Hannah's a Graduate!

I can't believe my baby has graduated from high school!

 

Here's the thing I wrote about Hannah to welcome her into Relief Society. We also gave her a copy of the Proclamation to the World on Families, with a matte decorated with photos of Hannah from baby to now.

 

Hannah is strong and confident, and is comfortable with who she is and where she is going. She has been blessed with many Christ-like qualities.

Hannah has always worked things out with her brothers and kept a loving spirit in our home. She has never teased others and comforts them when they are in need. Several families in the ward call her the “Baby Whisperer” because of her nurturing skills. Hannah is a wonderful blend of Jenson and Bright. She has a gift of friendliness, meaning she can talk to anyone she meets, and in the process share her gifts of kindness, caring and nurturing.

Hannah has developed great leadership skills. She has served in leadership roles in church and school, but it’s the little things that make the difference. She sees a need and reaches out to help. She empathizes with those around her, regardless of age or circumstances.

We have been blessed to have Hannah in our family and love her very much.

 

 

She has grown into such a fine young woman, and brings us much joy!

 

Hannah's Senior Pics

Here's a handful of the beautiful senior photos we got of Hannah. Shawna Youngberg did such a good job...as always! And it helps that Hannah is so photogenic.

 

These are just a few of our favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's happened lately

Let's see.

 

*I finally finished the alter cloth I was making for the temple...and turned it in! Alter Cloth

 

*We finally got the tax mess figured out and were surprised to find we were getting a nice refund...two hours later the washer broke. I guess 19 years is a good long life. Hello, new washer.

 

 

*My mom and dad came for a visit.

 

Mom is holding a composite photo.

Left insert: Mom and me as a baby

Center insert: Tom, me and John as a baby

Large photo: John with Adelaide

 

I realized that we didn't have a photo of the three generations of women. Here's Mom, me and Hannah.

 

*We finished making cinnamon rolls for Hannah's orchestra trip. We made enough cinnamon rolls for Hannah to pay tithing on the earnings AND have enough money for the trip. Glad that's over!

 

*Hannah went on her orchestra trip and has had two concerts in the last couple months.

 

Playing her solo at the Senior Solo Concert 

  

End of Year concert

 

Hannah has been serving as the Orchestra President all year. She has developed great skills as a leader, and we are very proud of her.

 

*Hannah went to the Senior Prom.

  

*Tom and I escaped for a brief vacation. We met our friends in Lava Hot Springs for a couples only retreat. It didn't last long enough. We also spent time with John, Laney, Adelaide, Tim and Lindsay in Rexburg.

 

 

 

*I got a new calling...which comes with things to do on days I already have plans. I am the second counselor in Relief Society. I did this once before in the early 2000's in the ward and later on the stake level. So I'm not feeling overwhelmed and totally inadequate. My walking pal is the new president. I think she's relieved that I got called to be her counselor. Sunday they gave me the binder and keys. I joked about my "50 pound weight" and told the bishopric that I was glad it wasn't the "100 pound weight I gave up a couple years ago."

 

Yesterday was Hannah's last concert AND our first enrichment meeting. Sunday is orientation with the stake AND New Beginnings. Next month we have enrichment AND the first day of our vacation at the same time.

 

 

 

Valentine's Surprise

Apparently, the Jenson boys think that Valentine's Day was created for proposing.

 

Tim and Lindsay will be getting married on August 16th!

 

 

 

We are all excited to have another member of the family!

Ugh, Jury Duty

I never got summoned until we moved to Idaho, and I was perfectly happy. Now I get summoned every three years. So far I've been summoned at least four times in 13.5 years. Tom has been summoned at least three times, John twice and Tim once. I have called in every day and not been needed (my favorite), put on stand-by and then not needed (that's next best), part of the selection process, and now on the jury.

It was a very interesting experience, to say the least. I had to be there by 10:30 am, but we didn't even start until 11:15 am. After they selected the jury (lucky me) we went to lunch. Trial started at 2 pm. It was a man in his late 50's who had gotten a reckless driving ticket for riding his motorcycle at 107 mph in a 50 mph zone. He was found guilty of reckless driving.

The jury ended up being 5 women ages 50 and above, and one 25 year old woman. The prosecutor was probably very happy with the selection. The defendant was defending himself, and I don't know what he was thinking. I wouldn't have kept me if I'd been in his shoes. I never wanted to be on a jury, and realistically, they should have never had me on this one based on the answers I gave.

