Leap of Faith

I am announcing a huge step in my life. I am writing and publishing a book. For those of you who know me this is going to be a book about my testimony and how it was affected by the death of my brother Ben and again with the death of my father.

I am really nervous about this as it is a personal story. I have felt very prompted (or extremely prodded) to get this written and publish as soon as possible. I am praying for the guidance necessary to do this story justice and to acknowledge the help of the Savior and my family in the process. Wish me luck.

New Ward

Sunday evening the Salem 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wards were brought together and divided into four wards.

I have to say this came with great excitement and sorrow. I was so excited to see what ward I would be in but as the new boundaries were uncovered, I was sorrowful to loose some very good friends in my ward too.

I know that this is going to be a new step and exciting but still change is just that....change.

The newest ward is Teton River Ward. I am happy that I will know so many from the previous Salem 3rd Ward. The next two weeks we go to church for just one hour. (Considering that normally church is a 3 hour thing, this is kind of fun.)

Some of the people that I was just casual friends with before better watch out because I am now in need of a best friend in Teton River Ward!! This in no way replaces Melissa, but surely there isn't such a thing as too many close friends. Oh, and by the way, if you are up for volunteering for the BFF position, I am totally looking and just need to find someone who thinks I am as funny as I think I am and doesn't mind talking on the phone. Scrapbooking is a good thing but not required. Dr. Pepper is one of my hugest vices so you have to be willing to overlook this habit. Finally, I kind of have a mild form of turrets. Sorry but it is true. If you can deal with that then I am so looking to find a new friend to do stuff with in Teton River Ward. No application necessary and everyone is automatically accepted.

What Are You Thankful For?

I am thankful for my family, my sweetheart, my Savior, my testimony, my sisters, my friends (you all know I am talking to you), my job, my home, my bed, my crappy car, my clothing, the food I have to eat, my parents, my freedom to worship, the troops who serve in the armed forces, the missionaries of our church, the air I breathe, my life.

Not So Private

So I went private and thought that was pretty boring. I miss some of the people who were commenting that I had forgotten to add. I think the private thing is more of a hassle that it was worth. Besides.....my life is so boring who would want to do anything with my "information" anyway?

I am officially unprivate.

Rocky Mountain "STAR"

Sydney's dance team. She is a Small Star this year.


Ray-Ray, Miana, Brianna, and Sydney



This is the entire team. It is really fun to watch them dance. As you can see, the group is pretty big this year. I even got a bit brave and signed up to do adult hip hop. I really enjoy dancing with the other women and our instructor Michelle is AMAZING!! I keep telling her I need to be in dance special ed but she keeps encouraging me. Maybe I will one day be able to do the entire routine without standing there wondering what I am doing there.

Just Some Photos

Sometimes your family extends to those who you choose not just those you are related to. Here are some of our "family" photos.

The Byrds

The Beagleys

A special thanks to ALL of those who are members of our "family" whether they are related or not. Know you make our lives better because of your love.

About Us

I saw this on Heather's blog and LOVED it so I am copying it.

How long have you been together? 16 years

How long did you know each other before you started dating? 6 months

Who asked who out? Sharman asked me out (I thought he was a geek)

Who made the first move? Sharman of course

Did you go to the same school? Not until after we were married...then we both went to U of I.

Are you from the same home town? No

Who is the smartest? Sharman, definitely Sharman

Who majored in what? Sharman majored in Recreation; I majored in Marriage and Family Studies, Psychology and Sociology

Who is most sensitive? Me

Where do you eat out most as a couple? We don't really ever go out just the two of us.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Hawaii

How many children do you want? We have two adorable kiddos

Who does the cooking? Sharman

Who is more social? Me

Who is a neat freak? Sharman

Who is most stubborn? Me

Who wakes up earlier? Sharman

Where was your first date? We went to a place by his apartment and saw the peacocks and got ice cream.

Who has the bigger family? We both come from families of 6 kids.

Do you get flowers often? I did when we were dating. Now generally once or twice a year.

How do you spend the holidays? We spend it with family. Typically Sharman's as they are much closer than mine.

Who is more jealous? Me

How long did it take to get serious? About 1 1/2 months

Who eats more? Sharman

What do you do for a living? Sharman is an Arborist and I am a Financial Aid Advisor at BYU-Idaho.

Who does the Laundry? Sharman

Who is better with the computer? Me

Who drives when you are together? If it is my car then I drive otherwise it is generally Sharman.

