"My new home..."

We have moved a lot. Noah came into this world in Rexburg. And then when he was four months old, Adam had an internship in the Seattle area. So, we packed up and moved in with his parents for the summer. Then we packed up and came back to Rexburg into a different apartment. We were there for a year and then graduated from BYUI, Macie was born and Adam was hired by a company in California. We moved to Torrance, CA. Eight months after that we decided that we need to find someplace cheaper. It's expensive out here in California! So, we moved to Lawndale. I don't like admitting it, but that's where we lived. Kind of ghetto, really. But, we were only there for 6 weeks before we made yet ANOTHER move to Palmdale, CA. We were there for a whole year, shocking, huh? And now we're in Santa Maria. Noah has lived in a few different places. Macie, too!
And the reason for this information? Well, Noah just told me that he likes his "new home". He had a really rough time when we moved here. He started throwing these terrible tantrums. We thought he was over it, and then it started again. He told us that this wasn't his house. It was Mommy and Daddy's house, but not Noah's. Noah's was gone. It was with his friends. He had some really good friends in Palmdale. He's at the age where he's starting to build friendships, and actually play with other kids. And he loved his "Church boys", as he called them. In his Sunbeam class at church there were 5 boys. No girls. Just the 5 boys. He loved it. Unfortunately our ward split shortly after, but we still had contact with most of the boys in the class. He loved his Palmdale friends. His favorites were Michael and Noah. They were older than him, but he loved them. In fact, he told me just the other day that Michael and Noah were his heroes. I think they are 8 and 6 (almost 7). Noah seems to like the older boys better for some reason!
But, Noah finally likes his new home. He told me this, and then went on and on about the things he liked about his new home. He says that it's big, and he likes the grass, and the carpet, his pirate stuff, his toy room, his tv, and the list goes on. I'm glad he likes his new home. We really like it, too. It took him a while, but he finally came to grips with it! We may be here for a while, so he probably should like it! He's a funny little boy. We love you, Noah!

I'm huge.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. It was the dreaded rHogham shot visit. If only Adam didn't have positive blood...I wouldn't have to worry about the dang shot. That should be one of the questions you ask a guy when you're dating, what blood type he is. If only I would have known! Just kidding! I wouldn't trade Adam anyway. But this shot always gives me a huge bruise when the give it in my arm. And I was prepared for that. And then the nurse came in with the needle, I had my shirt sleeve up, and she's like, "This will be in your bottom." My bottom? Oh great, then I was less excited about it. When that needle goes in and you can actually feel the stuff going in, it's not a pleasant experience. But, it's only one shot. I shouldn't complain. I know people who have to shoot themselves up everyday (and not the druggies!)


But, the doctor measured by belly. Looked at me and said, "How are you feeling?" I'm like well, I could go on and on, but I'm really just uncomfortable. He measured again, and then looked at my chart again. Yeah...I'm huge. I'm measuring 3 and a half weeks earlier than most pregnancies. My belly may not look that big in the pictures, but trust me, I'm huge. It's a weird shape these days. The baby has no more room, and so he just sticks out everywhere. Sometimes I have an alienish belly. I don't know how to explain it better than that. I tried taking pictures, but it didn't work. It just sticks out on both sides. It's weird. But there isn't any more room for him to grow. I have to go in for another ultrasound to see how big the baby is. But, I'm skeptical about those measurements from an ultrasound. Macie was supposedly a 5 pound baby, if that. And that was the day before I had the 8 pound 1 ounce booger that she was! So, we will see. For now, I'll just keep getting bigger, and wait. If I can cut 3 and half weeks off my pregnancy, I'll do it. As long as the baby is alright, cut as much as you'd like off! I'm game.

Proposition 8

Here in California there is a Proposition that, if passed, will only recognize a marriage between a man an a woman as legal. Right now, any one can be married, really. It's a big deal here. We have been read letters in Sacrament meetings about the issue, encouraging us to save marriage and vote yes on the proposition. Our Prophet feels that this is so important and wants us to preserve the divine institution of marriage. But ever since the church has been doing so much the campaign, I have heard many many people arguing that the church is being too political, and they shouldn't get involved. Why shouldn't they? It's more of a matter of values, not politics. I have read newspaper articles from Salt Lake and other Utah papers who have expressed their opinions of the proposition, and think that as a church we have gone to far. They think that if we fight this so hard, we will give the church a bad name among many different social groups. But, if it doesn't pass, there are so many things that go against our values and our teachings that will be effected. I support this, and want to have it pass. I want my children to grow up and learn that marriage between a man and a woman is really their only option. If this doesn't pass, it will be required that schools teach both in their curriculum. Homosexual marriage will be the norm, and will be addressed as such. Sexual education for schools at the appropriate age will discuss both lifestyles. This isn't something that thrills me at all. The idea of sex education for my little kids kind of scares me, anyway, but to think what they could learn. It's scary.

