Missionaries: Changing the World, One Person at a Time

My nephew Josh went to the MTC today, to prepare him for his mission to West Santiago, Chile- Tyson and I were really excited that Tim asked us to pick Josh up from the airport and drop him off, (they don't let families go in anymore- they just have you drop them off at the curb with a quick good bye- so they thought it would be best if Tyson and I just picked Josh up and took him there.)

We loved seeing Josh already set apart- he truly had the contenance of a missionary. We're really proud of him for being more than ready for his call!

After a few quick hugs, Josh was off walking into the MTC (with the two elders who were waiting at the curb for Josh to help him get all signed in). No tears, just excitement on Josh's face. I did my best to hide my emotions- and I must say, I don't think anyone had a clue that I was getting a little emotional.


AND, in 2 weeks, Tyson's brother Cody will be entering the MTC as well to prepare for his mission to Samoa. (Josh and Cody met each other at mine and Tyson's wedding two years ago-- so it'd be cool if they ran into each other by chance while they're there at the MTC.)
Cody gave his farewell talk a few weeks ago and already sounded like a return missionary. He's a great kid and will definitely be missed. We know that just like Josh, Cody is going to be a great asset to the mission. These are some pictures of Cody on the day of his farewell with his and Tyson's nieces. (Picture above: Seneca, Kendra----- Picture below: Trisha, and Paelyn)--- Those little girls are going to miss their uncle Cody!



We're so proud and excited for both of these fine young men- As Tyson says, Cody and Josh are both "going out to change the world . . . one person at a time."

Crystal Lake 2010

It's that time of year again: the annual Jones family vacation at our beloved Crystal Lake, (in Northern Michigan). A quick run-down of the stats:

Weather: beautiful

Food: abundant and delicious

Week-long local fitness center membership: too expensive, but purchased anyway

Trips to look at local real-estate: multiple

Effect on local branch: we doubled it that Sunday

Number of Jones family members who bore testimony: 3 grandkids, 4 adults

Number of children Dad forgot to introduce as his own: 1 (that would be me)

Number of family members who read Stephanie Meyer's latest mini novel during the week: 5

Number of nights where dessert was served: every night!!

How fast the week went by: Way too fast

Emily and Gracie with their skirt/bag combo that Mimi helped them sewThe Ladies Lunch at a new cafe in Frankfort: Dinghy's- it tasted a lot better than the name

Highlight of the week: Trevor's Ordination- (left to right: Jim, Mike & Trevor, Jared, Ben, Dad)

One of the many signs on the wall that we liked at Papano's Pizza

Jared, Matt, Jim, Mindy

Rachel and Dad on the way to Papano's Pizza

Mom, Dad, me, Ben

Walker Family Home Evening

Once a month, Tyson and I get together with his side of the family, (since a lot of them live here in Utah) for Family Home Evening. Here are a few pictures from our last visit together.

Tyson's sister Tori with his neice, Paelyn * * * Seneca, Tyson, Kendra


Paelyn, me, Seneca (they're sisters) * * * Diane, (Tyson's mom) and Paelyn

Spring Break in Austin!

Tyson Walker, Tyson Jones (Brent's son), me, and Avery

For spring break this year, Tyson and I visited my brother Brent, his wife Paige, and their three children in Austin, Texas. Tyson literally met Brent on the day we were sealed in the temple- and due to a variety of circumstances, Tyson hasn't seen them again since our wedding day. We had a fantastic time- between Easter, a beautiful hike, Conference Weekend, Avery's 3rd birthday, authentic Texan BBQ, perfect weather, Mario Cart, and a tour of the University of Texas, (the Longhorns) . . . it was quite the weekend. Thanks again Brent and Paige for being so generous to help us fly out there. We loved it!

Avery, Payton, and Paige at Rudy's. * * * * * * Avery, Paige, Tyson (Jones) and Brent
They say in Texas that the best restaurants are found at a gas station- such is the case with Rudy's. The food is served to you not on plates, but on butcher's paper. Easy clean up.


