Olivia

Dear Livi,
You were born one year ago today. At 8 lbs 8 oz and 20 inches long, you were a chunk... an adorable chunk. I'm not sure why you were so big, because your momma is not.You entered this world and immediately found a place in all of our hearts. Your unexplainable, pure love helped me get through some rough bumps in life. From the moment your eyes opened, you have curiously, innocently, enthusiastically observed this world. Your smile makes my heart melt. When I first held you, I couldn't believe I got to be your aunt. I am so lucky. You are a special spirit, and all who associate you can sense that the moment they lay eyes on you.
Although you only lived by us for about three months, we luckily got to Skype with you. You were so easy to get one of those big grins out of. You helped me smile more easily. You play peek-a-boo with us. It helps me learn to appreciate the small, simple things. When you visited us with your mommy and daddy on Christmas, we walked all around the house, with you grasping my fingers in your tiny hands. It was so much fun.
Thank you for your love for me and acceptance of me the way I am. You help me be a better person in countless ways. I love you so much. I am so lucky and proud to be your aunt. Happy first birthday, Livi-girl!
Love,
Aunt Jennifer

To My Oldest Niece

Dear Ruby,
You are now a two-year-old! I cannot believe it. I still remember going into the hospital at 5 a.m. to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and newborn niece. I remember holding you for the first time. You were such a beautiful baby, all 5 lbs 1 oz and 17 1/2 in. of you. You still are a beautiful girl.I remember the first time you grasped my finger. When you would smile at me and hold your head up. I remember coming home from a bad day a school, and seeing you at my house, smiling, waiting to greet me while your wonderful mom was at work. When I played with you, and I felt your unlimited love, I knew everything was going to be okay. You got me through those rough middle school days. You blessed me with your love, and you would let me feed you a bottle when no one else(besides your parents, but they were at work and school) could. That simple thing helped me get through hard times.You taught me to enjoy the little things in life. You saw the beauty in wind rustling the leaves on a tree. The delight in throwing rocks into water. The joy in watching birds fly. You taught me how to care for others, how to forgive them immediately when they messed up, and how to take care of kids. You taught me how to be a good aunt. You helped me be ready for when your delightful cousin Olivia was born. You taught me to value bubbles, flowers, jumping on the trampoline, so many things.You taught me to love life. You taught me to laugh at my mistakes. You taught me to laugh when trials happen. You taught me to be positive and to see the best in people. To smile. To love everyone. To share. To be inquisitive. To be a goofball once in a while.
I am so proud to be your Auntie Jenn. You are such a big girl, and you have so much joy and energy in you. Did you know your name means precious jewel? And that's what you are... a precious, precious, precious jewel. Thank you for loving me for who I am, mistakes included, and for helping me be a better person. I love you so much, Ruby-girl. Because you live in California, I relish talking to you on Skype and seeing your simple letters you write to us and make for us (with help of your mom, of course). Don't ever forget that I love you. So does everyone else who has the chance to know you. I love you. I love you so much. Thanks for being my spunky first niece.
Love,
Auntie Jenn

Me

Me
I am mountains.
I am big, leafy trees
and small ladybugs.
I am rushing river
and quiet snow.
I am scarlet leaves
and dark, starry nights.
I am majestic dragonflies
and simple flowers.
I am cloudless, hot days
and loud thunderstorms.
I am windy days
and grassy hills.

I am climbing trees.
I am snowball fights
and lightning bug hunts.
I am playing with dogs
and sleeping on trampolines.
I am running, jumping,
and dancing.
I am reading books
and building forts.
I am playing with friends
and solving puzzles.
I am playing games during thunderstorms
and singing babies to sleep.
I am watching movies
and being tucked into bed.
I am sleeping with stuffed animals
and jumping off the bridge.
I am family trips
and rafting down the river.
I am taking pictures
and skiing.
I am playing the piano
and rafting down rivers.
I am girl's camp
and hiking.
I am Personal Progress
and bicycling.

