Our first is 40!!!

Jennifer was a delightful first child. She was almost immediately socially responsive, spoke her first word at 5 months, walked at 8 1/2 months and was loquacious at one year. She had an early fascination for books, and was reading when she went to school a year early. Books would be her recourse when she was ahead of her classmates (and even sometimes her teachers) for years to come. With so many books to read, I was concerned when she would reread some over and over, but the Gifted and Talented teacher assured me that reading a book once was just to get the "story line" whereas rereading a book was a way of learning how to write. It certainly worked for Jen--she, like her father, is definitely a wordsmith. Jennifer has always been a person of great energy, directness and creativity. She was a person who knew her own mind and took charge of her own life. Being raised in a large family she helped to fill her own needs by doing a paper route and working at an upscale furniture store. With deliberation she chose her friends and her activities in school. While being inclusive and considerate of everyone she was not fetoured by those who would take a wrong course. She set the example for her siblings by charting her life to include a mission, college, graduate school and service to family, church and community. Jen always makes family gatherings interesting and fun with her bright mind, her clever wit, her organizational skills and her indefatigable drive. We love her a lot--but what's not to love? Mom and Dad

Jen on Jen

What I love about Jen in no particular order:
- We both hail from the "Jennifer" era, and it's an awesome name :)
- She says things like "I can't sew" and "I'm no Martha Stewart" and then proceeds to make umpteen adorable hand sewn Christmas cards, maple leaf wreaths, mini individual bundt cakes to give away at Christmas, etc. etc.
- She throws awesome birthday parties for her kids and will offer to throw one for mine when I'm at least two weeks late and can't seem to get my act together.
- She is almost as cozy with the White Hen guys as I am. (By the way, great poem Lisa S.)
- She throws her dirty diapers outside for all to see. (By the way, another great poem Lisa S.)
- She says things like "that was the pre-twin Jen" when we all know she is just as amazing if not more so post-twin.
- She is an expert on and actually likes 15th and 16th century Italian religious paintings.
- She is an ardent BYU supporter.
- She has a great appreciation for BBC miniseries.
- My girls say they never get tired of her teaching or listening to her speak and also include her on their list of favorite people.
- She has super awesome kids. (Her husband is pretty awesome too).
- She regularly holds down at least two ward callings and handles them expertly.
- She manages to keep up on the details of my life and makes me feel good by asking about them.
- Her kids listen to NPR with her, but she also lets them play with toy weapons of various shapes and sizes.
- She's always willing to help out a friend in need.
Thanks for being a great friend Jen! You're an awesome 40!

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

Jennifer-

YOU ARE AMAZING!

I love you dearly. You have not only been my older sister, you have been my confidant, my advisor, my life-planner, my advocate, and my friend. Your sense of humor makes me laugh. Your adventurous spirit inspires me to travel the world and have good experiences. Your frequent requests for me to visit your family in Boston has enriched my life and provided wonderful memories for me. Your abilities to sense my sadness and distress and to immediately settle my disappointed heart is uncanny. Your dispensed counsel has been invaluable. You are a woman of great wisdom and knowledge.

My heart is full. I am grateful for your 40 years of life. In those 40 years, you have touched my life and the lives of everyone around you. You have a special way of appreciating people, of recognizing their strengths, of sensing people's needs and filling them, of instilling energy and enthusiasm into life's moments, of sharing your bounty with others and of teaching people through your example. My life and the lives of your friends and acquaintances are richly blessed through you and your sweet offerings on our behalf.

I love you! I love you! I love you!

-Elizabeth

128 Hillside Road

Happy 40th birthday to our dear Watertown housemate of 3 years. Living above, or rather, "with" Jen and Mike were some of the funnest and most entertaining years we've had in Boston. There was always someone to talk to, laugh with, complain to, or babysit for. Joe and I loved getting calls to come downstairs and share homemade Sunday night goodies. We loved being invited down on Sundays for fabulous pasta dinners. We loved listening for the squeals of one Thomas 18-month old to be returned by one Apke 1 year old while playing a floor apart. I loved being able to run down the stairs and have Jen tell me which shoes to wear. I loved having Jen call while at the grocery store to see if we needed a gallon of milk. We loved Jen sneaking upstairs to watch "Friends" with us...sorry Mike, the secret's out. We loved sharing Thanksgiving dinner (and still do), and breakfast on Christmas morning in our pajamas. I loved having Jen as my new-mother-mentor and having her help me with some of those new-mom things that none of you want to know about or should ever read in this forum. I loved that we could cry all during our last dinner together under the same roof and it was all ok. I love that we are still dear friends, our boys still love each other, and we make an effort to all get together. I love Jen reminding me that "smart and sturdy" is the way to go - (I was going to save that for the "adjectives" section of the blog, but it seemed to fit nicely here). I love that one day, we'll take one of the many planned Thomas/Apke vacations we've talked about for 8 years. We love you Jen!!!