This is Tyson Jones feeding the turtles at the University of Texas campus. There's a turtle pond right on the main campus- pretty cool. In the other picture, Brent and "my Tyson" (Tyson Walker) are pushing Avery up the stairs in her stroller. Brent kept referring to Avery as "Princess Avery" since she got pushed and carried everywhere we went that day.




This is a picture of their latest edition- Payton. She has got to be one the best-behaved babies I have ever seen. She smiled ALL the time- and was so content to sit and watch everyone. I wanted to pick her up and hold her the whole time I was there. :0)

One of the Many Goals I have . . .

. . . is to be able to carry my husband on my back . . . for the rest of my life.
I had a pretty serious back injury a few years ago, (herniated disc). It was definitely a painful experience, but much harder to deal with than the pain of it all, was the simple fact that I couldn't freely run around on a basketball court when I felt like it, or go to the gym and lift weights, or wrestle around with my nieces and nephews, or give someone larger than myself, (such as my husband) a piggy back ride. (And quite honestly, I think Tyson would have been disappointed if for the rest of our marriage, he couldn't horseplay around with me, or play me in one-on-one basketball for fear of me getting hurt or breaking a nail.) Okay, I'll admit, Tyson is significantly heavier and stronger than I will ever be :0) therefore, carrying him on my back never lasts very long . . .but the fact is, I know it will be a sad day when I can no longer do that at all. So, I've decided that day must simply never come. From here on, I am going to request that Tyson allow me to give him a piggy back ride every now and then. I figure if I do that often enough for the rest of our life, there will never be a day when I can't lift him on my back and take a few steps, right? So there you have it-- one of my many life goals. . . .
You think I'm kidding, don't you?

Jackson Hole

Tyson and I took these pictures when we went to Jackson Hole this summer with some friends, (I just found them the other day). We both had so much fun up there. We went white water rafting, but the water was so cold that we had to buy full piece wetsuits. That was quite the site, let me tell ya! I'll spare you the pics from that portion of the weekend, though. One thing about being married to a boy who grew up in Vernal, UT- I have really come to appreciate nature so much more.


This is our "contemplating nature pose"


picture of the ladies on the morning hike

There IS such a thing as a dumb question . . . .

Okay, so I have to admit, there are days when my patience wanes "a little" with my students at school. This past Friday was one of those days. One theme that the kids are CONSTANTLY taught in the school district, (especially at the elementary level) is that "there is no such thing as a dumb question". In fact, this is ingrained in their minds.

Well, on this particular Friday, my health class was rather hyper and were consequently struggling to remain serious as we discussed the effects of alcohol on the body. I showed the class a quick clip from a documentary. When I asked if there were any questions, the boys kept raising their hands to ask questions that had absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand and everything to do with showing off for their peers, (such as "Hey Ms. JJ- why does that kid in the movie have eyebrows that look like that?"). I finally looked at them and said in a mostly joking, (but with a touch of exasperation) "Okay, that's enough. NO more dumb questions!"

With that, to my surprise, SHOCK poured all over their faces-- a pin drop could have been heard in the room, (which doesn't happen all that often). I think they were all taken back by the 'blasphemy' I had just spoken.

In response to this I defensively added (with a smile of course), "Oh come on! Whoever said there is no such thing as a dumb question has obviously never taught 7th graders . . especially you guys!" The entire class burst out laughing at this. I continued, "So pick your self-esteem up off the floor- you're alright." We were all laughing by that time- since they knew that they were all being obnoxious. I imagine if the administration walked in at that moment, I might have had my job on the line. LOL- good times.

Sometimes I feel that we get so concerned about "hurting" a kid's self esteem, (especially in the public school system) in fear of being 'politically incorrect' that we might become a little super sensitive-- when in the long run, being able to genuinely joke around with teenagers and even tease them occasionally might be the best thing we can do for their self-esteem. Plus, if a teenager knows you will uphold consistent boundaries, I think they feel more confidence and have stronger characters. That's just my opinion though---