A Walk Down Memory Lane...

So I was bored online tonight and so I decided to look at our old family website. Mark had written a couple of "posts." I want to put them on our blog before they accidentally got erased.  The first post on how we met is one of the first things that Mark put on the website. He wrote this story for our entry into the "Almost Newlywed Game" that the Standard Examiner hosts twice a year (and yes, we won)! I am glad that Mark wrote it down so that we have it.  Life has been so crazy and busy ever since we met. We have now been married 4 years! We have a son that both of us never thought we would be so lucky to have as our own, and one more on the way. We are very blessed. Mark was recently gone this last week on a business trip, and it was such a long week! I just wanted to express my gratitude for him and his hard work. I wish that our routine was a little bit different at home, but having him gone made me realize that he helps me more than I know. I am glad that we met... How We Met

(The following story was published in the Ogden Standard Examiner Newspaper for a chance to be on the Almost-Newlywed Game.) A terrible noise had plagued my house for a week or so. I didn't realize what it was until one day my roommate said it was the new girl upstairs. Her '89 Dodge Caravan was the loudest thing on four wheels. I heard this girl many times before I actually saw her. But one day, backing out of my driveway to go to work, I caught a glimpse of her. She wasn't anything like I imagined. She was beautiful! She drove an uglier-than-sin minivan, but she was beautiful still the same! Go figure! Beautiful Girl When I pulled into work I was still thinking about the "minivan girl," when a coworker greeted me outside. "Hey, do you remember my babysitter I tried to set you up with six months ago and you turned me down," he said. "Yeah! (I hate getting set up, it's like someone saying, "Hey, you're pathetic, so I'll try and help you out." He continued, "Well, she just moved in above your apartment." Blue Steel "What?" I said. "Does she drive an uglier-than-sin minivan?" "I think so, but anyhow, she just got a job here." I have heard of fate, but instead of shaking my hand it was slapping me in the face. Was fate throwing this girl at me? As I sat pondering the irony, he interrupted, "Do you want me to set you up again?" I was hesitant. "No, I better do it this time." I said. Sure enough, the girl I met upstairs at work that day was the girl that drove the infamous minivan. Her name was Alison. I introduced myself and in a short time (after I got the courage), asked her out. Together The only way I can describe our first date was like walking into a memory. There was something familiar about every aspect of Alison and the entire night was filled with laughter and feelings of "good." Besides being a die-hard scrap-booker, Alison was my dream girl. I didn't tell her that night, but I knew I was done looking. After 27 years of living, I had finally met the girl I wanted to call my own. On February 26th, after five months of dating, I took her to Memory Grove in Salt Lake City to "do the deed". In my hand was a book and in my sock was the ring, (For hiding purposes). We walked around and then sat down together on a bench. I gave her the book which had three blank pages in it. One said "Family" one said "Laughter" and one said "Eternity." The fourth page said, "Mark Andrew Jenkins and Alison Paige Mellies were engaged at Memory Grove on February 26th, 2005." As she read that page, she became very quiet and I dropped a knee and pulled the ring out of my sock. I asked her if she would help me fill the pages of the scrapbook. Between the tears and the laughter she managed a "Yes." The End (Or in this case, The Beginning) We were standing in water here and our feet were freezing! Alison here... ok, yes. I drove an 89' Dodge Caravan during highschool until I bought my car in December of 2004. Not quite the stylin' car a single person wants to be driving around. BUT, it helped me to be able to pay for school, and save up to buy my own car. So even though I hated it at the time, I am grateful for that uglier-than-sin minivan. :)

