Preview Rexburg Temple

Click on the link below and then click on the video icon under the "by" line to see some of the interior shots of our temple. They are absolutely AMAZING!!

http://www.kidk.com/news/local/12840652.html

The Best Gift?.....The Gift of Self!

Christmas was good to us this year. Santa hit our house and hit it hard!! You can see that even though the Jensen kids were threatened (many times I might add) with coal, they stepped it up just in time for Santa to bring them EVERYTHING a kid could possibly want.

But what do you get for someone who is hard to shop for? You know the kind...the person who can and does buy what they want. Or better yet (this one is me) the person who says they really don't need anything and they are fine so they don't bother with a list.

This year Sharman MADE me the best gift ever! For those of you who do not know, I have a brother who committed suicide three and a half years ago. It has been tough without him and we all miss him terribly. When we had to go through his personal items I took a coat, hat, belts and a shirt of his. My sisters were a little grossed out by it, but when we did the last pour of concrete on our home, my brother Ben was there to help us and he was wearing some of these items. I wanted to have them to keep a part of him that had once been in my home with my home still. For years Sharman has said that he will get me something to put it all in. Well, this Christmas that something finally materialized into .......

a custom made shadow box! The top lifts off and the glass slides in. He made the box and then carefully placed the items inside to be opened by me Christmas morning. I could not have asked for a better gift!!

The kids kind of got into the giving of self this year as well. Sharman and the kids had purchased this photo frame. Then, when my sister Amy came for Thanksgiving, Sharman had her take black and white photos to put in the frame. There are photos of many of my family members on both sides. I still need a photo of Tammie and her family and Kendon and Lisa and their family to have everyone but for the most part I have photos of both sides. It means so much because I really value each member of my family. They each represent a special part of my life and who I am. I even have a photo of my brother-in-law and his wife (Kelly and KaYa) who are in Korea. This was pretty cool to have in the frame as well.

For years, I have looked forward with eager anticipation to our family gift exchange. My sister-in-law April is extremely talented. She has made denim quilts, baby blankets, sweaters, recipe books, photo trays, food items, blankets, etc. You name it, she can make it. I am really grateful for each of my family and extended family members and the things they do to bless my life. Mostly, I am really grateful for the gifts of self that they extend to me, not just during the Christmas season, but throughout the entire year. This is what I love most about family.

Santa Baby

Ever have a hard time getting your kids to listen? I keep telling my kids that I really do know Santa. They do not believe me. Last night I get Santa's telephone number and business card so I can call him whenever I might need a little help with the kids listening.

Last night was the ward Christmas party at Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's ward. Here are photos of the kiddos:

Zack and Sydney were first in line and ecstatic to see the big guy. Sydney waited for everyone to leave and then made a second trip to see him and ask about getting a dog.

Sirri, Connor and Meg were next and we very happy to see Santa too. Lisa said she was surprised that Connor would even go to Santa as he was not a fan just last week when then went.
Finally it was Saquoia's turn. She even had a part in the Christmas program. She was one of the angels that sang at the birth of baby Jesus.

I love these kids and am especially excited to see Santa each year. What a great guy. He sure made my kids evening and I have heard nothing but questions and comments about him since. We love you Santa!!

Trapping

Zack has spent the last couple of weekends taking a trapping class offered by the community of Rexburg. He learned not only how to trap but also about skinning and proper maintenance of his traps. In the above photo he is the kid in front of the guy in brown who is holding the hammer. The photo was with an article about trapping in our local newspaper.

Sunday a neighbor asked Zack to come over and trap along the river. Zack was more than willing to accommodate him. Last night I got home and my mighty trapper had managed to trap a couple animals. There was never a prouder boy than Zack last night. He trapped a mallard duck and a muskrat. His dad helped him skin the muskrat and I think he will take it to get tanned as it is his pride and joy.

His next big trapping hope is to trap either a beaver or a raccoon. Good luck mighty hunter. We will post photos of him with his trophies as he traps.

What Do You Want For Christmas?

The other day I was driving to town with Sydney in the back seat. She was upset so I started to ask her what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas. She was still crying so I said:

Me: Do you want a cat?

Syd: No.

Me: Do you want a chicken?

Syd: We have guineas.

Me: Do you want a llama?

Syd: YEAH!!

Great I was thinking she would revert back to the good ole' ..... no I want a dog, answer.

Me: What will you do with a llama?

Syd: Keep it.

Me: Where will you keep it?

Syd: In the back yard.

Me: What will you do with it in the winter? Won't it get cold?

Syd: No, it won't get cold ... it is fluffy.

Smart girl. How do I get her back on track?

Me: I thought you wanted Santa to bring you a dog.

