Thursday, October 31, 2013

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Road Home


October 2013
There is nothing that can compare to giving service.  Add willing, happy family members serving alongside and it's a little bit of heaven.  

When our non-profit organization, My Story Matters asked for volunteers to help with a special project, I didn't realize that 75% of the volunteers would come from the Jackson Family.  Thank you dear family for offering a bit of your time and talents to the children and families of Roadhome.  Below are a few of your comments...thank you for your loving service.  

Also thanks to Melissa (Jackson) for being our family photographer-she seems to have left herself out of the pictures!

My experiences at the Salt Lake homeless shelter are and will be forever in my heart as I grow older and try to serve people of all kinds. My first experience at the shelter was when we spent some time interviewing and photographing the families there.  I loved it.  Then came the day we got to deliver the books.  I could see all the people lined up to get there books that My Story Matters put together for the families.  It was great watching the families lined up eager to get their books.  The books were amazing with so many cute pictures of each family member. After they received their books I loved watching the children and parents open their books.  Their faces  would light up when they read the pages.  I also loved to watch the little kids choosing their very own blankets.  They held them tight and squeezed in joy because maybe some of them didn’t have their own blankets.  I would ask them which color they wanted and they would choose their favorite color.  I also was put in charge of creating and helping all the children there sign a huge banner that said THANK YOU HERITAGE MAKERS.  The children signed and drew pictures all over the sign to say thanks.  I want to thank all the people that invited me to visit the Roadhome.  THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving me these experiences and I hope that I can come back to help and serve more children and their families.
Cierra Warenski.

I  had a very unique experience with the Roadhome shelter.  I realized that  I am very blessed to have the things I have and I am grateful to my parents who provide for me.  Some children were happy even though they obviously don't have much.  I was impressed by that characteristic.  Some children were reserved and were less happy to play and interact with me.  I hope they are all able to find homes soon.
Lauren Chong
  
I liked listening to the stories the dads had to share and working with the little kids. I especially liked watching the kids open their storybooks.  It felt good to be with the nice people of Roadhome.
Jake Chatfield

Spending time at the road home was a great experience. I definitely think I got more out of it than the families. Seeing those kids and families have an opportunity to get family pictures put things into perspective. I was glad to help and learn about the homeless needs in Utah as well as the my story matters program.
Noah Zemke

Volunteering at the Road Home was a wonderful experience. I loved photographing the kids and families and helping them feel important. There was one child who kept coming back to me and asked to have his photo taken again. He wanted to see the photo I'd taken after each shot and the way his face lit up when he saw himself left me with such a great feeling. It was awesome to put some smiles on their faces.
Allyssa Zemke (Professional Photographer for the storybooks)

The Road home was amazing.  I loved it, even though it was sad to see all the homeless people.  I loved seeing their smiles and happiness for a chance to tell "their story".  The children are so cute!  It was such and awesome experience.  If you need me again ask me and I would be more then glad to work there again and again!
Kate Chatfield

Monday, October 14, 2013

Carri's Birth Day

Happy Birthday Carri!

Carri just home from the hospital-boys decided to mask up

Happy Carri and mom

Carri Ann Jackson was born on October 14, 1964 in Ketchikan, Alaska, the fourth Jackson child.  We had been living in Anchorage, Alaska for only 3 months ( having moved there in January, 1964) when the Good Friday earthquake of '64 struck.  When the opportunity to move came along a couple of months later, and with a lot of aftershocks still happening, we were happy to move to Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska.  Ketchikan is a rock in the ocean at the tip of Southeast Alaska, not far from the Canadian border.  It rains a lot in Ketchikan, like all the time.  So Carri entered the world on a very stormy night, and she  came into the world ready for it!  And sister, Kellie, was so happy to have a sister as an ally because she had two brothers.  We lived in a two bedroom apartment on the top floor of a five story apartment building overlooking the water.  Since the bedrooms were already full, Carri's crib was set up in the corner of the living room.   The kids played under and around her all the time and she just slept on.  Maybe that is why she likes quiet so much now.  After about one and a half years we were moved from Ketchikan to Palmer, Alaska.  We had a log house with plenty of property so were able to have pets for the children.  Carri's pet was a lamb named Butch.  And Butch loved Carri and followed her everywhere, even into the house sometimes. He was Carri's best friend, especially when the big kids were at school.  It was very hard for Carri to leave Butch when we moved to the city.  Carri was always a very active child.  She loved sports and dancing and is still fun to be around.


