President LeBaron's Funeral

It was hard to hold back the tears when I learned that my dear mission president, Milo LeBaron, had passed away.  He was an amazing mission "dad", leader and friend.  He is the most loving man I have ever known.  I had the unique opportunity to serve closely to President and Sister LeBaron at the end of my mission when I was called as AP.  I personally have seen their love for the Lord, His church and for the missionaries.  I learned a lot from Pres. LeBaron that I hope I will never forget.

I am really grateful that I was able to travel to Mesa for his funeral.  It was neat to learn some things about him that I hadn't previously known and it was very good to see Sister LeBaron.  It has been at least two years since I have seen them, and over seven years since I was a missionary!  I loved catching up with some of the amazing sisters I served with (and met some that I didn't have the pleasure of serving with).  But most of all, this past weekend renewed me spiritually.  So many mission memories have been brought to my remembrance.  I was reminded of the missionary fire that I had while on Temple Square and the love that was felt and shared there.  President LeBaron will always have a special place in my heart and memory.  143!

Temple Square sisters with Sister LeBaron

We got to sing during the funeral along with other missionaries that have served with the LeBarons (He was mission president three times, along with being the Mesa Visitor Center directors twice.)  It was an emotional, yet neat experience to sing to President and his family, "Called to Serve" and his favorite hymn, "Love One Another".  

Jerilyn Hartley and I

My baby!- Marlene (Hernandez), Alanna (Head) and the Jensens....we would play ball with Elder Jensen sometimes

Darci (Lucas) and I

Katie (Anderson) and Marlene

An AP 5 generation picture....Sisters Abe, McCallister, Hernandez, Head, Otto.

(One had to be photoshopped in though)

Thanks to all of you for making my mission (and this weekend) special. And wherever we are, remember that we are always "Called to Serve" and to "Love One Another"! 

Olympic Gymnastics

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love gymnastics.  Yes, I did gymnastics when I was younger and competed all through high school....but nothing compared to what you see the elite gymnasts on TV doing.  Ten plus years later, I still miss being up on the balance beam, springing off the vault and doing back-handsprings on just about any flat surface (including church dances to show up the boys).  I sometimes wish I could do it all again.  We had an amazing, fun, and united team, many of whom I am still friends with.  I think if I had a second chance, I could do even better...but maybe not, since I am much too tall for the sport :)  I can still do a pretty good handstand and can flip around on the trampoline, but I must now live vicariously through those gymnasts on TV.

It has been extremely fun to watch the Olympics this year.  That's what we do most every night (and thanks to DVR, we can watch anything we missed during the day as well).  Without say, the USA women's team has been amazing!  I, of course, was super excited when they won gold and when Gabby won gold in the all-around.  I must admit that I even teared up a couple of times.  I also love the reminiscing the nation is doing about the 1996 Olympic champion team....the Magnificent 7.  Those Olympic Games were very memorable to me, especially as I had watched the gymnasts all year prepare and compete.  I especially remember how fun and crowd-pleasing their floor routines were (no offense to the gymnasts now).  And then there was Kerri Strug's final vault....so courageous, so historic, so memorable. After the Olympics, the gymnasts on both the women's and men's teams did a tour, which was super fun to go see.  Anyway, to complement my trip down memory lane, I have been watching a few of the routines from 1996 on YouTube.  Very enjoyable.

After 16 years, this is the routine that has always stuck in my head...

And there was Shannon Miller's flawless beam routine....  No full-twisting flips in this, but look at her handstand skills!  She won an individual gold with this routine.

 

Who You Are - Hilary Weeks

Tonight we had a stake Relief Society dinner and presentation by Hilary Weeks.  I was of course excited to go just for a little time with other women and to hear Hilary sing.  But I did not expect that I would leave so uplifted.  It was something that I desperately needed.  (Thank you Chris for re-arranging your night so I could go!)  Hilary spoke mostly on the power of our thoughts and how identifying our positive thoughts and increasing the number of positive thoughts we have on a daily basis can change us.  Lately, I have felt burdened by the amount of seemingly meaningless tasks that I spend my day doing...dishes, cooking, cleaning, laundry, picking up toys....  I wish I could spend all day teaching and playing with my children and working on projects to beautify our home and our lives.  But often, at the end of the day, I feel that I didn't accomplish much.  Since chores seem to be an inevitable part of motherhood, I have been trying to  find some kind of joy in those tasks I do for my family. 

Anyway, tonight's message was renewing.  It strengthened me.  So, I thought that I would share the last song that she sang for us, "Who You Are".  I thought she had written it for me.  (This is a new song, so she doesn't have a video for it yet.  The video below is just one I found on YouTube.  You don't have to watch it, but definitely listen to it.  Though some of the pictures I could relate to!  I contemplated making my own slide show with pictures, but then I thought, "With what spare time?"  Maybe I will in the future.)

“I know you wonder if you’ll ever have a day where the kids stay calm, the laundry’s done and the dishes are put away.  And sometimes you feel like your days are spent and gone and the question running through your mind is, “What have I gotten done?”

And when you finally have a moment to slow down at the end of your day, I know that Father would say,

‘Believe in what you’re doing.  Believe in who you are.  And hold tight to the truth that you’re a daughter of God.  Believe in who you’re becoming.  Believe in who you are.’ 

It may seem simple all the little things you do, but the lives you touch matter so much.  And there’s no one else like you.   And Father needs you to stand tall and faithful.  To be all you can be.  Oh, if you could see what he sees, you’d believe in what you are doing. And you’d believe in who you are.  So hold tight to the truth that you are a daughter of God.  Believe in who you’re becoming, believe in who you are. 

