay and I started on Presidents holiday, did you?)

How long did you date?-
4 years 6 monhts

How old is he?-
(I don't think he would like me to answer that one!)

Who eats more?-
Jay used to but I think we are about the same now.

Who is taller?-
That one is easy. Jay! I still fit under his chin unless I have heels on. Sunday I stood on the bottom step to hug him. I kind of liked it. I didn't have to reach up. He thought I was a bit silly.

Who said "I love you" first?-
Actually Jay did. I think I was shocked! I answered back but wasn't sure at the time that I meant it. It took me 2 days to figure out I really did.

Who does the laundry?-
Jay does...... Although we do have an ongoing argument about it. Neither of the us think the other does it right.

Who does the dishes?-
That is what kids are for.... Kidding.... Most of the time I do.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?-
I do... Jay likes to be closest to the bathroom but when we have tried it the other way, neither of us sleeps well.

Who pays the bills?-
I do..... I think we both hate to pay them equally though.

Who mows the lawn?-
Again, that is what kids are for.... Sometimes I do because I think it is fun.

Who cooks dinner?-
Jay does. I hate to cook and would rather do dishes... Whoever cooks doesn't have to clean, That is the deal!

Who sings better?-
Easy, Jay hands down... I couldn't sing if someone did it for me.

Who drives when you are together?-
Jay.... After all, he is the professional.

Who is more stubborn?-
That would be me.... I don't often really care but when I want something, I usually get my way.


Who is smarter?-
I think Jay is, but smart is relative. I am more creative. Jay is more intellectually intelligent but I have a better memory. When it comes to smarts, I am no slouch either. I think we compliment each other well.

Who kissed who first?-
I kissed Jay first..... He spent the next 10 minutes telling me how I had ruined everything that he was saving himself for marriage. I felt so bad, I can't believe actually believed him.....

Who Proposed?-
Jay did. I didn't believe him. He had to fly back to Utah for me to believe he was serious.

Who is more sensitive?-
I think Jay is.... I am more of a cynic.

Who has more friends?-
Me. But again friends are relative. Jay has friendships that have lasted 20+ years. Mine don't seem to last as long.

Who has more siblings?-
I do... Same 7 siblings as Greg. . . but Jay is close with 6 kids in his family.

Who wears the pants in the family?-
Jay does! Well, technically we both wear slacks but I do have dresses on sometimes.... hee hee hee. As for leadership in the family, we believe in equal opportunity to screw up.

Super Bowl Mania!

This year the super bowl is here in Arizona. Jay and I have always had mixed feelings about major events happening in our area. You like the excitement in the air but you hate the inconvience. This is no exception.

Jay had a meeting in downtown Phoenix yesterday only to discover jersey baracades around the Hyatt hotel for a two block radius. Seems the NFL is all staying in the Hyatt. They don't want anyone even driving around it for security reason. I can understand the risk and agree with the safety measures. But of course, living it is a pain in the pattootee!!!

We also hear a lot of complaints about the weather for the super bowl. Now, we have experience strange weather for this time of year. I have seen more rain in the last two weeks than the previous 5 years we have been here. It has been cold, blustery, kind of damp. However, it is still Arizona. The highs are still in the 70's and come on.... the fans are from New York and Boston. This has to be heaven for them, even with a little rain!!.

As for the rest of us. Jaron is back in school, and Jace is out looking for a job. He is on leave from school until Fall 2008. Jay and I are living through our normal January. Just trying to keep going through the lazy days of winter. Nothing on television, nowhere to really go, just work. Kind of peaceful, I can't complain.

January

I haven't added to my blog in a long time, not that we didn't do anything but I always want to add pictures so I think I will wait until I get home. But on getting home, the last thing I want to do is work on the computer so hence, no updates. See the terrible cycle there!!!!

As for us, we had a wonderful Christmas with Greg, Natasha and Gavin here. It was so hard to see them leave. Everyone was home and being lazy this year. Gavin is such a doll and loved all the space. He didn't even cause any ruckus in an un-baby-proofed house. For New Years Eve Jay and I went to the Tempe Town Lake block party. We only stayed until about 10:00 when all the bowl game attendees started showing up. After that we went home to ring in the New Year with our boys. It was fun though. I think jay and I are getting used to hanging out as a couple again.

Last week Jay and I were in Virginia. Jay had an interview with a company starting light rail in Norfolk. I don't think anything will come of the interview, I really think it is too small of a system but we did have a great weekend together. We watched the new "National Treasure" movie at the Commodore theater in Portsmouth Virginia. It is one of the oldest working Art Deco dinner theaters and right next to Trinity Church. We went to the Jamestown Settlement, learned a lot about Pocahontas, John Smith, (she was only 12 when she met John Smith... No real love story). We also went to Colonial Williamsburg and toured all the Revolutionary war battlefields at Yorktown. Both Jay and I had been there before but not together. It was so fun to just spend time together. (Word to the wise.... It is so worth seeing all that history but avoid the wintertime. They don't do all the reenactments in the winter like they do in the summer.)

As for the boys, Jaron is back in school but Jace is still at home. He has worked out a medical leave from college for a few months while we work with his Neurologist in AZ to get his Migraine under control. Don't know what his plans are after that but that is the great thing about him being 19. I don't have to make them for him.... hee hee hee.

Tonight our Mutual age teens are all going to Jay's work to ride the train and tour the rail facility. Jay gets to play tour guide. I think it is hilarious but don't tell Jay that... He might just slap me!