Don't get me wrong, however, I don't hate gay people. I have friends who are gay. Our favorite landlords were a gay couple, who lived in the front house of where we lived. We loved them. I love the people, but don't like what they are doing. They can choose to live in sin, many people do, gay or not. It's their choice. But I don't think they should be given the choice to marry, when that right has been given, by God, to be between a man and a woman. It's a value that we need to uphold in our society. Our society is going downhill, but we can stop that downhill slope from being so rapid if we do our part now.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense at all. I have a lot of thoughts running through my head. But I do know that this is important and isn't just the church being political, it's a real moral thing. It's about preserving marriages, and saving our children. I know we can't live under a rock and keep our children safe from all of that around us. And because of that, we need to focus on something like this. Something that could be so easy. It's just a vote...a yes vote. And if we get that, we can save our children from something. There are few links on my sidebar to go to learn more about and see the church's stand in it all. And why it is so important. It's not something that will just effect California. It could potentially effect everyone. Anyway...just had to share my thoughts on the matter.

Family Home Evening

How hard is Family Home Evening with toddlers? My goodness, trying to get them to hold still for any length of time is nearly impossible with my kids, anyway! I sadly admit that we didn't have a whole lot of Family Home Evenings in the past years. We occasionally did, but not as much as I know we should have. When we were in school it was always so busy, and we were always so exhausted, and then Adam was always working. I know, I know, I have lots of good excuses, but they don't account for it. We should have done it anyway! But, I am happy to report that we have FHE nearly every Monday now. I think we missed last week, because the kids and I weren't home. But it's actually getting easier. Maybe the kids are just getting older, but I like to think it's because we've gotten better at it! We involve the kids more. It's not a long lesson, just a basic, to the point lesson. Really, it's not for us, it's for them.
A few months ago, when we first moved here to Santa Maria, Adam came up with the best lesson. We learned about Samuel on the wall. We have a little balcony from upstairs looking over the family room. I was Samuel on the wall, and the kids tried to throw stuff at me. It was very effective. They loved throwing things at me, and then they both reenacted it for days following. And then that's when I decided that we needed to be more creative in our lessons.
I like to think that I'm creative and I can think of all these wonderful ideas for the kids. But I can't. It's harder than you would think! I want the lessons to be meaningful for them, but entertaining, too. And then, what do ya know? The church came out with a new nursery manual, Behold your Little Ones. I was pretty excited. These lessons are perfect for FHE with Noah and Macie. Just their attention span. We do add a few things because Noah is getting old enough to pay attention longer. But I love the activities that they have in there. When Adam's parents were here, we had a lesson on Following the Prophet. My kids LOVE the song Follow the Prophet. They are ALWAYS singing it. As soon as we get in the car they want it on. Macie gets a little jealous, however. There is a verse about Daddy, Noah and Jacob...but not Macie. She's always asking, "Me?" It's kind of sad. But anyway...for Family Home Evening, I got our picture of Joseph Smith when he was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Noah loves that picture. But I don't think he understands that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I also got down the First Presidency picture. We played Follow the Leader to start off, sang Follow the Prophet, and then talked about how we follow the prophet, President Monson today. It was pretty short, but they were even asking questions. When that happens, I know they were listening. And it was something that they were interested in after the attention getter activity. So, I think everyone with little kids needs this lesson manual. Or, just get it online. It's great. Family Home Evening is fun for us now, it's not dreaded as we try to keep the kids quiet for a lesson. They enjoy it.

 

(Carol took the pictures of this particular FHE...usually we're too involved to take the pictures, so I'm grateful we have some!)

