Lora Says...

So, we were listening to music on the way home today. The song that was playing was, "Hey There Delilah" by the Plain White T's. I don't know why but a few weeks ago she started singing the chorus to this around the house. "Oh! It's what you do to me!" Anyway, today that part of the song came on and she said, "Mom! What is someone doing to him?" I try to explain that he is singing about a girl that he is in love with and it's making him happy. " She didn't buy it and I had to go on about how when you are in love it makes you get special feelings inside. So then she's quiet and says, "Is the girl he's in love with named Oh?" 

Lora Says...

Some of Lora's recent questions...

Mom, how many naps do sharks take? Maybe 10.

Mom, do cats get raisin paws? (She thinks it's funny that she gets "raisin" fingers when she is in the bathtub for a long time)

Mom, is 10 a lot? (No, not really Lora) Oh, okay, then I am going to have 10 brothers!

In loving Memory.. Pt 2

Hey Jo! I think that is a great idea!

After Eric and I got engaged we immediately planned a trip down south so that we could visit his Grandparents. But before that when we met early on I was introduced to a little book and it was entitled, " Music and the Gospel in the Key of "J". I thought it was so sweet and I loved the "and Jerry LaMar so far..." Eric share with me many cherished memories of his Grandparents and I couldn't wait to meet them!

Grandma and Grandpa J. were so sweet and kind to me. And as Aunt Terry put it, "If a person loved their Grandchild, that was good enough for her. She loved them unconditionally." That is exactly the feeling I had. Grandma J. treated me just like I was one of her own. We had so much fun talking and hear fun stories of when Eric was little. She loved Eric and her family so much. I loved Grandpa J.'s chuckles and jokes.

Grandma was always up and about tending to Grandpa's needs. She lived to serve others and to lift them with her loving concern. I loved all the blankets she sent our way. We always knew she was thinking of us.

Whenever Eric talked on the phone to Grandma, she would always say, "Please tell Julie I love her!" It always meant so much to me. I feel so blessed to have her apart of my life and to have had her love.

Lora Says...

Lora: (As we are driving home from Parowan) Mom, why does that sunshine not have pokey sings (things)?

Me: Pokey things?

Lora: Yes, that sunshine does not have pokey sings.

Me: (Finally realizing that she is talking about the rays we always draw when we draw pictures of the sun) Oh, well, we just draw the rays of sunshine when we draw it on the paper. It's not really pokey things when we look at it.

Lora: I don't like those pokey sings. I'm not going to draw them again!

In Loving Memory...

Hey all! I don't know how many of you guys read and post on this, but I thought I would be cool if we wrote a little something about Grandma. I always love to hear what stuck out most to others about people we love. Mom also wanted us to write something down, like a page or whatever, that we could compile and put with Grandma's life history. I'll start.

 I remember so much cool stuff about Grandma. First of all, she always had a bowl full of gum in the cupboard, and she always let me have some. Also, she had boxed cereal that we never really got at home, so eating breakfast was a cool treat! I remember the stuffed dog that was in the upstairs guest room with the barrel under its chin, playing Oregon Trail on the computer, and loving to have my pick of the seemingly endless musicals in her video collection! 

 Grandma is a big reason why I love reading so much. Books were important to her and she always had great reads in the computer room. I loved finding something new to read. I think the best memory I have of Grandma is going to the Reading Conference. Eric didn't go that year, so it was Jaime and me. We were the only kids there, but I still remember sitting in the classrooms and being interested in what they presented. I love to show my students books that are signed by authors who I was able to meet in person at the conference. Grandma was always willing to share her love of education with us, even though many thought we were too young to appreciate it. We weren't and we do!

 Love you Grandma!

Our newest "Jensen Girl"

I just have to post and say how great yesterday was! It was so fun to see our Jeff take the next step in life and be sealed to Lindsey. What a neat thing to think of our family and that we are all worthy to be there together!

I do have to say though, that it was sad to be missing 2 of us! I am, however, honored and proud to have a brother in the army... I can't wait to see him after his training! And I am also proud and happy that Jerry is almost done with his honorable service to the Lord. How blessed we are to have such a family!

I love you guys!!

Lora Says...