What is "your" song? I Love the Way You Love Me by John Michael Montgomery

Halloween 2009

For those of you who don't know....I HATE Halloween. I am seriously the worst mother in the world because I could care less if my kids dressed up, went trick or treating or even celebrated this holiday.

My friend Wendy just had a back procedure done so I took over some pizza for dinner (yeah me and my amazing cooking abilities). Doug and Wendy had us come over and helped the kids get dressed up and sent them out with their kids to enjoy the night. We sat and watched a movie. Yep, I can do this kind of Halloween. But for the record, I still HATE this holiday.

So Busy!

This post is going to be short, to the point and without photos....sorry!

Since the last post, Zack got braces so we now have a tin-grin, silver-smile, metal-mouth tween. And he LOVES them. He is such a trooper.

Syd had her tonsils and adenoids taken out and has recuperated wonderfully even though she did have her teacher call and tell me she was not feeling well (but when I mentioned to her she could have a Popsicle when she got home if she stuck it out she was miraculously better).

Sharman has been busy hunting with his Dad. Nothing yet, but still trying.

As for me, we made if through this year's Primary Program and no one ended up dead. I do have to again apologize to my Primary girls for threatening to kill them if them if they didn't be quiet after sitting next to one incredibly naughty young man.

Blue

I am kind of blue. This has been a rather yucky couple of weeks.

My kiddos have been sick.

I have a co-worker and his wife that after trying for 5 years finally got pregnant with twins through invitro only to miscarry.

One of the members of my ward passed away yesterday morning (although he is now with his sweetheart).

The weather is cold and snowy.

My 11 year old is getting braces (now I feel like I am getting old).

My 6 year old is have surgery and I am nervous.

I miss my family.

Yep, I am BLUE.

Syd's Newest Venture

http://www.rockiemountainstars.com/

Sydney is doing dance this year. As part of her participation she has fund raisers she is doing. Above is the link for her current fund raiser. If you would like anything let us know. THANKS!

Now....on to the rest of the blog.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SYD!

This is a fal-o-kin.

This is a permit crab. They are usually found along the shore of beaches.

This is Jackson's Home.

Our current President, O-Rock Obama.

Finally, the other day I was getting ready to take Syd to the doctor. She wanted to know if this was a real doctor or a dentist doctor. I told her a real doctor. She wanted to know what he was going to do. I told her he would check her ears, nose and throat and see if she needed to get out her tonsils and/or adenoids. That night I heard her relaying to her day that she would not be getting on the bus in the morning because she had to go to the doctor to find out if he needed to take out her lungs.

I love that kid!

Rite of Passage

Today we undertook another rite of passage. We visited the Orthodontist. Looks like we will begin this new venture on the 6th of October. My sweet little boy will no longer be little any more. He will join the ranks of millions of teens around the nation and sport a shiny silver smile. He is ecstatic. Wait until he figures out they have to be on between 1 1/2 and 3 years.

16 Years

16 years ago today I married a 26 year old man from St. Anthony, Idaho in the Jordan River Temple. I never thought we would be at this point so quickly.

Since we have been married we have:

*Moved to college

*Moved to a trailer

*Had the trailer burn while on Christmas break

*Moved to college housing

*Had our college housing flood

*Spent two months in a dorm room

*Graduated from University of Idaho with Bachelors and Masters degrees (way to go Sharman)

*Moved to St. Anthony

*Bought our first house

*Had our first baby (who isn't so little any more.....Mr. 11 year old!!)

*Sold our house

*Had our second baby (who is in 1st grade this year)

*Changed jobs numerous times

*Built a house ourselves

*Saw the passing of three of my family members (Grandma, Ben, Dad)

*Saw the passing of two of his family members (Grandpa and Grandma Martin)

*Attended many a family reunion

* Travelled to Las Vegas and Hawaii together

*Attended many school performances and field trips

*Graduated from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelors and two Associate degrees

*Housed many pets (both domestic and wild)

*Enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, laughing, reading

*Purchased enough vehicles to have our own used car lot on our property

*Planted gardens

*Watched the seasons change way too quickly

*Experienced the attacks of 9/11

*Watched the Rexburg Temple from announcement to dedication

*Started our own business

*Made many friends

*Ride Motorcycles

*Become Aunt and Uncle to incredibly adoreable nieces and nephews who we love beyond measure

*Worked hard and played hard

And to think this is the beginning of eternity. Yep, there is still so much to do and so much to experience. I am glad I have eternity to spend it with you sweetheart. There is no one I would rather enjoy the journey with.