The Hills Are Alive with the sound of....

Friday, October 11, 2013

Homecoming Parade in San Clemente

Lauren was in the Homecoming parade on Del Mar Street with the dance team.  Waving to mom on the side lines.


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

October 2013 News

Hi this is Kate.
I went on a  field trip on Friday.  It was a blast.  I got to feed and pet horses that people do gymnastics on and stuff like that.  It was awesome and the rain poured on us! We were drenched!!  But we did have an amazing time.  We had this dress up mid evil time show.  I wore a cloak with black and red snake hooks.  It was awesome.  Then we got to eat kettle corn, it was delicious! The next field trip is to a planetarium in Salt Lake in March or April.  Fun, fun!!!

This is my Reflections Entry for 2013.  I want to be a veterinarian one day.  Dr. D let me come take some fun pictures at his clinic in Springville.  I love animals, especially Maya.



September has brought many new things for our family.
Sarah started preschool and loves to go! Every day she asks, "Go to school?" Even on Saturdays. Sarah has a wonderful team of teachers who follow her closely and work with her to help her to improve and progress. Sarah likes to draw. Lately, bugs have been her favorite. We are trying to make progress with potty training. They usually don't allow food bribes in school, but Sarah is absolutely terrified of the bathroom, the loud flush of the toilet, the sinks that spray and the big overly-blue changing mat. They have allowed me to bring in chocolate chips to help with the transition.



Sarah also gets to do tumbling! We absolutely love Coach Ben. He has a group of nine three and four year old children and is able to keep them all on task. The class is very structured with free play, circle time (warm up and stretching), the circuit which is a bunch of mats and trampolines, parachute, and a fun cool down. I took David with us the first time. The coach was very nice to let him play at the beginning when all of the other children were playing. But then it was time to watch and he did NOT like that at all. He cried and pouted. I may sign him up for the next session. Since then, he has been staying home with Daddy.



I also have a new calling at church. I get to teach the six and seven year old children in Primary. To be honest, I'm having major Relief Society withdrawals. But it gets easier every week. And the children in my class are adorable! I have a set of twins that are squishy-cute and all of the children are so much fun.
I was able to attend the Relief Society broadcast at the home of one of the members last night. It was fabulous and I loved being with a bunch of women, again! We laughed a lot, had great soup, and watched the broadcast, which was super good. It was so nice to get out and be with other adults. One of the younger girls there had a scarf that she had made. We were all making a big deal out of it and one of the older ladies said she would teach us all how to make it. Today I showed up to church and she had bundles of the special yarn for a few of us and will teach us in an upcoming activity. So, I'm actually going to buy knitting needles. I know. Michelle does not knit or sew (I CAN do buttons if I have to) or anything domestic like that. But I'm going to learn. When I exclaimed, "Hey, I can do that!", I considered that this would be a good thing. And she's super patient, so I think this will turn out happy and not frustrating.
Friday night we had the missionaries over for dinner. It brought back memories from my own mission and we had a fantastic night. They were so cute with the kids and it was fun to have them in our home. When they showed up, they had on warm hats and coats. They said it was snowing in Granby. When it was time for them to go, we noticed it was snowing here! So we've had our first snow. It was melted by mid morning the next day, but it was fun to watch.
We are loving it here in Kremmling. It's a calming and healing place and I consider it a miracle that such a place even exists. But it does, and it's here! I love it here.  Michelle and Family 


