In Utah this week; the weather is GREAT!

Hi Mom, Hi Woody,

How are you doing? Well, this week, there have been a few things I wanted to share with you about our lives. Starting about Tuesday, Kennedy and Leo decided to role-play “Grandma.” I will try to get this on video, but it hardly ever seems to work when I turn on the video camera or any camera—the kids stop what they are doing! So to paint the picture, imagine Kennedy in her room as Grandma while Leo opens the door and says, “Grandma! Hi!” Kennedy says, “Hi Leo! Hi Kennedy! How are my grandkids? I have fruit snacks for you! I love you so much!” Leo jumps up and down, exclaiming, “Yaye!” They hug, and they pretend that they are eating fruit snacks. A few minutes later, they switch roles. It is the cutest little re-enactment to me. What an impression you have made in their little minds of the love you have for them!

Anyway, with all of that, and the shop not doing as well as we’d like, we’ve been praying and pondering a lot about our budget and finances. We have decided to pursue selling the ski house in Utah, and even though it really made me sad (and mad for a while, of course), right before bed last night, I was reminded to count my blessings. Things aren’t easy as I would like, or clean like I want, or even manageable it seems sometimes, but one thing that has been constant is that Owen and I genuinely love and respect each other and want the best for each other and our kids. Our family has had relatively good health and I have been so fortunate to be expecting our third and be at home with Kennedy and Leo for the last 2 years, and for these things, I am SO grateful. I love them so much, and I cherish the time I have with them. The other thing I feel so grateful for is to have married into such a great family—I have such stellar in-laws! But to let you know, we have been learning to be more self-sufficient more than ever before (I just got a Stake cookbook that Owen really likes a lot of the meals from, we are building up and using our food storage, my mom will come out and help with a winter garden), and to be more creative with date nights and time for each other.

Well, I probably won’t be writing until next week or a bit later. We are in Salt Lake and I’ll be working the long days all week. I’m excited to see a lot of my families this week because a lot of them are from 2 years ago and I always like seeing the growth and changes in these families when I have worked with them for so long. There are also supposed to be some big research advancements by the end of the year, so if I can get all these patients’ blood and data, we are hoping to make some new discoveries. Owen will get to spend more time with the kids than he usually does, and he will also get to relax, play some golf, and re-evaluate things with Mark. We are really so blessed to have such good people in our lives. I’m also excited to meet up with some of our other friends from Utah because we really did make some good friends up there. Anyway, take care, we love you, and we send you lots of hugs and kisses.

All is well on the home front (besides the 116 degree heat!).
Jeannie, Owen, Kennedy & Leo

P.S. Some names that have come to mind for the baby: Davis Wayne Farnsworth or Parker Wayne Farnsworth. Wayne is my dad’s English version of his middle name, which is actually Wing. I didn’t dislike Stan or Stanley but Wayne sounded good to me as a middle name. The first name has been a bit tougher and we aren’t settled on either of those yet, but they’re two that we have come up with; Kennedy thinks that his name should be Leo Joy Farnsworth for Leo and her instead. ☺

RE: Take Care

Hi Mom,

Well, I certainly didn't mean for an entire week to go by without an email but I have been so busy with work! I'm just trying to be prepared for my week up in SLC. We leave Fri night and I will work my 6 long days and probably won't be back until Nov or Dec, if at all this year. Owen will take a vacation (finally) and play golf and hang out with friends. He'll watch the kids for a half day or so everyday, too. I hope he doesn't worry about the shop too much. June was a bad month for the shop, so he's been hard on himself.

Anyway, thanks for your encouraging words of gratitude for being a part of the family. You have always made me feel so a part of it, and I am really proud to have you as my mother-in-law. I'm also really proud of you on your mission and people in the ward always ask about you, Woody, and your mission. How is it going? Are you keeping all the rules? Kim said that sometimes it's hard for you to tell the members of the ward "no" but you can always use the statement that it's the mission rules. Just a thought. Kennedy and Leo tell me almost everyday that they can't wait to be 6 and 4 years old to see Grandma and Papa Woody again. They really do love and miss you both so much! Kennedy learned about her "family tree" in Sunbeams today, and she was so proud of her tree, and she even mentioned it in her prayers that she really liked her family tree. On Friday, Owen was just feeling crummy about life in general and was apologizing to her for not being a very good dad. Her response was, "It's ok Dad, accidents happen!" :) Owen was reminded today how much both kids love him for who he is, a great dad. This was after he was chasing them around or having them chase HIM around the house. They love that physical playtime that I find hard to muster up the energy for these days.

