Home Sweet Home

Yep, it looks like a large greenhouse. But it is home sweet home to us. This is the home we built ( and I mean we as in mostly Sharman). It is passive solar which means we are completely off of the grid. Translation.....no power bills.......ever. Of course it isn't conventional and so there are some things I do without (like a power bill) but it is worth not having the expense of the power bill, water bill, garbage bill, septic bill, etc. We are pretty self sufficient and love that our home has a wonderful view of the city of Rexburg at night. Our favorite site is.......

the temple being completed in Rexburg (public open house will run from Saturday, December 29, 2007, through Saturday, January 26, 2008. Closed on Sundays. The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, February 3, 2008.) It is wonderful living here in the Upper Valley of the Snake River.

Autumn Is Here!!

Saturday Sydney and I were playing in the living room when there was a knock at the front door. Our neighbor down the road had pulled up on her 4-wheeler with a trailer full of pumpkins. She asked if we wanted any. We took two medium sized ones and about ten small ones.

After putting them on the porch we decided it needed something more. The kids and I grabbed buckets and headed to the trees. We filled our buckets full of fallen leaves and then tossed them around the pumpkins. We had so much fun "decorating" our porch. It looks so cute. One thing is for sure.....AUTUMN IS HERE!!!

What A Bike!!

So many of you have asked for a photo of what Sharman and my motorcycles actually look like so I thought I would add them here so you can see.

This is Sharman's bike. It is a Yamaha Road Star. It is beer bottle brown in color.

This is my bike. It is a Yamaha 650. It is silver in color.

Jerry, Jerry, Sharman Jensen, How Does Your Garden Grow?

With tomatoes and pepper plants all in a row (along the length of the planter bed)! I got tired of the tomato plants taking over my bedroom so I cut them back and low and behold there were actually tomatoes there hidden below the massive green branches.

Sharman uses his tomatoes and peppers to make homemade salsa. He even made some last week when we were in Utah for conference.

Simple Acts of Kindness

This past weekend brought with it many different acts of simple kindness. I wanted to share a couple of them with you.

First, while watching conference, I was touched by the way Elder Nelson came and held Elder Wirthlin as he gave his talk. What a sweet experience to see these two giants together and in the act of such kind acts of service.



We had all the cousins together and it was crazy with six kids running around in a home without being able to go outside. Mom took the kids downstairs so that they could play quietly while we watched conference. Then Zack said, "but you are going to miss conference Nana." She said that it was ok because she could read it when the Ensign came out.

My sweet companion drove the entire way home because I didn't get any rest the night before. He held my hand and listened to the final session of conference with me. What a great guy. I sure appreciate him and his willingness to do these small things for me.

Finally, when we got ready to leave, we were handed a bag of sandwiches for our trip home so that we would not have to stop on Sunday. Mom you are amazing. You will never know how much your simple acts of kindness to our family this past weekend meant to me. I love you.

Opposites Attract

I have always heard that opposites attract, but until recently, I didn't think I would see that in my own life. Two children bring with them two very different personalities. I love both of my children dearly as each adds a special quality to our family.

Zack is an avid reader and will sit and read for hours. He is awesome in math. He is a night owl. He loves to sleep in just like I do. Movies are a highlight of his life. Making his bed and cleaning his room are some of the least important things in his life.

Sydney is easily bored with listening to stories. She has a hard time sitting through a movie because there are so many other fun things to get (popcorn, drink, blanket, visit with a friend, etc.) while that is playing. She is an early bird like her Dad and enjoys "working out" with him in the morning. Her room is spotless and her shoes are all lined up in a row. She is a neat freak.

Last night my little neat freak came into my room and noticed my bed was not made (sorry Mom but it isn't that big of deal to me) and hurried me and Sharman out. She then proceeded to make our bed with all of the blankets and pillows lined neatly around it to form a type of nest if you will. She proudly came out and got us and ushered us back into our room to an amazingly made bed. When I crawled into bed last night I could not believe that the sheets were pulled up the proper way and all of the blankets were straight on the bed. My little neat freak sure made my night!!

My children are as opposite as day and night. There are times they fight like cats and dogs. However, when they decide to play together, their laughter is music to my ears.

What Does It Take To Make A Family

Sisters that love you and laugh and care....

Brothers that run and chase and share.....

Cousins that know secrets and are your best friend.....

People that love you to the end!!!