So, today was a sad day for Lora! Goldie's time has passed. How sad to watch Lora cry and cry because she doesn't have a pet anymore! She keeps saying that she thinks Goldie swam away, and now she needs to get a fish that talks to her! So, my streak of killing fish before their time is still going strong! I need Jay's expert advise I guess!

Lora Says...

So yesterday I took Lora to a class at Thanksgiving Point in the Dinosaur Museum. It was specifically for 2-3 year olds and a parent to check out the "ocean life" in the museum. We had a great time, Lora loved looking at the exhibits, especially the really, really, really large shark head. But the thing she loved most of all was getting a goldfish to take home. (She finally has a pet!) We got it all set up in a bowl and on the table. When I walked back into the room, she was standing on her step-stool with the fish (Goldie) in her fist. 

Me: Lora!!! What are you doing? (Trying not to look too hard at all the water on the table)

Lora: But mom.... I just wanted to give her a kiss! 

   She then gives her hand a kiss and plops the fish back in the bowl. I really couldn't believe she caught the thing, so I'll give her a gold star for hand-eye coordination, and I hope Goldie didn't suffer any permanent damage being squeezed in the fist of a 3 year old!

Jaden's White Birthday Party

Only 15 days until I'm a Mrs. Jensen!

The finished prouduct! Hopefully you have all recieved your copies in the mail! And they had BETTER be on your fridge : )









We cannot WAIT to be married!

Lora Says...

So, we spent the weekend in St. George (which Lora still thinks is a person, "I'm really gonna miss him, mom"), and here are a couple funny things which are so Lora.

1-She kept calling the elevator the "alligator." Today at Grandma's she built a large tower with duplos and told me that it was an alligator. Jeff was confused until I could explain.

2- After we finally said she could swim, even though it was too cold, Adam took her for a few minutes. He went under the water and when he came back up Lora said, "Daddy, you look like a newrd (nerd)."

3- She was asking if we were there yet on the way home and at about Fillmore she decided that we would be there in 10 more minutes. So she began the countdown and was really disappointed when we weren't home by the time she got to 0.

Lora Says...

A. So, let me preface... for some reason, still unknown to me, Adam has always made up the silly word "goobly-goo" when he talks with Lora. It has no meaning and can be put into any book or song in the place of the correct word. Lora tells him when he is going to read a book to her, "don't read it goobly-goo." Here's the conversation that happened as we were making a craft today.

Me: They are almost ready to put the google-eyes on!

Lora: Mom, can you open the goobly eyes? 

Me: I will open them when the paint is dry.

Lora: I love goobly eyes! They are fun!

B. 

Lora: (As she pulls out a carton of strawberries from the fridge) Here mom! Cut the stomachs off! 

Lora Says...

As we were walking in to Cafe Rio for lunch today,

Lora: Mom, that car doesn't have a top!

Me: Yes, Lora, it's called a convertible.

Lora: Oh! A conbertible. I want one of those!

Me: Yeah, that would be nice!

Lora: Maybe Heavenly Father will send us one. (pause) And a little sister. (pause) And a fish!

Me: Maybe so...

Lora Says...

So, yesterday Lora grabbed a marker off of my counter and said, "Mom, I need to make an omserbation." It took me a couple of seconds to decide that she was saying observation. So I asked her, "What are you going to make an observation about?" She decided on the snow. Then she said, "I will make an omserbation and then I will write down what I found." I'm pretty sure that I didn't know what observation meant until I was much older than 3. As Jackie says, "She is like the prodigal baby!"

Lora Says...

Today while watching tv,

Lora: Mom! I need it to be quiet!

Me: Why?

Lora: (with her hands covering her ears) Because this is NOT music to my ears!

Lora Says...

Me: When we go to St. George, we will have to try out the new "Pirate Pizza" place.

Lora: What did you say?

Me: (Repeated)

Lora: What did you say?

Adam: We are going to a different city on a little trip.

Lora: Oh! (with an excited smile) We are going to Curious George!

Close enough Lora, close enough!

Lora Says...

The conversation in the bathtub today:

Me: Okay, let's get you scrubbed (with body wash).

Lora: (After she has bubbles all over) I look like a snowman!

Me: (Laughing) Yes you do!

Lora Says...

So, for some reason Lora has been asking for a pet every day for the past couple of months. It is the most random things as we haven't had one since she was really tiny. Today's conversation in the car went like this:

Lora: (Sigh...) I'm feeling lonely.