And yes, with the warmer weather, I wonder how women get through pregnancy in AZ! I find myself swimming a lot with the kids. In fact, Kennedy is now an official swimmer without the use of floaties and can take deep breaths from one end of the pool to the next, just streamlining it! She took 2 weeks of lessons, didn't pass that course, so I took a 2 week break to work with her at home (she would swim 3-4 times a day for 45 mins to an hour each, Mom!) and when she started the lessons again last week, she was a different kid. She is SOO confident, and she REALLY loves it. Her ice-skating, dance and even art classes aren't as fun for her as swim. Leo, on the other hand, daredevil as he is, just doesn't really like it or just can't seem to pay enough attention to listen to the instructions all the way through to do what he is supposed to...

So... I am glad that you have had a chance to look at the blog. Like I said, you can post things yourself or just email me and I'll post for you. I'm sure that any young missionary there can show you the Permissions under Settings so that you can view who is invited to read and/or write on the blog. I made it private and only open for those invited to be able to view it. In the long run, this should be a great way to record all your mission "adventures!"

Last thing, I have an appointment to see my OB this week. We had an ultrasound done in June that indicated some potential abnormal heart thickness that might predict that the baby has Down Syndrome. We will be doing another ultrasound soon (likely this week or right when we get back from SLC), so we are praying that his heart is just fine. He also has some cysts in his brain but both Kennedy and Leo did too, and they resolved later. It must be the way my body grows these babies--I don't know. So, just keep us in your prayers that the baby will be just fine and healthy. For about 2 weeks, I was really worried, but after a lot of praying and pondering, we feel pretty at peace that everything will be just fine. No use worrying, right?!

Well, we love you, miss you, and we wish you happy early birthday! Kim said that you should get your Vonage phone this week or next (probably next).

Love,
Jeannie, Owen, Kennedy, Leo and we-can't-think-of-a-name-for-the-baby-yet

Take Care

Hi Jeannie,

Thanks for all you do and have done for us in the Farnsworth Family. I'm so glad you are one of us!
I'm glad you went to Snowflake and had a good time. I hope Kristi & Mike are doing better and the kids are OK.

I just got on the Blog and did see what you have done it was special to see and read what Jack put on it I got on and created an account but with my cox e-mail account. lindasue@cox.net with the password being lindasue10 I was on but when I went to get on to do something It said one and it had Google and some other signs and I couldn't get any farther.

I think my gmail account is
Screen name is XXXXXXXXXXXXX [X'ed by Jeannie for privacy]
Password XXXXXXXX [X'ed by Jeannie for privacy]
Password Hint: Who is your favorite singer George Strait

I have never used it, not sure how to get to gmail, but I know Chuck & Scott O'Dell set me up with one and this as the info. Call Chuck 480-XXXXXXX [X'ed by Jeannie for privacy] Chuck will know I think if he remembers the last night at Bonnie's house. I will keep trying to see what happens

Jeannie you must be getting bigger and with the heat in Tempe Please take it easy. Is everything going OK so far. I feel bad this is the first time I won't be there for you when the Baby comes. I hope all will go well and everything will be OK. I will be sorry to miss it.

Love you always
Kids the kids for me
Love Owen and take care of yourself
Love Mom & Grandpa Woody

YES WE ARE HERE

Yes, we are hear. In George, South Africa. I always knew I would make it to George some day and here I am. Well not George Strigh but George S A 

Jeannie I have had a hard time getting e-mails to go through and if I ad a lot of addresses it doesn't go through at all. I'm not sure why so I have just been sending them to only one member of the family and since Owens' is in the "K" He has been getting the E-mail I will send them to you from now on. 

It is Saturday about noon your time and 8:30pm our time there is 9 hours difference It is Saturday night and we are going to bed and you are just getting started. 

I loved the not about what Kennedy & Leo said about me and our mission I do miss the kids soooooo much. Kiss them for me and tell them how much I love them and miss them. 

About the roast Yes it is a cross rib roast. Brown it on both sides with a small about of spray or oil. Then I salt, pepper & add Lowreys (sp) Season all salt Then I cut up and onion and slice it them and put on top of the roast Then I put 1 can of Campbell beef consomme over the roast .. Now put a lid on the pan put in the over at about 300 for 4 hours or 350 for 3 or 31/2 hours or if you want it to cook for 4 or 5 hours put it on 250. But check it about ever 2 hours to make sure it doesn't get too dry if so add water to keep the juice on it cook until it is tinder and falls apart. 

