Thats one big trunk

Candice got a new car yesterday. It's a cute little silver Saab. Her car died a sad and pitiful (but not unexpected) death and ended up being pushed back to Candice's house. May it rest in peace... it gave more than we could ask for and tolerated much abuse. She tried using trax and riding her bike (scary and scarier) to work while she was looking for a car. She came across this one in an ad on Craigs list and we went and test drove it last week. She really liked it, but hated to just pick the first one she tried, so she kept looking. She didn't find anything else that looked as good as this one so wednesday night she called the guy and told him she wanted to buy it. Thursday afternoon I picked her up from work and took her to the bank where the guy met us with the car. The people selling the car were really nice and had taken great care of the car. The wife, who had driven the car even wrote Candice a letter telling her all about the car and how much she had liked it and where to take it to get it taken care of.

Candice came over this morning and went to Tahnie's shower with me. Stacie, Mickie and Ange had put together a real nice shower for her. She got a lot of great gifts that Candice was coveting. (A crepe maker..ice cream machine...cake taker..what else could you ask for?) Candice said it would almost be worth getting married if you get all those great kitchen gadgets.

After the shower she was showing us her car and was telling us that it had this huge trunk. Where would the huge trunk be in this little car? Well we had to test it out to see just how big it is. That is 3 good sized people in the trunk. I think I could have fit too but I was taking the picture.

My rose hedge is blooming so pretty right now. Just had to take a picture.

I also need to say that I love my visiting teachers. They came over friday morning and left a beautiful message about accepting the changes that come into your life. Leah said she had come across this talk from conference and was prompted that I needed to hear that message right now. This woman is amazing. She is always so in tune with the spirit...You can just feel it when she is around you. A very Christ like lady. She reminds me so much of my mom. Well she was right on with that choice. There are a lot of changes that are going on in my life right now. With me and with the people I love. I try to not let things I cannot control get me down, but lately I have felt a sadness creeping into my life. Every night, right around 2:00 I wake up in a sweat. Then the longer I lay there, the worse the anxiety becomes. So I usually get up and read or sew. I'm sure some of this has to do with stupid menopause...not a lot I can do about that, but just try to get through it. I know a lot of people have it much worse than me and I don't have much to complain about.

Anyway, I told them about my mom and how worried I was about her. ( Thursday night Brenda called me and said that mom had had a really bad day. The home health care lady had called her and told her mom couldn't stand up or get to the bathroom. Her hand was all swollen up and red and she was in a lot of pain. So later that day, Brenda and Leslie tried to get her over to instacare...very difficult when she can't walk. When they undressed her, they found her legs were all bruised from falling. Anyway, she must have fallen several times and sprained her hand and banged herself up pretty good. She doesn't ever tell us when something happens. I don't know if she doesn't remember that it happened or if she just doesn't want to worry us. We decided we need to make a change in her living arrangement to where someone is with her all the time.)
I would love to have her come here and live with us. After the past few days, I think she realizes that she needs more help than she has before and is willing to let us give it to her.

Anyway, I was feeling pretty emotional when they came over that morning and they probably really think I am a basket case. Leah went on with the message from Brother Snows talk; She said to keep an Eternal perspective, Understand that change and challenges are part of Gods plan for me, have faith, and to "Be of good cheer", knowing that I am not walking this journey alone. What a great reminder that I really needed to hear. By the time she finished we were all bawling. I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows me and what is in my heart and sends sweet angel visiting teachers to lift me up and help me feel His love.

Top 10 embarassing moments...

Ok , so about the spout. At Kelsie's shower, Marsha had a beautiful luncheon set up...Chinese chicken salad, delicious rolls, fruit and the cutest mini cupcakes. She had a punch bowl filled with a lime sherbet drink and then a glass water jug with lime water in it. Well the jug had one of those spouts on it where you turn it to make it come out faster. I think it had a clog of lime in it because it wasn't coming out hardly at all. So I turned it again to see if it would come out better and the whole screw thing came right out! It started squirting water everywhere. I was screaming oh dear oh dear and putting all the cups I could find under it to catch the water. The spout had fallen on the floor, so then I was scrambling to find it so I could stick it back in the hole. Brooke came running up and stuck her finger in the hole till I could get the spout back in. By this time everyone was laughing...I'm sure it could have won a prize on America's Funniest Videos. Brooke was so sweet and assured me that it happens all the time. ya right! I was really glad that it wasn't the sticky punch that had squirted all over the floor and cabinits! I'm so grateful for good friends and wonderful family that I can laugh with! I would be in real bad shape if I couldn't laugh at myself. (unflortunatly, lots of things to laugh at lately)