Are You Ready For Some Football?! (to be over)

Will's football practice
Fall is officially here and we are enjoying the crisp weather.  School is in full swing and our lives have settled back into a routine.  A lot of our time seems to be taken up by football.  Scott is the high school freshman football coach.  He also helps with the varsity team.  That means he has practice everyday after school, freshman games on Thursdays and varsity games on Fridays.  Because the two teams trade off traveling to away games, he ends up traveling somewhere every week.  It has been a very time consuming schedule.  He enjoys it but is looking forward to when football season ends and he is not quite so busy (and the kids and I are looking forward to it as well!).  William is playing flag football and has practice or games most days of the week.  He has really had a lot of fun playing and guilty confessed to me that he likes playing football more than baseball :)  William and Adam are part of a bell choir that a woman in our ward started up for young children.  They will be performing Christmas songs for our December ward party.  I spend most of my time chasing energetic and curious Jacob around and then recuperating when he is sleeping. My calling in the ward is in cub scouts working with the wolves.  I feel like I am constantly surrounded by rambunctious boys!  But life is good and we are happy! Scott, Staci and Family 

Scott's German Chocolate birthday cake

Sister Reunion in Alaska...one more time!
Fall is here and the leaves are turning on the hills.  A very lovely sight.  Seems like our summer heat has left us and that is a happy thing, too.  I (mom) spent two weeks in Alaska with Sue and Gerry and we had a great time.  Of course we did the usual quilting thing, and the usual quilt shop hop, even down to Kenai and Soldotna.  Found two new shops in Anchorage.  One was just a tourist shop and the other has some potential.  But mostly we just enjoyed the hospitality of Gerry and Joe.  The only wildlife we saw was a possum at the side of the road.  Since the moose hunt was on part of the time we were there, we think all the moose were hiding.  It was interesting because at church when the bishop was making the announcements, he mentioned the the Owens brothers got the biggest moose this year.  Don't hear that down in the lower 48.  But it is always good to go to church and not wonder what will be going on.  The church is the same no matter where you are.  While in Alaska we had all the Alaska weather:  sun, wind, rain, snow and sleet.  Variety is wonderful.  On the way down to Soldotna we hit a snowstorm in the pass and Gerry just trucked on and when we got to Soldotna the sun was shining and it was beautiful.  It really is a beautiful country.  Mick (dad) stayed home and kept the house clean and the wash done.  The girls kept him in food and he looked good when I got home - healthy and all with the house shining and my car shining and filled with gas.  What a guy!  We are both healthy and doing well.  Mick keeps busy at the temple and I just keep busy.  We love our family so much and miss being able to hug everyone of you all the time.  Mom & Dad

Gerry's amazing work room

Road Kill Count
Connie's Excuse for not sending in a Chronicles entry!  
Connie was Asst. Director, Cierra had a small, but important part and Nate brilliantly played the role of the half-wit Ellard.  They all did a fantastic job...lots of laughter, lots of fun!



Stay tuned for the next play...Sweeney Todd.  In just a few weeks.

Ben was just recently featured in the San Clemente newsp
aper.  He's an amazing swimmer and water polo player. 

Ben Then...

Ben Now... 