When it’s hard to believe in yourself and you feel that you are beginning to doubt, remember, He believes in what you’re doing. And He believes in who you are.  So don’t lose sight of the truth that you’re a daughter of God.  That He believes in who you’re becoming.  He believes in who you are.”

Christmas ad video

I am so excited for the Christmas season!  It is such a special time. I just wanted to share this little video/advertisement.  So cute.....and so true.  

Temple in El Salvador!

Chris served his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Salvador, El Salvador from 2001 to 2003.  We were able to visit for 10 days in August of 2008, which was an amazing experience for me.  It was so fun to see where Chris served, to meet some of the wonderful individuals and families he taught, and to see the country.  We were excited to hear the news that the temple there was finished and dedicated just this past August.  I can just imagine the excitement of the members there.  This morning I watched a short video about the dedication and the impact the new temple has had on a particular family there.  I couldn't hold back the tears!  It was a good start to my day and reminded me of the blessings of the temple and how grateful I am to have one (o.k., multiple ones) so close!

4 Year Anniversary!

Yesterday Chris and I celebrated our anniversary.  It seems like we have married longer than four years....in a good way of course.  It just seems that Chris has always been a part of my life.  I am very blessed to be married to him!  He is an amazing husband and a super dad. We have had so much fun over the last four years and I am excited about the future.  There is no one else I would rather learn, live and raise a family with.  Thought it would be fun to post a couple pictures from our wedding day.

It was nice of Grandma to babysit last night so we could go to the temple.  We haven't gone together in a while, so it was very refreshing.  We then hit up a new frozen yogurt place (also refreshing).  It was a simple night due to Chris working late and having a nursing infant, but it was great to spend some time alone with Chris.  Since we are low on funds, I gave Chris a homemade present, which actually I am quite proud of.  His "love me" pillow was quite fun to do and I even discovered that I am a pretty good cross-stitcher. :)  And per tradition, I learned a song, "Feels Like Home", on the guitar for him.

  Love you Chris!

Moments That Matter Most

This is my favorite Mormon Messages video so far. It made me tear up, especially since I could relate to all of the "moments" in this video.  It is based on my favorite talk from October 2010 General Conference....President Uchtdorf's address titled, "Of Things That Matter Most".  His words helped me remember once again what my priorities should be.  It reminded me that it is o.k. (even best) to slow down a bit and not to focus on the endless to-do list, but to focus on the significant, divine things.  He said, "Lift up [your] eyes and truly see the things that matter most."  Pres. Uchtodorf talked about four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves.   I am constantly reminding myself that it is good to just sit down with Kylie and play or to just chill as a family and talk; that I don't have to be constantly doing something.  Those little tasks aren't what is most important in the eternal scheme of things.  "Strength comes not from frantic activity but from....paying attention to the divine things that matter most."

To the Fathers in My Life

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so,

He called it ... Dad

– Anonymous 

I first want to pay tribute to my father.  Not only is today Father's Day, but it is also my dad's birthday!  He is one amazing dad.  He has taught me so many things throughout my life.  He is a hard worker and is the ultimate do-it-yourself guy.  But he also knows how to have fun and is always making me laugh. 

Father/daughter golf outing- April 2010

It has been so fun to watch my dad become a grandpa!  Kylie loves him lots and always has fun with him.  She especially loved jumping on the trampoline with him when we visited last year.

Kylie and her grandpa A- April 2010

Dad, you are awesome.  I love you so much and am so grateful for you!  I miss you!

Daytona Beach family vacation- May 2011

My Grandpa Abe is also a great example of hard work.  I think that it is neat that he's so happy when he is working on a project or trying to fix something.  I wish that we could see you more often Grandpa!

G-Grandpa Abe and Kylie-April 2010

I have so many great memories with Grandpa Jensen.  He has taught me so many valuable lessons, but his example of kindness and charity will always stand out.  I always look forward to spending time with Grandpa, whether it be working up at the cabin or playing card games. 

Grandpa J and Kylie- June 2009

My "new" dad is the best father-in-law anyone could ever ask for!  I love him for his kindness and of course for his sense of humor.  He is a wonderful father and grandpa.  Kylie is always excited to see "Pa" (maybe because he always shares his ice cream and Almond Joys?).

Grandpa B with Kylie- Jan. 2011

And finally, I want to recognize my favorite person in the whole wide world....my best friend, my husband, and the father of my children.  Chris is the perfect match for me and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for the chance to be with him.  He is so kind, loving, fun, creative, smart, and funny, among many other things.  But with today being Father's Day, I want to mention what an awesome dad he is!  It is so wonderful to know and to see how much he loves our daughters.  And boy do they love him!

Kylie and her daddy- April 2011

Kylie adores her dad.  They have so much fun together, whether it is at the park or just at home tickling one another.  It is often hard for her to say good bye when he has to go to school or work.  Several times she has even asked for her backpack and followed him up the stairs so that she could go with Chris to school.  It is so heartbreaking to watch her when she realizes that she can't go with him. She just wants to be with him all the time! (And so do I!)

Ellie and her daddy- Feb. 2011

Reading together- March 2011

Thank you Chris for all that you do for our little family!  I love you more than anything and am grateful for the wonderful father that you are!



Thank you to all the fathers in my life.  I love you all so much and am so blessed to have you as examples!