Labor Day at Niagara Falls

We spent a wonderful day at Niagara Falls today. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time viewing the infinite rainbows over the falls. We rode the last Maid of the Mist ferry out, enjoyed Niagara's Fury, and had some pretty good candy from Pop & Lolly's. I can't wait to go back for the butterfly conservatory and botanical gardens. Afterwords, we stopped at Anchor Bar in Buffalo for some original buffalo wings. They were amazing! Here are some pictures:

A Peek Into My Heart

If there is one thing I could say that I am passionate about in life, it would be helping people with disabilities. I kinda stumbled upon this field and thought I would share my story.

My Sophmore year of high school I was taking Child Development I. When I walked into the room on the first day of class, I saw round tables with name tags at the seats. My teacher, whom I had never met, approached me and said that there was a student in the class who was in Special Education and this was her chance for "integration." Her name was Sarah Murphy. My teacher told me that I was going to be her partner throughout the class. I was a little shocked but definitely willing for the experience.

The semester I spent with Sarah was lifechanging. She helped me to see life in a completely different way. She loved the simple things in life and overcame her challenges. She showed such joy when she did something successfully and I felt the same joy as I helped her along. We bonded almost instantly and became great friends.

I started spending time in Sarah's Special Ed. class and ate lunch with her and her friends. A couple memories: When we went to the circus, a girl from Sarah's class was ecstatic that she was wearing lipstick. She thought she was beautiful and said that she only wears lipstick on special occasions. She also told me that she had a boyfriend at Summer camp and "even kissed him on the cheek!" On that same trip we were on the bus on our way home and Sarah said, "Isn't it beautiful?" She was talking about the rain drops on the window of the bus. Sarah's classmates LOVED the Special Olympics. What a special day... each competetor cheered for one another, no matter if they knew them or not. It didn't matter if the person ended in first or last place, they were just so happy that they were out there competing, crossing the finish line, and having fun. One day in our Child Development class, Sarah asked me to draw her a picture. So I drew her a house. Every day after that she insisted that I draw her a picture of a house and started dictating more things she wanted in the picture, like flowers and trees. I can't tell you how many pictures I drew. One assignment we had was to take home a bab doll. It had a computer chip and recorded how long the baby cried for. When the baby cried we had a key to insert and we had to hold it there for a period of time. We split the time with the baby so I had it some days/ nights and Sarah had it some days/ nights. She was so cute with the baby, cooing and cuddling with it as if it were real.

Sarah and her classmates all had such sweet, innocent spirits. I cherish every moment we had together.

When I moved the summer after my Sophmore year, my new school did not have a Special Education program so I wasn't active in the population for some time. When I was deciding on what college I was going to and what major I wanted to go in, I had decided on Special Education. Then, I got a letter in the mail from an OT student at University of the Sciences, Philadelphia who said she too had wanted to teach Special Ed. but discoverd Occupational Therapy. I researched it and knew it was for me! I could do so much more in this field and really change lives. You have to have a Master's Degree in OT in order to practice. Ithaca College was one of only a few colleges that had a continuing Bachelors/ Masters program, so I decided on IC.

When I moved to New York to attend IC, I needed a job. I stumbled upon the Arc of Schuyler on CareerBuilder. This was my most rewarding job. It didn't pay much, but the experiences I had were priceless and will stay with me forever. I helped adults with developmental disabilities in a group home. I know I loved that job, because I honestly would have done it for free. The individuals I helped were all unique with amazing personalities. Again, they enjoyed the simple things in life. I could sing "You are my sunshine" to a certain woman and see the biggest, happiest smile. When the dandlilions bloomed a certain man was as happy as could be as he ran around trying to pick all the dandlilions in the yard. Another man loved dogs and his mom gave him a lifesize stuffed yellow lab. When I made the dog give him kisses on the check, he giggled... one of the only things that could make him laugh.

Everytime I see someone with disabilities my heart breaks and I feel so much love for that person. I hope this doesn't come off as discriminating... there is just some sort of connection that I have with this population. Time and time again, I find myself in situations to spend time and be with individuals with disabilites. I have a deep testimony that these people are very special spirits, those who didn't need to prove themselves as much as I do, because they were more righteous. I also look forward to that day in heaven when I can see them again, as perfected, able beings.