Steve and I met Jen and Mike when they first arrived in the Boston area. We both were so drawn to their goodness and bright minds and loving hearts. No one is as fun to talk to and learn from as they are! We quickly adopted them as our own children.
We remember their little apartment near Watertown Square. We loved going there to enjoy Jen's unbelievable pasta dinners. Jen was always trying to do 100 things at a time and we always felt like she should be sitting down in our kitchen watching us prepare the meal with her feet up. That little apartment was homey and welcoming and was always a joy to visit.
We asked Jen and Mike to be our counselors in the Stake YM and YW's organizations. Even when Jen had worked all day and was exhausted, she was always eager and willing to drive out to Costco to get needed supplies for the stake youth when we were making dinners for them for their weekly From Cumorah's Hill rehearsals. We had so much fun feeding those kids each week after their singing. We quickly learned that Jen and Mike could always be counted on for whatever the need was.
Then Jen got pregnant with Walter and then Will. Those were happy times watching her mother those bright and lively little boys. Little did she know that there were going to be more challenging times ahead! When Henry and Owen were born life for Jen was something to behold! Jen always handled the exhaustion and confusion so well, but as her friends, we knew how difficult life had become.
Through all the sons born, church callings, helping friends and family, BYU Alumni events, and involvement with the boys' schools, Jen has taught us all how to be gracious, loving, interesting, and interested in everything around her. What an unbelievable example and role model she has been to these two adopted parents of hers. We love you Jen and are so proud of the woman you have always been and somehow you are even getting better as you age. We only wish we weren't a continent and an ocean away from you and your little family. Happy 40th birthday. May you have 40 or 50 more just as happy!
Steve and Margaret Wheelwright

Our Art Guide

I will never forget the Relief Society night at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Several of the husbands snuck into the tour that Jen gave to the whole group that night--organized, thoughtful, informed, and inspired. Jen was a master and helped all of us appreciate the museum and especially the Italian art on display. What an amazing mind.

I also will always cherish our time together serving the youth of the Boston Stake. Jen, you are one of the most creative, committed, and capable friends I have. Happy birthday!

Love, Clark

Happy Birthday Jen!

I feel very honored to be counted as one of your friends, Jen. For the past 6 years, I have enjoyed getting to know you and your sweet boys and kind husband. Of course, I miss having you in our ward and getting to see you on a regular basis, but I look forward to the times that our paths do cross (BYU Alumni functions, Weston II reunions, 40th birthday parties!) I admire your strength and fortitude of character and think you are an amazing woman and mother. Happy 40th Birthday friend! Love, Ashley Boyer

22 Years and Counting

Several years ago when Jen & both turned 37, I remember being delighted at the following realization: I had now KNOWN Jen for more years than I had NOT known her. We met as BYU freshman in a 9 credit hour colloquium class, reading some amazing books and having enlightening discussions. Fast forward 10 years and we again found ourselves together. This time in Belmont.

I can't begin to explain the love and service and friendship she has blessed me with over the years. Let me quickly highlight a few (and over the next week I hope to address some in more detail). Despite the fact that Jen could entertain the Duchess of Windsor and know exactly what fork to use, she is always happy to accompany me to McDonalds for some comfort food. We even shared the ignominy of being banned from one particular Happy Arches due to our rowdy toddlers (thanks a lot Millie & Will!). She has packed my kitchen, helped me wax my legs, visited me in the hospital, brought me perfectly blended Diet Coke/Coke mixtures from White Hen Pantry, made me food to die for (even when the coconut caught fire--twice), talked me off the ledge, praised my meanness, lusted after Darcy with me, reminded me I'm still smart, made me laugh til I wet myself, and labelled every light switch in my house (Jen, you are the Labeler my friend).

Perhaps because we met in an academic setting, Jen and I have always shared our love of books with each other. The Harry Potter series gave us endless hours of intense, nerdy, lovely conversation. She'll deny it now but I had to convince her after book 6 that of course Snape was loyal, that, not unlike Darcy and Elizabeth, it was just a big misunderstanding. Shortly before the final book came out, we started to worry--how on earth could we read the last tome with the attention it deserved and not completely neglect our children? The solution was the highlight of 2007 for me. Along with our buddy Carolyn, we reserved a room at a local Marriott, bought books at 7am, and read until 1am, taking breaks only to eat and occasionally cry (Why Doby!? Why!?). Jen went home that Sunday and taught an amazing YW lesson on choice and accountability based on the books. She hit it out of the park. And is it just me, or is Jen sooo Hermione?

We had such a good time in Marriott Book Prison that we decided to repeat the experience this summer with the uber dorky but fun Vampire book Breaking Dawn. In a Celebrity Death Match, Stephanie Meyer would get her fanny kicked by J.K. Rowling. But when you have four friends, it really doesn't matter what you're reading because Jen + Heather+Sande+Carolyn + Diet Coke + candy - children=hilarity. Renesemee? Seriously? Seriously.

The bottom line is that over the years the fabric of our lives have become so intertwined that it hurts to imagine my life without her in it. My goal is to spend at least the next 17 years in the same community with her so that our separation will be the exception, our togetherness the rule. Happy birthday, dear friend. I love you!

Birthday Greetings

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Favorite Memories of Jen Walker Thomas

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Nouns & Adjectives: Things You Love About Jen

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Funny Stories

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Momma Mia! Life and Motherhood with Jen

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