I remember when.....

Tomorrow is November 23rd - this is a day that passes by each year with so many mixed emotions, (Big Jake's birthday)! Each year I think about how old Jake would be...just two years older than me and then I think about how long I have been missing him for. I just have to add 9 months and three days onto my little Jake's age to realize that I have been missing him for too long. We are so thankful that "Big Jake" sent down our little guy to love and remember him by. You see Jake and Rand were great friends and we loved so many things about Uncle Jake. He was hilarious, full of energy, an athlete, great hunter, fishermen and horsemen. Most of all he was a good person, a good friend and a great dad. We knew that our little guy was going to be a wonderful person and needed a strong name like "Jake". Through our little guy, Jake's legacy can be remembered and we will always be proud to have two Jake's in our family! This year I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend with Jaidon (Jake's son). His personality and his huge smile ease the sadness I feel when I miss Jake. Jaidon just turned 16 yrs old and is a little hotty, not to mention one of the best kids I know. He has a heart of gold and would do anything to help one of us girls (Ali, Brooke and me) out. Remind you of anyone?????????

Now, I have never asked much of you blog readers out there but this year I need a little help. I want to try something different. I usually write a little tribute to my brother in my journal each year but this year I want to create a few new memories of him. I am asking you (if anyone reads this) to write down a memory you have of Jake or email me a picture that you might have. After spending time with Jaidon this weekend I thought he might enjoy reading these memories. Hopefully one of you out there will have a new picture of him that I have not seen.

Here is my memory, chosen from a list of many!

After I came home from my mission I moved up to Salt Lake. Jake was there for anything I needed. Many times he went out of his way to help me fix my car (or just assure me that my car was fine, it would just save him a lot of time if I would remember to put gas in it). Jake always put family first..one night I remember he had received some tickets to a Jazz game. He could have taken a date or any of his guy friends (who would probably have watched the game and not just stared at the Jazz Players Wives to see what they were wearing), but he decided to invite his two little sisters instead. The night started something like this. First of all we were all broke so we decided to stop at the store for treats so we didn't have to buy them in the game. 2nd Jake was having some stomach issue that Ali and I were aware of simply by the smells reeking out of him every few minutes. When we got to the game we realized no one had brought a bag or a purse so we made Ali (the little sister - Brooke be happy you were not there), well we made Ali wear the bag around her neck under her "vest" and Jake snuck the Pepto in his pocket. ----See display picture below.
(Remember back then we did not have a digital camera and I pretty much chopped everyone's head off in every picture.)

We had a great night but with Jake any night was going to be fun. Lots of laughs were shared and I even watched a few minutes of the game.

It's my blog so I am going to share two memories. When I think about Jake my next immediate thought is about Jaidon. Jake loved this little guy more than anything and I know that he still watches over him.

I miss you and love you Jake, thank you for so many memories!