Saturday, April 24, 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Testimony

First off, pause the music on the right side of the page so you can watch this video. If you click on the video, it will take you to YOU TUBE and you'll be able to see the whole screen.
The spirit I felt as I watched this was so great, words can not describe.

I have never been able to imagine the pain and trials the prophet Joseph Smith and his family went through to organize Christ's church. However, since I have started my family, I have come to realize just how much a wife loves her husband. I love Stewart more than anything and I worry about him everyday. I often worry about silly things; is he getting good grades? is he doing well at work? I also worry about the everyday things; why isn't he answering his phone? is he safe driving on the roads? As I watched this video clip, my heart went out to Emma Smith. I can not imagine wondering if my husband will come home each night. I can not imagine loosing sleep, wondering when the mob will return. I can not imagine watching my husband being handcuffed and taken prisoner. I can't imagine wondering if this would be the last time I would hold my husband, or kiss him, or even hear his voice. I can not imagine being left a young widow with a family to care for alone. Can you imagine? Emma had to have had such a special relationship with our Heavenly Father. She had to have had the Holy Ghost as her faithful, unceasing companion. She must have had so much faith to endure through the trials of everyday life. I hope that I can be a little more like Emma Smith. I hope I can be strong and faithful in times of despair and hardship. I would like to add my testimony to Elder Holland's, that I know the Book of Mormon is True. I know that it is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. I'm so thankful for the sacrifices that were made by he and his family. I know that Christ atoned for my sins and for the sins of the world because he loves us. I know I am a Child of God, and he also loves us. I'm thankful for a true modern day prophet. I know that if we do what is right, and have faith, we need not fear. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A few of her Favorite things...

Raindrops on Roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens... aren't really what Addison is in to lately... BUT she really does enjoy spending her time doing a variety of activities! Here are a few of her favorites...
...watching TV in her boppy (and her boppy in general)...
...Playing or working outside. She really loves to watch Rambo and the kitties run around... and she LOVES her little yellow hat!....
...She loves diaper changes and squirming around on her changing table...
...She loves being Naked!....
...she loves her car seat and riding in the car!....
....she loves to take naps....
....she loves her swing...
....and she even loves naps IN her swing! :) ....
...She loves bath time! She loves her bath toys and even loves her little swimming suit!....
....She loves to toot, and she does it A LOT!.....
...she loves to chill on the couch with mom (not always being held), to just let loose!....
....She loves Story time!....she also loves....
Falling asleep to a good bedtime story!

Monday, April 12, 2010

California Trip Day #3- SEA WORLD!

On our second day IN California we decided to go to Sea World. All the times we've been to California we've never gone, so we decided to "experience" it. And I say "experience" because it sure was one- One that we will only do once :) It's not that it wasn't fun, it was just kind of a let-down compared to what it's hyped up to be. The Shows were phenomenal! We saw the shamoo show and the sea lion show- and it was good we made it to those. They were great! But the rest of the park was the type of thing that we could have just seen at a zoo or aquarium.
Shamoo. (And he didn't eat anyone... this time ;) I was a little disappointed Align Centerthat the trainers didn't swim with them. But it was good.
The sea lion show. I can't believe people can train these animals! They were awesome! After we went to the sea lion "cove" where you could feed them fish. Me and Stew were so entertained! The sea lions would come up and bark at you if you acted like you were going to feed them! And the birds would attack the people with fish! It was kinda scary! But really funny.
"Petting" the stingrays. They were HUGE!
This is how Addison spent most of the day. And it was St. Patty's day- that's why she's wearing green :) And yes- that's the smallest hat we could find... and no- she didn't really like it much the whole trip :)

California Trip Day #2 - THE BEACH!!

Back to recapping the good times from our spring break trip to California! On day two we went to Huntington Beach. The weather was SO perfect! It was Stewart and Addison's first time ever at the ocean and while Addison chilled under the umbrella or in her snugglie, Stewart tried his hand at surfing!
Here's the trio. In California we stayed with our friends the Odells. Their son Matt and his wife live in Huntington and Matt was kind enough to take Jon and Stew out on the waves. It looked like it was A LOT of work! Stewart got out pretty far, but tossed his cookies and came back in. (I think that it's hard to swim in the ocean anyway- getting used to the salt and the waves-so I think it was awesome that he was brave enough to try surfing much less swimming!)
Align CenterMy dad's brother Niel and his family drove down from Lancaster and spent the day at the beach with us too! It was fun to play with their kids and see them in their element! They sure are California kids! They were playing in the water in just their swimming suits! It wasn't too cold, but I didn't think it was that warm! They sure are cute kids!
Addison just cAlign Centerhillin on the beach! She was such a good baby the whole trip! I think she really liked the sound of the crashing waves- they seemed to soothe her.
Grandma and Grandpa doing their grand-parenting duties :) They were such big helps with Addison- and she loves them so much!
Stew playing in the waves on a body board.
Jon and JoAnna on the beach. (Yes- we're from Idaho and it's been a long winter ;)