It makes me so sad to hear the stories of people taking advantage of those with disabilties. Many people become caretakers of these people and collect Medicaid as compensation. Some people do it with great intentions, and others do not. There are too many cases of abuse. That is why I am seriously considering an additional degree in Social Work, so I can work as an advocate for people and make sure they are being treated well.

Below is a video I found on YouTube that gives a glimpse into Occupational Therapy.

A Cure For The Litter Box Blues

A week before we moved to our new apt, I bought an automated litter box for the cats. Mike and I are so bad at cleaning the regular box every day that we felt the cats deserved a little justice. They liked their new, clean bathroom and did just fine with it.

When we moved, however, our boy cat seemed partial to the carpet instead of his litter box. What was wrong? He didn't seem stressed, as he was purring all the time! He certainly knew where the litter box was because no matter what room we put it in, he chose the carpet right next to the box! After a brand new tray of litter, cat pheromone diffuser, entire can of Resolve, emergency checkup at the vets, and antibiotics, we were still hopeless. 

It was frustrating to say the least and this cat was burning a hole in our pocket to find the answer! So, as I was moving some things in the attic, I decided to bring down the old litter box and give it a try. I filled it up and put in right beside their new automated box. BINGO! Chase is now perfectly happy to use his old box. Man, wish I knew that before the spending spree. 

New Additions

In the last 3 days we have really been spoiled. Mike got his Madden NFL 09 game for our XBox 360  

Then, he needed a great tv for the Madden to look good on (Plus we decided to get cable). So we bought a Vizio 42" Plasma- with Mike's overtime money, of course.

And last but not least, Jen gets her Tony Romo jersey to cheer on her boys.

The Big Move

Today was a very busy day. We moved from our 1 bedroom apt to our new 3 bedroom apt, and it seemed like everything that could go wrong did. First, the truck we ordered was too small! We were supposed to load up in the morning with one crew of Elders Quorum and unload in the afternoon with another crew. But, when we discovered that not even half of the apt fit into the truck, the early crew had to load and unload.

While the men were first loading the truck, I went to the new apt do to the inspection. When our contact person said, "All I need is the money..." Oh no! I forgot all about the first and last month's rent. So, I had to juggle the money around and go to the bank for the cashier's check then back to the new apt. By then, the men were waiting for the keys to unlock the door to the new apt.

We knew that with our oversized furniture it wouldn't be easy to get it into the apt. But, I never thought that it actually wouldn't get in! The men in the morning tried so hard to get the couch in. So hard, in fact, that on our first day I had to tell my contact person at the rental agency that were were 2 freshly made holes in the wall at the top of the stairwell. So, that's it- the couch would not go in. The wonderful Price Family, however, have traded their couch with ours for the next two years, so that we did not have to sell ours and can take it back when they move. What lifesavers! I never thought I would be so attached to a piece of furniture...

  While I finished cleaning the old apt and taking the rest of the stuff over, Mike played in the championship games for Cornell Intramural Softball, where they won the championship. Go Stormin' Mormons! The Ithacan that Mike is, played the games barefoot (due to an infected toe).

Jen Turns 21

A couple of days before my birthday I thought, "So how does a Mormon celebrate their 21st?" Well, my creative husband knew the answer. Upon getting in the car from school, Mike had surprised with me a 6 pack... of IBC Root beer.

Then we went over to the Watson's for some games and ice cream. We had a great time playing Imaginiff and Ticket to Ride- in which we did surprisingly well even though the Watson's still kicked out butts.

To top it off, we had a softball game where the Sonntags brought yummy cupcakes. What a great day!

Happy Birthday Mike!

Since I would be gone on Mike's birthday, we celebrated a little early. The top of Mike's wish list would be either a PS3, Big Screen TV, or Dodge Challenger. Well, he will have to settle with the Bamboo Tablet (he doesn't know it, but this is to help with his homework too) and an arm full of DVDs. I asked him to show me which one's were on his list. Well, I just decided to get all of them and more :0)

My First Flat Tire

So I went to a scrapbooking retreat in the Poconos with Mike's mom. When I had first arrived, I realized I had just gotten a flat tire. Of course I know nothing about flat tires, so I park in a spot, going uphill. The flat came off just fine, but when we went to put on the new tire, the car would not raise high enough. The owner of the camp deflated the new tire, slid it on, and inflated it again. Whew! We had to use a secondary jack to lift the car even higher. My jack came out completely bent and no longer usable. Thus, I learned that when I have my second flat tire in life, PARK ON FLAT GROUND.