I am learning.
I am loving
and hurting.
I am laughing
and crying.
I am terrified
and safe.
I am awkward
and comfortable.
I am lost
and found.
I am courage
and sorrow.
I am kind
and rude.
I am gentle
and scared.
I am understanding
and confusion.
I am worry
and care-free.
I am patient
and angry.
I am insecurities
and joy.
I am happy
and devastated.
I am faith
and trust.

I am love.
I am the love of Christ
and the love of family.
I am motherly love
and brotherly love.
I am fatherly love
and sisterly love.
I am the love of brother-in-laws
and the love of sister-in-laws.
I am the love of nieces
and extended family.
I am the love of friends
and acquaintances.
I am the love of children
and neighbors.
I am the love of hot summer days
and cold winter nights.
I am the love of water
and fire.
I am the love of earth
and sky.
I am the love of plants
and animals.
I am the love of sunrises
and stormy days.
I am me.
I am a daughter of God
and of the House of Israel.
I am a Mia Maid
and a Zimbelman.
I will keep a smile on my face
and in my heart,
treat others the best I can,
and have a good day.

I will always remember,
keep it in mind,
and
NEVER
forget.

Thanksgiving Poetry

In honor of Thanksgiving, I decided to write these...

THANKFUL

The beauty of the earth, plants, water, skies...
Humbles me
As the bees buzz, flowers bloom, leaves change, I...
Never feel ungrateful
Kind words, deeds, and thoughts shine from family and friends...
Filling me with love
Under any stress, I know my family...
Loves me

FAMILY

GUARDIANS OF MY BODY AND SPIRIT
REACH FOR ME DURING RAIN, SNOW, OR SUNSHINE
ALWAYS MAKING SURE I AM SAFE, CALM, STRONG
THINKING OF MY NEEDS BEFORE THEIR OWN
INTERESTED IN MY SPIRIT'S WELLNESS
TRUSTING ME AND KEEPING ME CLOSE TO CHRIST
UNDERSTANDING WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH
DILLIGENTLY MOVING ME TOWARD MY GOAL
EXUDING ALL I WANT TO BE SOMEDAY

Thank you...

In Pieces

Gone are the girls,
With their fair hair in curls,
To far lands unknown,
Until they're more grown.
Gone are my nieces,
I'm broken in pieces,
Pieces residing in Illinois,
California, and Provo.
Gone is one brother,One brother-in-law,One sister,One sister-in-law,and

my two little nieces.
And I'm broken in pieces.

I'm in Love...

...again.





It all started at 8:45 p.m. on May 1, 2009, when I heard the high-pitched cry of a brand new baby. That's when I knew I was in love.

My heart swelled, and a foolish grin rose unbidden onto my face as I listened to the sound of my second niece entering this world.

At 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 19 inches long, Olivia was a quite a big, chubby baby. But the only person I can think of that can rival her cuteness is her cousin.

Photos are a curtosy of Christian. Thanks, CBZ!

Why does it keep snowing in April?

I wrote this last night, when we were still recieving the 12+ inches on the ground.
This is the second April in a row that it's snowed during, and the first that actually stuck!
You ready?

The sky is white with brewing clouds. The wind blows softly and the sky suddenly starts falling.

Slowly at first, but with undeniable certainty.

As time goes on, the whiteness falling from the sky turns fierce.
Great, big, beautiful flakes swirl to the earth at a frightening speed. The ground begins to mirror the sky as they build on each other.

The trees start to groan, reflecting the feelings inside the houses.

"Why does Winter have to pout?" the flowers wonder, just like the Provo people.
"It's our time to shine," the blossoms cry, mirroring their thoughts.
"After all," states the grass, having just been freed of the crushing weight of a Utahn winter, "it is the middle of April. Why can't Winter let Spring show its face?"


Today the skies are blue. I hope that means warmer weather.

Bring on the warmth!