After we were done playing in the water, we drove down the Laguna beach. Matt and Melody know this private little beach where the tide pools are really good. By the time we got there the tide was coming in so we didn't get to explore the pools. But the beach here was gorgeous! The sun was setting and it looked like a picture from a travel pamphlet.
So anytime we traveled in California it seemed like it took forever (even though we often used the fast pass lane -(which we didn't realize we'd be ticketed for... and Garmin said so...) so we just went the fastest way right? Anywho- going to Huntington from Yucipa usually takes about an hour and a half. On the way home there was a bad wreck on the freeway and it took us FOUR HOURS to get back to Yucipa! We were all exhausted from being in the sun all day-but thankfully we have good parents who stayed awake to inch forward every few minutes. This was the craziest thing I've EVER seen! People were running out of gas all over the place!
I was very thankful for my parent's nice travel van at this time in particular! JoAnna is watching TV, Jon is sleeping, Stewart is laying on the floor in front of the seat that I'm laying on, and Addison was in the car seat at my head. At least through the traffic jam we were comfortable :)

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend started on Friday night. We went out to Gramma Bingham's for an Easter egg hunt with all the family. Due to the snow that was coming down like crazy (and sticking) we missed the egg hunt, but we did have SO much fun hanging out with everyone! The house was noisy and full of tickling, screaming, eating, yelling around, and all around just a plain ol good time! We LOVE our family and are so glad that they are close and that we're close too!! (And Grandpa Wally- we missed you!!)
Addison's cute little Easter outfit. She had to wear it to Gramma's since we had general conference on SundayOn Saturday we had to go to Twin to get some stuff. We went to Lowe's for some crafting supplies, and when I came around the corner this is what I found. Now that we have a kid Stewart can justify having to drive the race car :)
This was another reason we had to go to Lowe's. My parents bought a brand new John Deere riding lawn mower. Now for the grass!! :) My dad was so excited! He made them bring out each different mower so he could pick the very best, most un-touched one. He was so cute!Gramma Jensen stole Addison as soon as they got to the store, and they hung out in the patio furniture the whole time we were shopping! She found a nice rocker and Addison got a pretty good nap (even with all the "fix it" noises).After going to Twin we went out to Dietrich. I finished my jewelry hanging board (after a year) and had a fun time hanging out with Lindy and Nancy. Uncle Spencer got the chance to feed Addison for the first time too! He's a natural at this stuff-and Addison sure loves him!Finally!! EASTER SUNDAY!! Addison found her Easter basket in her swing and it was filled with some great gifts! She got this little rabbit, some new binkis (since we lost all the other ones) a cute Easter outfit, a rabbit burp cloth set, some candy, and a snugglie blankie. You know- one of those stuffed animal/blankie combos that's small-so instead of dragging around a huge blanket and a stuffed animal she can just take this with her! She loves it! In the above pic- Stew put her rabbit on the blanket next to her and she grabbed it and pulled it up to her face! What a smartie!Here's our little honey bunny all dressed up for her first Easter! What a cutie!
Here's Grampa Jensen... trying to feed her steak... at two months old. Go figure :) We had my family, and Nancy and Spencer over to our house for Easter dinner. (Again- Grampa Wally- WE MISSED YOU!) It was such a fun evening! We had deer steaks, pork chops, real mashed potatoes, asparagus and squash, salad, and deviled eggs. AND for dessert- root beer floats and brownies. It was way yummy and SO much fun! It was so perfect to have general conference this weekend too! It brought the best spirit into our house!

Addison all snuggled up!
Align Centershowing off her bunny ears for momEven though we all had a ton of fun- at the end of the day the only thing that could make Addison happy was to be naked and laying on the floor. What a girl! :)

Boy's State Basketball

This is probably the oldest of my "to post" trips. Our trip to Boise for Dietrich's State Basketball tournament slash our anniversary get-away. The only time I will permit Addison to sport Dietrich wear is when she's cheering for family. I made her some cute jerseys for this trip. My favorite says on the front "I'm rootin for..." and on the back it says "Grandpa. #1". Of course whenever we make Addison cute outfits for special occasions she either pees, poos or spits-up profusely on them. This trip was no different. :)
For the anniversary part of it we went to Tucanos Brazilian Grill. It was expensive, but SO yummy!! I was really nervous about eating Brazilian food, but it was surprisingly DELICIOUS!
Like Father like daughter?? I had just fed and changed Addison and went to the bathroom. This is what I found when I came back. Both of them crashed and watching TV. I think it's genetic :)