Adam: You're feeling lonely? Why?

Lora: Because I just need a pet. (She says it Pay-et)

Adam: What kind of a pet would you like?

Lora: I need a dog. (No hesitation whatsoever)

Me: Lora, you know we can't get a dog, I've told you that many times.

Lora: I know, but I would really, really love it. (In the most pleading break your heart tone)

Adam: Can't we? (He has such a hard time saying no to his little girl)

Me: Must I always be the practical one?

Lora Says:

So, we have been reading the Scripture Stories books with Lora. We started the Doctrine and Covenants because that's the new reading for Sunday School this year. So one of the first stories is about Joseph Smith when he had part of the bone cut out from his leg. Well, for some reason Lora has been absolutely intrigued by this story. We have read it like 3 nights in a row. So she has been so curious about why he didn't drink the wine. I told her it was because Heavenly Father says it's not good for our bodies. Lunch time conversation went like this:

Lora: Mom, Heavenly Father told Joseph Smith that wine is not good for our bodies.

Me: Right.

Lora: Why is it not good for our bodies?

Me: Because it has stuff in it that is not good for us.

Lora: But milk is good for our bodies.

Me: Yes, you are right.

Lora: I like lots of drinks, they are good for our bodies. Milk is good for us, Coke is good for us, juice is good for us...

You can tell what my favorite drink is!

Lora Says...

Lora: Mom, let's play fetch.

Me: Okay Lora, but it's called catch.

Lora: Oh! Let's play catch. It's my turn to throw the ball. I'm the quarterback.

Me: (Gasping in shock and excitement) My daughter is going to love football! Yesssssss! (Picture the fist coming down towards my stomach)

Happy Birthday Jaden and Eric!

It is so hard to believe that Jaden is 8 years old! And to bring in the special day, Jaden didn't want to sleep a wink literally! Jaycee reported this morning as she was helping her Mom prepare the traditional birthday breakfast, that when she got up to use the restroom at 2am Jaden was still up! When asked about not going to bed Jaden replied, " I was just too excited! I couldn't go to sleep." Jaden's Mom reminded him that not only it was his birthday but his Daddy's too, so he can't be grumpy due to lack of sleep.

Eric (Who's age will remain off the record) however had quite the opposite experience. He was able to sleep in till 8am and enjoy a rather relaxing morning because Julie was home for work. He actually received a goodbye hug and kiss before he went off to work. Later the family all convened at Calvin Smith Elementary to celebrate a birthday lunch in the lunchroom. Where they ate Jaden's beloved sandwich, chips, carrots, and apples. Jared loved the chocolate milk so much he wanted to wear it.

Happy Birthday to Jaden and Eric. WE LOVE YOU!!! :)

Thank you to all of Eric's and Jaden's family and friends who gave such thoughtful gifts and warm birthday wishes!!

Lora

 So today Lora asked me to read her the book "Chrysanthemum." She gets into something and has to do it over and over and over. So I read it to her and then she said, "Now I will read it." I was expecting just her little made up versions of pictures, but this time was different. She has actually heard it enough that she was able to say almost the exact words for the whole story! I have to think my daughter is smart because I am her mom (or as Jackie would say, she is the prodigal baby!), but really... she was saying the following words from the book:

- envelope

- Oh Pish

- winsome

 It was hilarious! Hearing a 3 year old say "winsome" come on! Anyway, I am going to see if I can get her to "read" it again and record it this time. I would love to save it for years to come!

Lora

So, Lora got a set of Scholastic movies for Christmas. They are just well-known picture books that have the illustrations animated a bit. Her favorite one is "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes. This is really funny because she can't say the name very well, it sounds a bit like, "Crsanfenum." She walks around the house quoting little sayings, "Crsanfenum's a daisy, Crsanfenum's a daisy." I can't help but laugh at the silly way she says things! (Poscaple for popsicle; biscaple for bicycle)

Congrats to Jaime and Jason Tull!

Just a quick post to say congrats to Jaime and Jason Tull, who welcomed a healthy baby boy to the earth today. Logan Clifford Tull was born at 11:08 am this morning. Baby and Mom are doing great. What a blessing!!! We send our love to the Tull family!