Syd: But Mom, you hate dogs.

Me: Yeah, but maybe if Santa brought a LITTLE dog I might not hate it.

Syd: Yeah, then I want a rat dog.

Me: Ooookay. A rat dog huh?

Syd: Yep and it can sleep in my bed with me.

What I didn't know at the time is that Sharman is getting a Jack Russell Terrier for the kids for Christmas. Great. So now that you know what Syd wants for Christmas; what do you want?

Silly Girl

Sydney makes me laugh with all of her little antics. About a month ago she got ahold of some cattails and she pulled all of the seeds off so it looked like snow. She looked so cute I just had to snap a few (a lot) of photos.

Look Mom, it kinda is like snow.

Snow is falling!!!


Rolling in the "snow."

Drats, snow in the mouth!

Ok, enough of the snow. I am dusting off.

Reading Anyone?

Yeah I know it is dark and hard to see, but this is my library with SIX full sized bookcases. I love to read. I mean I really, really, really love to read. When we built our house we decided that the one thing we would splurge on was having a library in our home. Here we are...three almost four years later and now we have our library. I am so excited. They are stained a deep mahogany color.

Sharman ground out stumps for a man who is a master at woodworking and we traded out services. He built these beautiful bookcases from the ground up. When they are all done they will have a kick board across the bottom and crown molding across the top.

I remember many times that President Hinckley has talked about how he had a room in his home filled with good books. Sharman and I love reading and hope that our love of reading will inspire our children to read as well.

After we got these in the house and set I promptly filled two complete cases. I was scanning some of my favorite books and couldn't help but smile.

So I sat down with the kids and read them a few stories and then we all went to bed. What a wonderful night.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Last night for Family Home Evening, I finally broke down and set up the Christmas tree. The kids are so excited that I actually ended up with some cute photos of them too. After we put up the tree we read stories and then the kids went to bed. It was a wonderful night.

Each year the kids get a new Christmas ornament. They are allowed to hang up their own ornaments so the evening was filled with "Oh, I remember this one." It was a lot of fun and I remembered fondly the tradition that was started so many years ago when I was young. I did manage to drop and break a christmas ball. Syd turned to me and looked at the broken ornament and said, "that can't be good." Sharman was laughing so hard I thought he would pass out. Well, I am glad it was me that broke it instead of a kiddo who would have had a broken heart over it. What a wonderful evening.

Sirri Marie I Love You Too

Last night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's and watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. When we first got there my niece, Sirri, caming running up to me and told me, "I love you so much." This was followed by lots of hugs and kisses. My sweet little Sirri is so good to me. She always has hugs and kisses for me. Well, during the devotional she was laying on her dad's legs and then whispered to me...."I love you." Talk about make my heart melt!!

Later in the evening she walked over to me and asked me if my daddy ever held me on his legs like her daddy held her on his legs. I remember my dad doing the same types of things. Then, she and her brother Connor promptly turned the blanket over their daddy's legs into a slip-or-slide.

I am really glad for my best buddy Sirri. She is always generous with her hugs and kisses and telling me how much she loves me. Well, little sister, I LOVE YOU TOO!!

Getting Closer

The tickets for the open house of the Rexburg Temple became available on Monday. My sister-in-law and I along with most of my co-workers frantically checked every ten minutes until 10 a.m. to get our tickets. Finally, I was able to get some tickets to attend the open house.

A co-worker forwarded me a copy of the temple at night and it was so amazingly beautiful I just had to set it as my background on my computer screen. Looking at this photo makes me think of the primary song, "I love to see the Temple." Sydney already refers to it as her temple and maybe, just maybe one day she will make it her temple as she looks forward to marriage.

Happy Birthday Sydney

It is official....my baby turned five today! Sydney was born at 9:05 a.m. at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho five years ago today. Those who were there included Nana, Papa, Zack, Daddy, Mommy (of course), Aunt Lisa and Uncle Kelly.

Syd has been such a delight to have in our family. She is her daddy's little girl and loves him very much. They work out in the mornings together and she will sometimes come snuggle into bed with me and catch an extra 30 winks before getting ready for the day. Her laughter and smile are contagious. She really adds so much to our family.

I cannot believe it has already been five years. My sweet baby is growing so quickly and will be heading off to school next fall. She can already spell her own name and loves to write us "notes" and color pictures for us. Happy birthday big girl.....we love you!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas...and My Heart

The other day I was in Walmart and they have up their count down calendar to Christmas day. For all of you procrastinators out there you only have 37 shopping days left.

One thing I love about Christmas is that my FAVORITE Christmas movie of all time airs.

Yes, I love the movie of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Dr. Seuss himself wrote this classic. Secondly, I love Max! His facial expressions stole my heart the first time I watched this tale of wonder. Plus, how many dogs can really make a horn look cute really?!