Jake's big catch

Kate likes the goalie position

Kate taking a breather

Come Visit the Beautiful Northwest
The Pacific Northwest has enjoyed one of the warmest Septembers in history with temperatures in the low 90s and prolonged sunshine for much of the month.  That ended this weekend with 4 days of heavy rain that will eclipse the record for rainfall in September.  It has been fun adjusting to the new climate.  Christine has noticed more spiders per day then she ever did in Utah.  I rarely see them.
We have a Koi pond where we keep goldfish and 1 Koi.  One day we noticed the Koi wasn’t around.  We have not seen the Koi since.  The goldfish remain but as the Koi was so much larger we don’t think it was eaten by the others.  Christine initially thought it might have been a stork that dropped by for lunch but the current hypothesis is that there must be a raccoon who likes fish.  We have an electric fence designed to keep out such critters but found the fence disconnected.   Hmmm. 
Christine and I have decided to become cyclists.  We each try to ride daily, except in downpours.  I’m not sure Christine wears her helmet because of potential spiders in it but I always wear mine.  I even bought some padded shorts to save the sore prostate.  We are pretty cool.  We even recycle.
Christine is in the Relief Society presidency and has nearly daily presidency meetings so they can keep the ward running efficiently.  I have been invited to be the Teacher’s quorum adviser and am learning how to keep the young teenager’s interests. 
We miss our grandkids and their parents as well as our parents and brothers and sisters a lot.  We hope to return for Jet’s baptism in January and spend a few days.  Christine will probably stay longer as she is retired and misses the grandkids so much.  I thought she would get bored with retirement and sit around watching soap operas and eating bonbons all day, but she is surprisingly busy.  She does manage to make it to our local Walmart frequently, and has become quite domesticated as she has dinner waiting for me every night.    Love you all
Come visit!!
John and Christine

Hello all!
I am ashamed to say that I have never written on the Jackson Family Chronicle, but there is a first for everything right?
So, Carly and Taylor are in Junior High and loving it! They went to their first STOMP (fancy word for dance I guess)!!!  They both just got elected to be on Student Council and are very excited to decorate for their next Halloween STOMP :)

 Carly came up to me yesterday while we were decorating our house for Halloween and said, "Mom, will you teach Taylor and I how to slow dance?  I don't know how to and last time it was really awkward."  I thought about saying, good!  It will always be awkward, but replied, "Of course!" 

They both are getting so good at the piano!  It is fun to watch talents develop in my children.  It makes me so proud of them.
Spencer is loving 3rd grade.  He is such a good, smart boy!  He is such a gem to his little sisters.  He let's them have whatever they want, and plays with them so nicely!  He is a sweetie!
He just started Guitar lessons and is excited to become a Rockstar he says.  I made him promise to buy me a big beautiful house if he became famous.  He will go into his room and plug his guitar in and play as loud as he can.  The girls love it.  I don't mind the noise YET!
Sophie & London LOVE preschool and come home talking about Petey Porcupine and Tad Tiger.  It amazes me how fast children learn!!!
These two girls are a crack up!  They constantly bring smiles and giggles into our house!  Casey and I are truly blessed to have such sweet kids!!!!
Casey and I are staying busy with kids and Papa Murphy's.  Casey runs around to the stores making sure our managers are on their toes with operations.  I do a lot of marketing and get to go on TV every once in a while to locally promote Papa Murphy's.
I get to go on Fox 13 with Big Buddha tomorrow!  Wish me luck!
Love you guys tons,
The Kauers

(Editor's note--We've seen Jenny on TV often and we always excitedly say "Hey we know her!" Jenny certainly knows how to promote!)

See the full interview here



I totally forgot some other great stories.  Spencer turned 9 on Sept 15.  All of us girls were sick so we stayed home from church, but surprised him when he came in!


Sissies pile up on Spencer


He is also a bear now in scouts.  He completed 60 items during the certification period.  He is a hard worker!!! 

Carly, Spencer, & Casey went to a hunting expo in Farmington a couple of weeks ago and Carly was selected to go on a guided youth duck hunt with Casey.  Also Spencer won a child's 410 shotgun!  He was so elated.

Carly and Casey went on the duck hunt last weekend and she got two ducks!!!  The Sheriff came out and told her that everyone would be jealous that she got the one with the blue feathers one it's wings because they are fast buggers!



If you are wondering why I am not mentioning Taylor in any of these hunting stories, it's because, and I quote," I don't want to shoot animals!"  She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up!  :)


 We also enjoyed taking the kids to a family skate night for their school.  Sophie and London couldn't get enough of the scooter riding!!!