Help!

Has anyone canned tomatoes before? I'm delving into it tomorrow. If anyone has had experience, I'd love to pick your brain. I've canned peaches, but I hear tomatoes are different.

Happy Birthday, Jen!

It's Dan and I approve this message (I also wrote it)...

Today, September 15, is a great day. It's the day Jennifer was born. 12 years ago I wouldn't have been able to tell you what a great day in the world's history this was. But since then I've learned. Presidents, writers, baseball players, musicians, and actors all share the same birthday but none of them made today as special as when Jen came into the world 32 years ago.

If Jen wouldn't have been born, this world would be a much sadder place. I know I would have been a lot less happy! Without trying to be too sappy, Jennifer is the sunshine in my life. I wake up every day and am excited to get out of bed because I know that she is there with me and I get to see her beautiful face. Even on days I am not at home or she is visiting family and we aren't together, I still wake up knowing that she is somewhere in the world. I've stolen enough secret glances to know her beauty just by closing my eyes. And that makes my day.

If Jennifer weren't here, the world would have been graced with three less beautiful children. For the most part, Joshua, Emily and Adam are really good kids. And that is because of Jennifer. If they ever do anything wrong, you can blame me for that.


Jennifer has a lot of talents. Some that are very noticeable. Some that maybe aren't so much.

Most people know she is an expert dress maker and loves to sew. If someone needs a little fix on an outfit, Jen is the one they come to if they can't do it themselves. She can fix just about anything with a few stitches and a little time. She has a beautiful voice. Before we got married, I promised her brother Derek that I would continue to encourage Jen to sing after we got married. I probably need to do a better job of that (sorry, Derek). But if you've ever heard her, you know she sings beautifully. I love when she sings around the house. She is a great chef. She is always figuring out new ways to make old foods so they are both more interesting and healthier. She can slip vegetables into foods so the kids (and I) don't even know they're there. Now that takes talent!

But the less-noticeable talents are the ones I love the most about Jen. She cares about everyone. If she notices that someone needs help, she is the first to be there. If someone isn't feeling well, she'll make them some food (see above for why this is such a good thing) and bring it over. She's also really "in tune" with people around her. She just knows when someone feeling well or needs a loving hug or just someone to talk to. If I notice someone may need something, I'll throw out the usual "Let me know what I can do." Jen doesn't wait for someone to let her know. She just does it.

I don't think I am overstating anything when I say that Jen is probably the best person I know. I am lucky to have found her and to have somehow convinced her to marry me. She is my entire life and without her, I would be lost. And for selfish reasons, that's why I celebrate this day. Because without Jen, what kind of world would this be?

Old Memories

Last week Emily got a fun package from Utah. It contained keep sakes from Great Grandma Hilton who died recently. I know I meant to write about this forever ago, but oh well. With Great Grandpa having worked in the jewelry business for years, grandma had collected quite a lot of jewelry. So much so, that after dividing it out between all the generations of girls in the family, there was enough for the great granddaughters too. This is what Emily received: A pretty, little handkerchief, a pearl necklace, diamond clip-on earrings and a pink gem necklace. The first two were put away for keep sakes, but the sparkly stuff is all for play. Those accessories have been off and on a million times ever since.


Though we were sad to lose our Grandma, the funeral and trip were so nice. Grandma was so vivacious and strong. She told you things like it was and was so generous to everyone. She loved to hold all the new babies and gave the best advice. She remembered every birthday and no one will ever forget her formal Thanksgiving dinners to feed even the largest group. Grandma was the biggest UT Jazz fan too. In fact, she and Dan had a rather intense rivalry between the two of them. When ever we visited their home, grandma pulled out extra Jazz paraphernalia to display and Dan wore SUNS shirts everyday we were there. After a SUNS vs Jazz game, it was a rule of thumb that who ever won, would call the other and gloat. She and grandpa were such big Jazz fans that the table at her viewing displayed Jazz items because it just wouldn't be a table about grandma without it.

All and all the weather was beautiful. The kids were angels even with days of drive without a single electronic device. It was nice to see all the cousins and family. I especially loved the experience my children had of life coming full circle. It was a wonderful teaching experience for them to see just how different our bodies look with out our spirits. To remind them that we will see our Grandma again. That families ARE forever.

First Sandwich

It wasn't too fancy, just butter and stawberry jelly, but it was Adam's first sandwich. He only gave it a quick look and proceeded to gum it to death. He loved it and didn't make too big of a mess. After a lot of lip smacking, finger squishing and tongue clicking all "visible" pieces were consumed. Hmmm....anyone else hungry?

Palmer Family Reunion

Here is a quick look at our Palmer Family Reunion:

Though we only spent the day at the Christopher Creek Cabin, we had a ton of fun. It was just like when I was little. The kids played in the creek, caught crawdads and built forts while the grown-ups chatted. Then all 4 generations played games and did relay races.

Here are the Dennis Palmer family kids set and rarin' to win the race.

The kids could also earn "Love bucks" by helping to clean up the cabin, giving hugs, & participating in games. Then they turned in their "bucks" for super fun prizes and treats. Here is Emily, Brooklyn and Lily sporting their great buys.

Grandma Palmer was really reminiscing about the old days when my generation was little. Here is a picture just for her! It is of the three oldest girls. Nikki, Jeanna & Me. Every year (way back when) we would practice a song and dance routine to perform at the reunion's family talent show. We called ourselves "The Electrons." (I know, sounds impressive!) We wore our leotards and leg warmers with glittery shirts on top that sported a lightning bolt on the front. Our Aunt LaDawn would do our hair and makeup and make sure to include our signature lighting bolts on our cheeks. Grandma was definitely right. Those were the days! So we indulged grandma with an updated, far less glamorous, version.

She also was thought it was sweet that we all had babies this last year and wanted a picture to remember that as well.

Whew, what a whirlwind. Until next year!

Playing Dentist

Today, both Em & Josh came home with teeth practically dangling from their mouths. After dinner we got out the string and got to work.

Before
Josh's Top Left Tooth/ Emliy's Bottom Left Tooth

After

Josh's tooth practically jumped out of his mouth. One unsuccessful tug by me and Em proclaimed she would pull out yet another of her own teeth. This is what happened:

After a few tears, I gave the tooth one more good tug and it too was out. I hope the tooth fairy can keep up with all this business, especially since amid all the action we realized they each had another wobbly chopper. I need more quarters!

Voting

Growing up I learned to be very patriotic. To love my country and be proud of it. I have voted in nearly every election of any kind since I was 18 years old. Today was no different. It took me literally 10 minutes to leave my house, vote, and get back home again. When I voted at 1:30pm I was only the 14th person to vote that entire day. When Dan voted at nearly closing time, he was voter number 25. Only twenty-five people in our entire area voted?! Are you kidding me? I couldn't believe that so few people cared. How are we supposed to make any difference or retain any integrity in a society that is already lacking so much? To say the least, I'm a little peeved.