During the process I wasn't too stressed (other than hating the fact that I was missing my girl's night out.) After I got home it all settled in, and I couldn't sleep. All. Night. Long. I finally drifted off at 4 am, but didn't sleep well. I gave up at 7 am and went for my daily walk.

At one point in the selection process they asked if anyone would be too stressed giving a verdict not knowing what the sentence would be. So next time I'll just tell them that being on a jury stresses me too much and causes health issues. We'll see if that will get me off.

First lesson of the year

It takes two and a half months to build a habit of reading the scriptures daily...

It take only one day to break the habit.

January Theme

Instead of the typical New Year Resolutions, I'm trying a couple new things this year.

First, I picked a word I want to work on this year. That word is ZEST.

One thing I greatly admire in one of my very best friends is her zest for life. She sees the good around her and meets life with excitement and optimism. She meets challenges head on and accomplishes so many things. I want to be more like that.

Second, every month I will pick a theme. It is a work in progress so I won't know the next theme until that month starts. It will be according to what the Spirit tells me. Here's for January...

"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment on my words,

and exercise a particle of faith,

yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe,

let this desire work in you,

even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."

 

Alma 32:27

Merry Christmas!

Meet Adelaide Laney Jenson, born October 24, 2013! Grandpa was disappointed that she didn’t show up on his birthday. Abue is just disappointed that she lives so far away. She is going to be one spoiled little girl!

 

Four generations of oldest children—Carol Bright, Ann Jenson, John Jenson and Adelaide Jenson

 

A composite of Carol Bright and Ann; Tom, Ann and John; John and Adelaide

John and Laney are still living in Rexburg, where John is studying psychology. He works in the Reading Center on campus during the school year and helping developmentally delayed adults the rest of the time.

Timothy will be in Rexburg starting January 3. He will be studying Landscape Architecture. He plans to get an associates degree at BYU-I and then move to Moscow, ID for more schooling at University of Idaho.

James graduated from high school and is making the transition from kid to adult. He plans to serve a mission in the future and is taking two institute classes to prepare. His writing was published twice this year, once in a school district magazine and once online.

Hannah is a senior this year. She keeps very busy in two orchestras and working at McDonald’s at the mall. She is also serving on the Stake Youth Council and as the orchestra president. Hannah enjoyed playing in the Hymns of Thanksgiving orchestra this year.

Otherwise, life is about the same. Tom is working hard and playing hard. Ann enjoyed her third year singing with Hymns of Thanksgiving. Both Tom and Ann enjoy visiting with the folks at the nursing home twice a month for Sacrament Meeting.

We hope all is well with you, and that you have a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love, The Jensons

Five Drivers plus One Car

Equals EMPTY DRIVEWAY!

I thought I'd better find a picture of our car so I can remember what it looks like.

Multiple Personalities

A friend shared this blog post on facebook today.

http://www.scarymommy.com/multiple-personalities/

Fortunately, Hannah is #5 most of the time. It can be a bit frustrating sometimes that she is so mature and independent, but it really helps with the following list for boys.

Here's my male version of multiple personalities.

1. I know everything #1: 14 to 18 years. Exhibited by the rolling of eyes every time mom or dad makes a suggestion. If eye rolling doesn’t stop the suggestions, an irritated “I know. Get off my back.” usually does the trick.

2. I know everything #2: 16 to marriage. This is different than the first stage because now they are certain they know more than everyone, including parents, grandparents, teachers and leaders of all kinds. You can tell a boy is in this stage when you have a good view of his nostrils, and he only has a view of his own nose as he looks down at everyone.

3. I just turned off my brain: starts at high school graduation and lasts until they are forced to start a full-time job, serve a mission or start college. At this stage all a parent can do is shake their head and hope the kid doesn’t end up killing himself with all the stupid things he is doing.

4. I thought you were 15: One of the wisest mothers I know told me that teenagers will revert to a previous cycle through all the stages. So if your 15 year old suddenly starts acting like he is 5, take a deep breath and remind yourself that he is 5…plus 10.

5. “Thanks, Mom” stage: In this stage he is uncharacteristically grateful for all the things you taught him and all service you gave him in the previous 20 years. This usually shows up about one year after he leaves home.

In the old days at the MTC, they would have the parents and missionaries attend a meeting together before parting. While we were there to drop off Johnathan, one of the speakers said, "Sometimes we wish we could send missionaries out when they are 16 because if we could, the missionaries would still know everything and their mothers wouldn't cry."

I'll end with my favorite text from Johnathan during his fist year of college. "Thanks, mom, for teaching me how to wash dishes and do laundry. I just taught my roommate how to do it."