Private

The controversy over whether or not to go private has finally landed in my lap and I have decided to go private. If you want an invitation, let me know. Email me at jensens@byui.edu or leave your email on the comment section. The big event will likely take place on October 1st!

Lost!

I do not do well with stressful situations. I am fine for a while and then all sense of coherency leaves and I become a total idiot. Just as a case in point, when my Dad was in the hospital the day before he passed away, they told me to sign in. That is just great.....why did they have to ask me to do something hard.....LIKE SIGN MY NAME!!! Then they told me to use the elevator and go up one flight to the second floor......fantastic.......HOW DO YOU OPERATE AN ELEVATOR?!!!

Yesterday was a horrible lunch hour for me. I was headed to Sugar City to register the kids for school when I got a phone call from the hubby asking if I had heard from Zack. Well why on earth would Zack call me? Of course I hadn't heard from him. He was attending a soccer clinic from 8 a.m. to noon. Sharman had gone to pick him up and he wasn't there. I told him to look around and wait for a bit as he might have gone to get a drink or use the restroom.

Sharman went home to check to see if he might have either ridden his bike home or caught a ride with someone. Nope, no Zack. He then stopped to ask Aunt Lisa if she had seen him and then stopped by the Byrds to see if he had gone there. Again no Zack.

I got to Sugar City and Sharman still couldn't find Zack. I registered Sydney for school (not very coherently) thanks to much help from my good friend Melissa (you are a life saver!!). By now Zack had been missing for almost an hour. We had called friends, neighbors and anyone else we could think of. The soccer clinic coach had also stayed and was assisting us in looking. I was now beyond frustrated and felt we needed to get additional help. We called the police and reported him missing.

Like all stressful situations, I couldn't remember how tall Zack was or how much he weighed. Now they are asking me what he was wearing. Since I left before he did, I have NO idea what he was wearing. The only identifying feature I can think of are three little red marks in the center of his forehead where he recently had warts frozen off. I am a HORRIBLE parent! The police tell me to stay at the school and they will send someone out.

Meanwhile, on a fluke, Sharman calls Zack's regular soccer coach. Yep, that is exactly where he is. I break down crying. Sharman tells me to call 911 back and tell them he has been located. Ok, no problem. What is the phone number for 911? I cannot cognitively think through the numbers. I can see them and cannot for the life of me figure out what numbers to dial and in what order. After several deep breaths and a knowledge of Zack's safety I realize I can hit redial and don't have to really think this hard.

Zack is safe and sound and I found my mine again. One thing is for sure......I hate it when I cannot find my kiddos! It insights utter panic in me.

Pay It Forward

I am a firm believer in paying other people compliments, especially strangers. After all, a stranger is more likely to tell you the absolute truth. They have no alternative motives.

Normally throughout the day, I will find opportunities to tell a random stranger how nice their outfit, hairstyle or appearance is. I think everyone can use a little pick me up.

The other day (which was a completely stressful day for me), I went to go get pizza and as I walked in, a total stranger complemented me on my skirt. I walked away smiling and feeling really good.

The power of paying it forward really is a wonderful gift.

It is a CRAZY life....but it is MY life

The other day I was trying to remember everything I had to do and decided I really have to get a new day planner.

Here is a brief look into my CRAZY life.

Aug 1 - Family Reunion, Sirri's Friends Party (remember to get Syd a gift to take), Byrds for dinner and playing in the pool
Aug 2 - Fast Sunday, Sirri's Family Party, Put together basketball stand from Zack's birthday presents
Aug 3 - Work, return books to library, return food containers to catering, take Zack to football practice, make dinner for Syd and I, get couch for Jared, clean batteries (3 hours), do dishes, cut Zack's hair, tuck in kiddos
Aug 4 - Work, lunch with Melissa, take Zack to football practice, Zack and Syd have a soccer game (both at 6 p.m.), figure out dinner somewhere in there
Aug 5 - Work, take Zack to football practice
Aug 6 - Work, no lunch, take Zack to football practice, Zack and Syd have a soccer game (both at 5 p.m.), figure out dinner somewhere in there
Aug 7 - Work, take Zack to football practice, help serve at a friend's reception
Aug 9 - Teach Primary
Aug 11 - Work, take Zack to football practice, Zack and Syd have a soccer game, try to register kiddos sometime between now and the 13th
August 14 - 18 Family Vacation in Utah
August 19 - Office Service Project, take Zack to football practice
August 20 - First day of school for kiddos, Dentist, Soccer game for both kiddos, Take Zack to football practice

Pretty much every Tuesday and Thursday from now until September 1 look identical with additional miscellaneous things thrown in sporadically.