Memorial Day

Memorial Day we decided to work in the yard. For mother's day, Kelley gave me a nice peach tree, and a lilac bush. I have been wanting a lilac for ever so it was a wonderful surprise and very thoughtful of him. He said that was my gift from Grandma Jensen. I have always loved her lilac bushes. I don't think there is anything that smells more lovely. She would always invite me to come over and cut enough to make a big vase full to enjoy at my house every spring. I can still picture her working in the yard in her housedress and slippers, carrying her bucket to put weeds and trimmings off the roses in. She loved her roses and cared for them like her babies. She knew the names of each one and when we would walk around her garden looking at all the different varieties, she would tell me their name like she was introducing me to an old friend. Her bedroom always smelled like roses too..I think it was the perfume she wore. When I open her old purses she gave me, it still smells like her...like roses. When she was dying, we talked about her roses and how beautiful they always were. I told her I would try to help Lisle take care of them like she had done. I have really failed her there. They have really overtaken the yard. I know Lisle does the best he can but he is getting to where he can't do that much in the yard anymore. Kelley goes over there and helps his dad a lot. I am going to try to keep my promise to Maxine this summer.

First they had to get the apricot tree out. I have enjoyed the apricots, but it was just such a mess. It was always just loaded with them, and we couldn't get to the ones at the top and they would all fall down and rot in the grass. I think we will use the peaches more...everyone seems to like them better than apricots.

Planted the lilac bush on the corner of the house

Katie had Kelley pick out a nice yellow rose for me for mother's day. It is called Henry Fonda. Love it!
It looks like its going to be a real nice one.

Found the perfect place for the rose bush up at the top of the rock garden. .

Lizzy supervising

Candice and I went to a baby shower for Kelsie tuesday night. It was really fun to see everyone. Marsha and Brooke and Kassidy had decorated their house so cute for it. She had hung up a clothes line against the window and hung all these cute new baby clothes on it with big clothes pins. Brooke's mother in law heard us talking about K.C. going to Russia and she said that her neighbors had just been called to be the missiion president and wife in K.C.'s mission. She said they would be in the MTC learing russian the same time as K.C. She said they are wonderful people and that he would be in very good hands with them. Their name is Wooley. That was very reassuring to hear!

Lots of pregnant people there! Kelsie, Kara, Ashley, Mickie. My heart was aching for Camille as I realized that she would have been due the same time as all these girls if she hadn't lost her baby. It's still very tender and painful as people unknowingly ask if she is pregnant. I know they will have more children...they are such good parents, I'm sure there are more little spirits watching them and anxiously waiting for their turn to join their sweet family.

I made Kelsie a little baby blanket that she seemed to like. She is so sweet and always is so grateful for everything she has.

Hatsumi had invited me to come to a special Stake Relief Society program they were having with Bonnie Parkin as their special guest speaker. Hatsumi is in the stake R.S. presidency in her Japanese stake, and they invited another stake from south salt lake. She was an amazing speaker and had a way of making each person there feel loved. She came out into the audience and had people make comments and really got everyone involved. She talked about several different things. What really stuck out in my mind was the many evidences that we have the God loves us. She told us to think about a time when we have felt God's love for us and had several people share their stories. It was just really uplifting and touching. I'm so glad I went...one of those things that fills up your bucket again.

When K.C. and I got home from church today, we thought we were both looking pretty spiffy so we set up the camera to take our picture.

Unfortunately, as K.C. was trying to get back into the picture, he tripped over the piano bench, and we were both laughing hystericley when the flash

went off.

Yes that is the pond with NO fish in it! Except the stupid trout. Apparently some time in the last 2 days, the crane came back and ate all our pretty fish. Ewwwww!!! I am so mad at that crane! It was really hard to catch those fish in grandmas pond and they had gotten pretty big. We are going to have to take drastic measures now. You better look out crane.

All these flowers were just blooming so pretty, I had to take some pictures. The Simplicity rose is just starting to bloom. Its so pretty every year...blooms several times in the summer and until late in the fall.