Pirate project

About a year ago, Noah decided that he really liked pirates. And he wanted a pirate room. I found some really cute flannel and started collecting lots of pirate things to complete the pirate room. Well, all of that stuff sat in a box forever, and I never did anything with it. I'm such a slacker. I have such high hopes and ideas, but I never actually do them. But, I am proud to say, I finished one thing! I finally made Noah his pirate blanket! I'm pretty excited about it. I wanted to actually quilt it, but I decided that if it was a quilt, it would be harder, and I don't have the quilting skills to make it look good anyway, I don't have to frame and all that. So I opted on a duvet cover for the comforter he already had. And it worked pretty well. I used the fabric from the crib bedding, so Noah and the new baby will have matching beds. I even have enough flannel left over to make the baby his own pirate blanket. And now if I could just get my butt into gear and complete the pirate room, everyone would be happy. Noah asks about it all of the time.
The pictures arent't the greatest content, or quality. I don't know what's up with my camera these days, it doesn't take as good of pictures sometimes. I think I need a new one, maybe a Rebel. (that's a hint, Adam!Ü) But, eventhough the pictures aren't so good, I'm happy with the final product. It took me a while, but after lots of pinning, sewing, and just looking at it, it finally got done. I didn't know how to make the mitered edges, but it worked out alright. I'm not a seamstress by any means, so I just figure things out how I think they should be done. One day I'll be an expert. One day.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Birthday! I hope that you can have a relaxing day, and have lots of fun! My dad is great, and we miss him a lot! The kids really want to see Pa! Every time we watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, Noah tells that Pa likes it. Now Macie is catching on. It's funny. We are so grateful for Pa and everything that he does for us and our whole family. Just a year ago he was getting ready to come home from Naval service in Kuwait. No one wanted him to go...it was a hard time for everyone. But he was dedicated to his country, and served willingly. He's my hero. We love him so much and can't wait to see him again! Happy Birthday, Dad. Enjoy the cake.

 

Disneyland fun!

It wouldn't have been a complete Jensen vacation without a trip to Disneyland! But, after this trip, Erin told me she's done with it! We thought it would be something that the kids would really enjoy and everything. Well, Noah has decided that rides are scary. I don't know what happened. I'm hoping it's a phase. He's been going on all of the big rides for a while now, and all of the sudden doesn't want to ride them. He likes them once he's on them, it's weird. I think that someone told him that they were scary, and now he thinks they are, because he was always fine before. Oh well. But we did have lots of fun. Despite the 97 degree heat and the crowds! Macie wore her Alice in Wonderland shirt with a black bow in her hair to look like Alice, and we saw her. She was pretty excited. It was the first character that she has ever gotten her picture taken with by herself. It was quite a momentous occasion! And she got to ride her favorite ride...the carousel. She talks about riding the horsies all of the time! She loves it! Noah likes to ride on the Winnie the Pooh ride, but I think he all time favorite is Star Tours. He's a big fan. We do always have fun at Disneyland, but I'm afraid we won't be going again for a little while, so it was fun to have one last trip there. It's pretty uncomfortable being so pregnant and things. And we'll see when we take the baby for his first trip!

 

Beverly Hills

The last time Erin came to visit, I took her to Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. They have very yummy cupcakes, and lots of different flavors. We always seem to go on Monday though, so we never get to try all of the flavors.

They were pretty good. We enjoyed our huge cupcakes, and bought a dozen this time to extend the goodness!



And then to top off our cupcakes, we stopped at PinkBerry. It wasn't a TOTAL fat kid day, PinkBerry is frozen yogurt...kind of healthy, right?


We had quite the day in Beverly Hills. It was fun. We even went shopping...and could afford to even buy something! It was only at Gymboree, but hey, it was still in Beverly Hills!

Surprise!

My sister Erin came down from Boise to visit. A friend of hers was moving down to Southern California, and invited her to come along for the ride. She decided for sure to come on Tuesday, and she got here Saturday afternoon. I didn't tell Noah, I wanted him to be surprised. And just the day before she got here, Noah asked when she was coming to his house. He loves his Aunt Erin! He was pretty excited to see her. we drove a little ways to get her, and ate dinner, and then made the 3 hour trek back home. We were glad she was able to come and see us!

Blogger Slump

It's been so long since I've blogged. I'm was a bit of a blogger's slump. I didn't know what to blog about. I had a lot of things going on, so it wasn't like my life was too boring. I just don't know what it was. But, don't you worry. I'm back...I think may post a few today, aren't you excited?