This next little section on our first house was also written by Mark. I heard from different adults when I was growing up that they were thankful for the little apartments they had when they first got married and how they had to be really financially savvy. I am now one of those adults that feels the same way. Our apartment was a basement apartment and I had actually lived upstairs in the same house when I first moved out of my parents house. I only lived there for about two weeks because I found someplace else that would work out better for me. Mark and I met at work the day I moved out. It again seemed like fate.  It would have been extremely hard to have lived in the "same house" while dating. Needless to say, after we were married I moved back into the "Patterson house." This time however, I relocated to the basement with my new hubby. The apartment had no air conditioning and a very crappy heating system. So during the winter the space heater was my best friend and we also bought a portable swamp cooler for the summer, but it didn't really work that well. We loved our ward and were very sad to leave once we built our house. We had really good memories and many learning experiences in that apartment. I have to say that I am so grateful for our new house though.  Our First House: The Hole Even though this little basement apartment might be considered a ghetto shack, It was my home or as I like to call it, "my hole" for the 3 years. It resembles a bomb shelter as it is surrounded entirely by concrete. The Hole But don't let looks deceive you because it is the Hilton within. Actually, it's more like the Motel 6 but who cares... Inside it has the entry and closet, the living room, the kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and 1 full bath. Not bad for only $300 bucks a month! This allows Alison to cook more goodies and other delights... Ali cooking for me! In addition to the lush interior, the yard boasts other fine additions such as this lovely weeping willow in the back yard. At one time a swing hung from its branches. A perfect setting to push that special someone or a neighborhood youth. Backyard I moved into this house in October of 2003! I've been here since. I finished school here and Alison and I made it our starting hole, oops, I mean home. (We couldn't beat the rent.) Speaking of the rent, that also included high speed Internet connection, cable, and utilities. I found this place while I was searching for an apartment. Some girls who live above it recommended I stay there for a night while I look around. When I saw it, it was a wreck. The linoleum in the kitchen was covered in black streaks. But, the carpet looked new and I figured I might be able to strike a deal with the landlord. So, I called him up and he let me move in for $125 a month on the condition I got a roommate which would raise the rent to $250. I did so. My roommate and I helped put in cabinets and sink in the kitchen. My landlord let me borrow his fridge and a kitchen table. We acquired some hand-me down couches and tables and we were set. What a deal. 2 years later I met my wife and kicked my roommate out. When Ali moved in we upped the rent to $300 in consideration of the laundry being hooked up. All in all, the hole has been a blessing in my life. I will remember it with fondness. (sniff, sniff) We got our dog Jackson when our house was just finishing being built. We had wanted to get a dog earlier but our landlord said no. Thanks to our friends across the street they helped us keep him until our house was finished. We had originally wanted a yorkie puppy but while researching found a cute mixed yorkie and cocker spaniel. After that we were hooked on finding the same breed. I posted an ad on KSL and a few days later a lady from Salt Lake called and said she had two we choose from. We met and chose between Jackson and his brother. We chose Jackson because he kind of followed Mark around the parking lot and was really playful. He kind of chose us! Mark's coworker took Jackson's brother and named him Oreo. I get frustrated by Jackson a lot these days, but I am grateful for him. He taught Mark and I a lot when we first got him and he is Carter's buddy.  Jackson Ode to my Puppy: You are a puff of black and white. When you're around the world is right. Never leave and go astray. You like to chew, jump, and play. You look at me like I am God. It makes me feel good, is that odd? But nevermind, just be my friend. Lick my face till comes the end! - Mark Jenkins Jackson is a new breed called a Corkie: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 Yorkie. Jackson Jenkins Breed: Cocker + Yorkie = Corkie We got Jackson on September 29th. He is a cute little guy. He weighs 3 lbs. and was only 8 weeks when we picked him up. Happy Halloween Jackson's favorite things to do are play, snuggle, and sleep. Big Yawn We got Jackson a new kennel which we affectionately named "Jackson's Hole". Recently, we found out our nephews fit in it. Drew Shaffer fits inside Jackson's Hole! All in all, Jackson has brought us happiness since he waddled into our lives. We love him very much and hope he is with us for many years to come. Our little Jackson Mark's version of the day Carter was born: NEW BABY: Carter Mark Jenkins On February 22nd, 2008 at approximately 8:28am, our son was born. Details: Hair: Yes (Light Brown) Eyes: Blue Weight: 8 lbs. 13 oz. Length: 21 1/2 inches Cute: Yep Alison's water broke at 6am. We hurried to the hospital by 6:30 and Alison was dilated to an 8! We became quite the legend since this was our first baby and it is rare for first-time moms to walk in at that dilation. Anyway, we were rushed into the labor room and our doctor was called. My mother- Robin Elliott, Jean Decker (honorary camera-woman), Gary (Ali's dad), and of course myself were there. We started pushing before we knew it and we only went 4 rounds until our little guy was here. I went with him to the transition unit while doc and the nurses tended to Alison. He got his first bath and was inspected. He was given a perfect bill of health. Soon, we were together in post-partum again, this time, as a family. At this point we still hadn't decided on a name but we were leaning towards Carter. A short time later, we agreed on Carter Mark Jenkins. Carter is a very content and sweet little boy. Of course, as his parents we think he is the cutest baby ever, but we have been told this isn't just parent's bias. He really is adorable. I personally never get tired of looking at him... ;) We will have pictures here shortly as soon as we get home. Thanks to all family and friends who have sent gifts or chipped in during this time to make it more happy and easy. We love our new son, and we are so thankful to God for him.