One of the things I thought of when we were thinking about how we know that God loves us...our beautiful world! He didn't have to make the flowers, birds, mountains, lakes, the ocean, sunsets, yummy fruits and vegetables,( I could go on and on). so beautiful. They would probably work just fine, and fulfill thier measure of creation without being so great to look at, but He did make them beautiful...all in their own special way. I think it was because He loves us and wants us to find the joy that there is in His incredible world...also maybe a glimpse of what we will find in our next life....that may be why I feel a distant longing for my Heavenly home when I am out in nature. When I look at some of these flowers up close, they are so very delicate and perfect, so perfectly formed, I don't know how anyone could ever doubt that we have a loving Heavenly Father who has created all of this. Everything works together so perfectly...our own bodies are so amazing...creating children, the way we can heal, the way our brain, eyes, ears,and hearts work...when I think about it, it just boggles my mind, so I just give thanks to Him every day and try not to ever take for granted all the wonderful, beautiful, and amazing gifts He has given us to enjoy.

We planted the garden saturday. (When I say we, I mean Kelley and K.C.)

Lots of tomatos, and peppers, some squash, potatos, pumpkin cucumbers and even some brussell sprouts for Candice.

I can't wait for that first fresh tomato sandwhich...there's nothing like it!

Did I say that out loud?

At our last Presidency meeting, Kathy mentioned that her daughter was in need of a babysitter. Her regular babysitter had to go out of the state to take care of her father who was sick. She was just wondering if any of us knew of anyone that babysat. I had this kind of out of body experience as I heard the words "I'll do it" come out of what was apparently my mouth. I didn't even think about it...the words just came out. Kathy was like...are you sure? I know you are busy and she is a real handful. By this time it had sunk in what I had committed myself to and it felt totally right. I said "for some reason, I am supposed to do this" Chalese brought her over last sunday so we could get to know each other before she just dropped her off on monday morning. She busts out with this huge smile the first time our eyes met and I knew we would get along just fine. She is one of those babies that has this look in their eyes like they know stuff.. It's just for a few weeks till school is over and she is a real good baby. I have to say, it has cheered up my day to be with her... so, thank you Heavenly Father for moving in your mysterious ways.

These Iris smell so good. I wish I could save the wonderful smell along with the picture so I could get it out in the winter and remember how lovely spring time flowers are.

I made this for Leslie's birthday.
Tried doing a little applique work on this one and I think it turned out pretty cute.





My latest additions to the zoo...Twiggy the tree frog, kitty. wierd elephant, fish and puppy (my favorite).

Borscht

When we were talking to Jordan about his mission in Russia, he said he liked most of the foods they had over there but he especially liked a beet soup called borscht. So we decided to try to make some. Candice found a recipe for us...Things to buy: Beets, Cabbage, and Onions. yummy!

Not my favorite things. But we wanted to see what he had to look forward to so we went for it.


K.C. helped me cut everything up and it got it cooking. I have never done anything with beets before and was plesantly surprised with their flavor.

Ha! It looks like K.C. is feeding Bob Dylan borscht!

VERY RED!
It actually was not bad. We both ate a whole bowl of it. Candice was chicken (which surprised me..she is usually pretty open to try new things) and didn't try it...could be because of the large amount of onions.

K.C got a call from the mission president's wife yesterday. She sounded really nice and amazing close. I answered the phone and she asked for Elder Jensen. It sounded like she could be next door, not on the other side of the world. K.C. got the biggest smile on his face when she told him who she was. She had the wrong email address for K.C. and had tried to send him some information about what things he should bring and what things he should wait to get till he got there. She said she was so excited to have this new group of missionaries arrive because they hadn't had any there for a while. I didn't realize what a huge expense it is to get the missionaries taken care of with their visa. It costs 2000.00 for every missionary every time they have to get their visa renewed, which is usually 3 or 4 times during their mission. They have to travel out of the country, about a 3 or 4 day trip...usually to Germany, or Finland to get it taken care of. I think this was a reason why they hadn't sent as many missionaries there.

His President had sent him a real nice letter last week to welcome him and tell him about the mission. He included this thought: In June of 1843 the Prophet Joseph Smith announced the appointment of apostle Orson Hyde and George J. Adams to serve as missionaries in"that vast empire" of Russia, with which, he continued, are connected to "some of the most important things concerning the advancement and building up of the kingdom of God in the last days, which cannot be explained at this time." (HC 6:41) He goes on to say..Truly we are in an era "which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation." President Cranny told K.C. that his unique personality, knowledge, and abilities are greatly needed in this growing area of the Lord's vineyard. He thanked K.C. for his worthiness and willingness to serve. It is very reassuring and comforting to know there are good caring people there who already love and pray for K.C. and for his success.