 The retreat was a lot of fun, nonetheless. I had a great time with my mother-in-law (on Mike's birthday :-P)

What have we been up to?

A couple of weeks ago was the Branch Temple Trip to the Palmyra Temple. I love going to the temple. The two weeks prior to that trip had to be the most stressful weeks I have had in a long time. It's so wonderful to go to the temple and be doing something for someone else who cannot do it for themselves. I forget everything that was going on in my life and get to spend a couple of hours in relaxation. I get to go about every other month and I always appreciate my experiences. Just this last time, there was a man, probably in his 40's who had been a member of the church for 26 years. This was the first time he had done baptisms for the dead. When he came out of the font after his last name, he was smiling ear to ear and you could tell he felt good about what he was doing. It was a sweet reminder of just how precious these ordinances are.


Well... I finally got my letter from Ithaca College, and have been accepted for the third time (hehe). So, even though we had our hearts set on moving back home, we have decided to stick around Ithaca for a while and get this degree finished once and for all. Needless to say, we are excited that I will be back again, full time. Now, we have to decide where we are going to live (we want to move closer to campus, to save gas, but not too close).

Mike has been working hard in his schooling too. He is liking this quarter a lot more, because it is only one class, and it is drawing (not writing essay responses). I must say, he's pretty good at it too. He tried to teach me to draw a 3-D staircase, and let's just say I got nowhere. I can appreciate those artists who can actually make something look decent.

I have had a few comments about this blog. My sister tells my mom "that's just like Jennifer... pink and purple." I have also been told I need to incorporate Mike and our cats into it. I guess I can spare a small corner for an Eagles logo (ugh how can I say that???). Updates to come with pictures of the cats. Whew! That was a long one! ~Jen

A very fun Easter weekend

We were able to go to Pennsylvania for Easter weekend. We hadn't been down there since Christmas and we were getting homesick. We had dinner and shakes with some friends on Saturday and had a HUGE Easter dinner at Mike's aunt's on Sunday. Poor me... I couldn't find any of my eggs in the Easter egg hunt, so everyone had to give me some helpful hints.

We didn't make it to church on Sunday. Every time we go down we pack our church clothes and set our alarms. Then, Sunday morning comes around and we think... do we really want to drive 45 minutes?!?! I know, it's no excuse. Unfortunately though, that would have been the only time we could have seen my family.

Anyway, work wasn't so bad today. I just have to take it one day at a time. Now I am just waiting to hear from Ithaca College if they are going to accept me back into the program. Most of me is hoping for a denial, so Mike and I have an excuse to move back to PA with our friends and family. Although, I do need to get my butt back in gear and get this degree once and for all.

Congrats to all of our friends who have had new additions to their families. Our prayers are with you and hope everyone is healthy and well.

Oh! My husband completed his first semester back in school. I have to brag that he got an A and a B! I am so proud of him. Not only have these grades been pretty much unheard of for him, but he did so well even being away from it for 3 years. Of course he got a reward, so now he has another PS2 game to distract him from studying :-P

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

I talked to my Customer Service Director last Thursday because we have hired a new CSR and I wanted to know how much longer until I am on third shift. I am told 6-8 weeks or sooner, depending on how quickly the new CSR trains and can take over my customers. I can't wait! I miss spending time with Mike. In the mean time, I have also applied for Night Audit at Holiday Inn. The only thing in the way is whether they can pay me what I need. It would be so nice to get out of the Printing business.

Bitten by the Flu Bug

We have both been sick with the Flu this past week. As one of us gets better, the other one gets hit with another round of illness. Gotta love the changing seasons!

Mike's in Massachusetts

Well, Mike just left and will be gone for a week. We have not been apart since a year an a half ago, so it will take some adjusting. I am sure he will have a good time, but he will be missed! Also, I will finally get motivated to start unpacking boxes and putting away Christmas decorations. On the positive side of things, I was promoted at work as a Customer Service Representative. I manage 6 accounts right now. It is fun, but very overwhelming. Most people start out helping someone else with their accounts and gradually get their own accounts one at a time. Also, they have all had much more printing experience than I have had. It is a lot of information that I had to learn in 4 days. I know I will screw something up, but hopefully it won't be a bomber.

Jen