Yep it is a crazy life, but it is MY life.

Help!

Ok, so I planted a garden this year. Hurray!!!! Yes, I know that is truly the exciting part of this entire thing.

I love being out and weeding my garden. The kiddos and my sweet husband will come out and visit with me while I do this and I really enjoy the feeling I get when my garden actually looks like a garden and not a weed patch.

Now comes the part that I am in SERIOUS need of help. I can plant the garden, weed the garden, and harvest from the garden. What I cannot do is preserve what I have harvested. If you have any ideas of how to store what I have let me know. And yes, Lisa I do need you to repost the steps for blanching peas. Although I know now, next year I will have forgotten again.

My Girls

I currently teach the 11 year old girls in Primary. I LOVE this calling!! Yes, I know all of you who know me are shocked that I would say the words Primary and love in the same sentence but I really do love this calling. The reason? My GIRLS!! Here are just a few of them. Oh I Love them so much!!!

Ashlie Beagley

Natasha, Ashley and Nitchelle Meyers

Channing Harris and Cheyene Plank

Tayvri Clay

Angela Rihari

Heily Snook

Savannah McDonald

Cameron Brown

All Alone

Since turning 11 last week, Zack is able to go to scout camp as long as his Dad goes with him. This is great. They get to spend lots of time together (with no little sister vying for Dad's attention) and by the end of the week it is possible that Zack will have his 1st Class rank in scouting.

The down side?......Syd and I are all alone this week. I have a large honey-do list from Sharman and hate cooking so this is going to be one LONG week. The up side?........with everything on the honey-do list, this week will be over before I know it.

Happy Birthday Not So Little Man

Eleven years ago today this bright eyed little boy entered the world. Boy how he has grown!!

I love those eyes and his cute little dimple!!

He is always so happy when he is outdoors.

When Zack was six he had someone else come into the world on his birthday.....his cousin Connor. As you can see, they sure do have fun together. Zack really loves this kid!

Each day I watch as my sweet little baby turns into a young man. Yes I am getting a bit choked up right now. I swear I just brought him home from the hospital and next year he is going to receive the priesthood and be able to pass the sacrament. I am SO not ready for this. Oh well, better hold on and remember that this ride is much faster than we realize.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

New Blog

For those of you who follow my blog and are members of the Salem 3rd Ward, I have created a blog exclusively for us. Just go to http://salem3rdward.blogspot.com/ and be a part of the group.

He's HERE!!

Yep, it is official.....Tyler Jordan Fillingim is finally here!! I am so excited.

Check out those chubby long legs!!

Love the dark hair! He is sure a cutie!!

He has the cutest nose!

I have already told Mack and Laurie to tell him every day a million times that I love him the best. We will see if brainwashing really does work. hehehehe

Like the Big People Do

Sometimes I watch my kids and have to just laugh. They want so much to do the things that "Big People" do. This past weekend we watched and laughed as they did some things like that. Here are a few photos:

Sharman, Sydney and Jackie waiting for Old Faithful to erupt (in the rain)

Jackie, Sydney and Zack trying to stay dry in the rain while waiting for Old Faithful.

Posing for a photo with one of the sculpted buffalo in West Yellowstone. And just like a good "Mommy," Sydney is holding her "baby" up for the photo.

After seeing his Dad fill his water bottle, Zack is right there to fill up one too at this natural spring on the way to West Yellowstone.

Sharman wanted a photo so we stopped and took one here by the natural spring.

Living in the middle of the family farm leaves lots of things to be "picked up" or mowed. Sharman is towing a small trailer and Sydney is there to "pick up" the sticks and rocks she finds.

That was a lot of work so she had to go get her chair and put it in the back of the trailer so she was more comfortable.

You can see she has her hands in her pockets, her coat on and her legs stretched out relaxing, I mean working.

Zack was asked to go get the weed eater and then to edge along the driveway and the ditches. If you drive by our place it actually looks like we are attempting to get our place in decent condition. Meanwhile, I could be found weeding the garden. Sorry no photo on that one. I was the one with the camera.