YARD SALE

We decided to have a ward yard sale-bake sale for our fundraiser for girls camp. We started advertising about it about a month ago and the ward really came through for us! People brought over a ton of stuff for us to sell. All the neighbors around here were really supportive too and brought over stuff to sell or just brought over money. We baked a bunch of goodies friday then got to work pricing all the stuff. There was so much stuff! Leslie has been collecting all the things and storing it all in her living room, kitchen, front porch, side of house... She is a gem! Candice put an ad in KSL classifieds and Leslie made some great signs and about 6:45 am, the people started coming . There was a pretty steady stgh ghgghjb ll,, iiiiinuinh87n ok this isn't going to wor kfcfdddcdxcaaaz bbb I'm babysitting Kathy Withers granddaughter for a few weeks and she wants me to hold her all the time. She is 8 months old and a little sweetie pie.She is very good natured and happy n bbbn bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbcccccc

Nap time. So anyway we had a lot of people come to the yard sale and we made over 800.00 dollars! Candice was awesome to come over and help...6:30am, and she was there with bells on!
Leslie really worked herself to a frazzle...I think she pulled a muscle in her back lifting boxes because she couldn't get out of bed sunday morning. All the young women and their leaders were supposed to sing in sacrement meeting and she couldn't move. All the girls showed up though which was really something because there are several that are pretty much inactive. They wanted Candice and I to sing with the girls because we are the camp leaders this year, so Candice came over and sang and I tried to sing but I mostly just blubbered. We sang "Walk Tall, Your a Daughter" and I never can sing it without getting emotional. I can't even play the piano for them to practice without boobing. The words are so powerful and really hit close to home for me. Anyway, thanks to Candice for trying to help me get through it without falling apart. You know what I'm talking about.

Saturday afternoon, K.C. and I went over to Riverton music to look at their sheet music. They have pianos set up so you can sit and play with headphones on and you are the only one that can hear it. They had one with two headphones hooked up to it though so we had fun playing on these amazing pianos and listening to each other. It's amazing how much better the music sounds on that kind of piano......some day......

These are just lame pictures I took with my phone, and K.C. doesn't help them any by pulling this face every time I want to take his picture.

(Missionary shoe shopping) We found some nice brown ones that I think will hold up real good.
Steve Larsen brought over a pair of black Doc Martins that were just his size and look like new. People are so thoughtful , kind, and supportive! We are so grateful!









We went up fishing bright and early friday morning. It was real nice when we got there...perfectly calm and beautiful! Then about 10:00, the wind started to blow and it was COLD!

We kept fishing though because we came across an area where there was a ton of fish on the fish finder. The only problem was they weren't biting. We tried everything but no luck. We finally decided to give it up, then on the way back to the dock, K.C. caught this one little guy.

I Can't believe the fish didn't just jump in the boat with Kelley enticing them like this.

Fishing with Dan is an experience in itself. He says and does the funniest things, we are just laughing nonstop the whole time. On the way up there, he kept saying he saw deer up on the mountian side. We were all questioning his eyesight. Then he said "look at those deer...right over there...I've still got it!" We all saw them, but they weren't deer, they were emu. He was wishing he hadn't said he still had it.

Kelley and Dan have got so many lures and fish catching gadgets that it is funny. I mean ridiculous funny!

K.C. even pulls that face at me when he is sleeping.

Holly called me last week and asked if K.C. and I would like come over and visit with her son who just returned from his mission to Russia 5 months ago. So Sunday night, we went up to their house. It was really great. We talked for about 2 hours and he showed us a bunch of pictures of what it is like there. He was in a little warmer area than K.C. is going to, but I think the living conditions will be real similar. They told us things he would need and what not to take too. Jordan was robbed 5 times while he was there, so he told K.C. what to watch out for and how to be safe as safe as possible. Drinking is a big problem there and also immorality. He told us about good people there too and the success's he had had. He said he had wonderful experiences and by the end of his mission, he didn't want to leave. He has grown to love the Russian culture and was able to get 16 credits in college by testing out on the language. I think it made K.C. feel a lot more comfortable and at ease. He said he can actually picture himself being there now and is excited and ready to go.
I think he looks at the 3 months he will be in the MTC as a reallly long time, and is anxious to get to Russia, but Jordan said that Russian is pretty tough to learn, so he will need the time.

Anyway, it was so great of them to share their experiences and advice with us. I love Holly, she has always been one of my favorite people.