Give this to Owen. Hi from Africa. I just want you to know how much I love you and thank you for being such a GREAT Son and a good Father and Husband. Always know how much you mean to me and I always look up to you for all you have done in your life so far and for what you will keep doing. Remember who you are and what the real reason we are hear. I'm always hear for you and your sweet family. Take care until we see each other in 21 more months. 

LOVE YOU ALWAYS MOM

Are you There?

Hi Mom,

Are you there?  I have heard about the email you sent, but I haven't gotten it myself.  Owen keeps saying he will forward it to me, but I haven't read it myself.  Kim and Pam have told me about it.  I hope you are doing good.  About 2 weeks ago, Leo cried for about 10 mins, throwing a temper tantrum that he wanted to go see grandma and that we needed to go to Mytah (he calls Utah, "Mytah" thinking it's You-Tah and changes it to My-Tah--I don't know why--can't decide if it's really smart or not).  He begged, cried, and then fell asleep with tears streaming down his face.  I couldn't explain to him how far away you were and that we couldn't drive over to see you.

Anyway, and today, Kennedy was telling her friend that she was going to Africa to see Grandma so that she could deliver a very important package (we've been making lots of projects and putting them in a care package for you) but that she couldn't go until she was 6 and that was only in 2 years (I think she thinks that is a very short time).  When asked why her grandma was in Africa, she said that there are people who don't know Jesus so Grandma is there showing them pictures of Jesus.  Isn't that sweet?

So obviously we all miss you very much.  I know you are doing good, and I know that all of us are very blessed by your service.  So much so that your son has requested that I somehow track down your roast recipe (all I can recall is cross rib roast, seared, and cooked on low temperatures all day.  I have no idea to ingredients...) for Father's Day dinner.  Of course, it wasn't until tonight when I cornered him to see what he wanted for dinner so that I could buy the food tomorrow.  So if you get this in time, and you have time to jot down the recipe, that would be great.  I understand if it's too late.  I'm going to call Kristi to see if she can help me.

I love you very much, and you are in my prayers constantly.

Love,

Jeannie

Sunday Message

HI Owen,Jeannie, Kennedy & Leo.

Just a not to thank you for your sweet notes and tell you how much you are Loved and Missed. We start our week again tomorrow to day has been nice we have done something different. That is a good thing. I always Love Sundays because they are different then all the rest. 

Know that you are Loved and Missed Mon & Grandpa Wood

To Mom from Jeannie (before reporting to the Mission Home)

Dear Mom,

I am writing this letter for you because I wanted to let you know how much I love you.  I have had some things I wanted to share with you, and I haven't taken the time to do so.  For this, I am sorry.  I hope that when you have moments of missing home, that you can look at letters like this one, that will uplift you and encourage you, and allow you to remember how loved you are.  
 
You make people laugh and smile.  You have a gift for bringing people together.  People are comfortable around you, and I hope that all those you come into contact in Africa, will also know and feel of your love for the Savior through these amazing qualities.  
 
You have been my surrogate mother when I married Owen.  I don't know if you have fully realized it, but it dawned on me when I gave birth to Leo, how much I needed you.  I have never turned to anyone like I have turned to you.  I think that I have always wanted a mother like you, and when I met you and have known you since my marriage to Owen, you have been what I have always wanted.  Perhaps you didn't know how much I have needed you through the births of Kennedy and Leo, and our many, many moves to many, many different homes.  I know how mad or disappointed you might have been with my disorganization at these times, but I hope you know how disoriented I was at those times and still needed you.  I put away any pride and completely surrendered my hopeless self to you.
 
I hope you can know that I love my mother here on earth, but she doesn't have a lot of the ideal characteristics I have looked up to.  I find these in you.  I hope that those you surround your love with, will know to look to you as a guide and as an example too.  You are a very caring mother and grandmother, and you are grateful for your family.  Despite the many hardships, trials, tribulations and sorrows, you have remained strong in the gospel.  You have not waivered nor have you left altogether.  I hope that no matter what happens in Africa or here at home, you will continue to stay strong.  We all need your example.
 
There is no doubt how missed you will be at home.  But there is no "good" time to serve the Lord, so we all just do it.  After all, He does come first, right?  I know that we will all be blessed by your service and loyalty to the gospel.  So I thank you for serving our Lord and Savior.  I thank you for being the best example of a mother and grandmother anyone could ever hope for, wish for, or dream for.  I love you with all my heart.  And I will miss you so much.
 
Love,
Jeannie