Right around this time of year several years ago (ok, 5 but who is counting right?), my sweet little Sydney was born. Some people couldn't remember her name and would call her Cindy-Lou so I really like that association as well. Plus with her beautiful blonde hair and her amazing blue eyes, you could swear you are looking at the same little girl. Ok not quite but almost.

Finally, the message of the story is so relevant. Sometimes we get too caught up in the commercialism of the holiday and forget that without our packages, boxes and bags Christmas would still be Christmas and would come anyway.

"Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any presents at all!He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!"

"And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags!" It came without packages, boxes or bags!" And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store." Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

"And what happened then...? Well...in Who-ville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day!"

I think Dr. Seuss had it right...when we look beyond the packages, boxes or bags we see that Christmas is about something more. I love this show. Now...what is your all time favorite Christmas movie and why?

Jensen's Farm

Ok, so we have animals. It seems like our home is constantly a revolving door for the latest "trendy" animal to come around and set up residence. We have had dogs (which are gone), three cats, a turtle from Missouri (thanks Grandpa J.), a rabbit (wandering around somewhere on our property if it hasn't been eaten), ducklings (they didn't survive), chickens (which now live at Uncle Kendon & Aunt Lisa's house), and squirrels (Sharman brought home from a job site when he knocked over their nest...they are gone now). As if all of those animals weren't enough, now we have......

Guinea hens. We will see how long these guys last. They may be ugly, but they eat bugs and kill snakes. I am a serious non-fan of snakes and with a snake house less than a mile from our place I guess ugly chickens are better than snakes. They are not penned up or anything so they just run around in a small flock. We have about 20 just wandering around. I will keep you posted and let you know when they are gone.

The kids did freak out yesterday when the guinea hens arrived and promptly took off down the road. I told them that the hens were just going site seeing. They were definitely relieved when the hens came home.

Sirens Are Screaming

So as most of you know my husband is an arborist...he cuts trees for a living. He brings home and dumps chips from the jobs he does and over a season he accumulates quite a pile.

Well, once a year we light off the pile and you can see smoke for miles around. Yesterday was that day. Unfortunately for our new neighbor from California, smoke tends to end up where ever the wind blows. Also being from California, he doesn't realize that this is something that happens annually and it is not an emergency. At about 5:30 last night the sirens started and soon we were inundated with fire trucks. What a sight to be seen!

I did apologize to the fire chief and ask him if he knew the way to our house by heart. He smiled and said he was still laughing about the Californian who doesn't know this is not an emergency but he did welcome the training opportunity it provided his men.

Happy Halloween

My best friend at work, Emily, sent me a list of rules for Halloween and once I was able to breathe again and clear the tears from my eyes I knew I had to share them with you. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. My sides still hurt.

1. When it appears that you have killed the monster, "never" check to see if it's really dead.

2. Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.

3. Do not search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.

4. If children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they should not know, or if they speak to you using a voice which is other than their own, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. NOTE: It will probably take several rounds to kill them, so be prepared.

5. When you have the benefit of numbers, "never" pair off and go it alone.

6. As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.

7. Never stand in, on, above, below, beside, or anywhere near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, or other house of the dead.

8. If you're searching for something which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, leave the room immediately if you value your life.

9. If appliances start operating by themselves, move out.

10. Do not take "anything" from the dead.

11. If you find a town which looks deserted, it's probably for a reason. Take the hint and stay away.

12. Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure you know what you are doing.

13. If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are of the female persuasion. Also note that, despite the fact that you are running and the monster is merely shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

14. If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, get away from them as fast as possible.

15. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (you're in trouble if you recognize this one), the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine.

16. If your car runs out of gas at night, do not go to the nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help.

17. Beware of strangers bearing tools such as chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines, lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, band saws, or any device made from deceased companions.


Enjoy the holiday and stay safe.

I'm Dreaming of ......

Laying on the beach and having some fun with the kiddos. As this time of year rolls around again I am starting to get a bit ansy. I am longing for the warm weather and beautiful beaches we enjoyed last year when we went to Hawaii. I look to my left and see the calendar of Hawaiian landmarks and start to daydream about beating the cold weather in a tropical paradise.

I think I need to go home and look watch our Hawaiian video. My heart longs to be there again and enjoy the beauty of the islands with our children. There is something absolutely magical about the islands that you just don't get in our world today. Maybe it is the fact that everything is slower there. There are no worries. When you get there you get there. You don't feel the constant rush of having to be somewhere RIGHT NOW! You can take an Aloha Friday (meaning you take the day off) and spend some time snorkeling with the Honu!!!