May Moments

I haven't posted for awhile or very often this month so it's catch up time. Here are some pictures to show what's been going on:Here's Naomi taking Daxon (the 4 year old I tend), Logan and Ethan for a ride.
Nanette modeling the apron I made her for her birthday.
Caleb, Nick, Aaron & Kent playing "jungle ball". Notice the vinyl fence sections that are taken down so the slats don't get broken off again.
Naomi, Kent and Chris enjoying our Sunday dinner of grilled chicken shish-kabobs, corn on the cob, and dutch oven potatoes.
Aaron loading his plate at aforementioned Sunday dinner.
Caleb and Ethan swinging.
Nick, Logan and me (I didn't swallow a canary. My mouth if full).
Now you know that Katie is the photographer. For some reason the only pictures we have of Nanette are in the background.
Ethan and Logan sharing a swing.
Braiden missed out on the good food.
Caleb talked these people to go on a long hike above Smithfield on Memorial Day morning. I chose to stay home and tend Braiden. When everyone got back I was told that I made the right choice!
Looking down from the top of the "5th pyramid" that they hiked.
Caleb with Smithfield in the far background.
Nick, Me, Naomi and Caleb at the Smithfield Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Garden Update:
We had to replant new tomatoes because they froze and the cucumbers have not come up at all. We've never had problems with cucumbers before. We're going to buys some plants. The grapes and beans are doing great as are the corn, pumpkins, zucchini, strawberries and raspberries. Our peaches, pear and apple tree were loaded with blossoms so hopefully they'll be full of fruit this year. Mmm. I'm hungry!

May Flowers

I like it when people ask me what I want for a gift and I'm able to tell them a specific thing that I need. Naomi asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day and I told her I wanted the front flower bed weeded and some new flowers planted. So that's what she did.
Kent asked what he could get me and I told him he could weed the rose bed and dig up the old bushes that had gone wild and get me some new rose bushes. So that's what he did.
While we're on to green things:

The prophet said to plant a garden,
so that's what we'll do.
For God has given rich brown soil,
the rain and sunshine too.
And if we plant the seeds just right
and tend them carefully,
Before we know, good things will grow
to feed our family.
(Children's Songbook page 237)

This year we're trying grapes and green beans for the first time. I know it's hard to believe we've never grown green beans before but for some reason we haven't. Are you growing a garden and trying anything new this year?

I Hate Money! (Or the lack of)

I am so tired of worrying about money and being a slave to it! I was watching an older episode of Oprah a couple of days ago about the "Yearning For Zion Ranch". If you want to check it out click here. Anyway, I'm not supporting them, I don't want to be a polygamist, and I don't believe they have the priesthood authority. But, there is something very appealing in the way they share things in common. It would be nice to help each other out and use our strengths to help other's weaknesses and visa versa. I am so ready to live the law of consecration and I honestly feel like I could. Just don't ask me to have this hairdo:

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my Dad's 79th birthday.

It's been a strange day since
this is his first birthday
since he died 9 months ago.

I've thought a lot about him.

I miss him but know he's much happier
where he is now,

where he wanted to be
since my Mom died almost 3 years ago.

Happy birthday Dad!

See ya later if you're lucky!

Tender Mercies

Tulips are a tender mercy from the Creator. What an uplifting blessing to be given at the end of a long winter. The wonderful thing is that I planted these tulip bulbs a few years ago and haven't had to do anything since to be amazed every spring.

The other day Logan was walking beside me holding my hand and I was overwhelmed with the amazing thought that our arms were made to the perfect length to comfortably hold hands.
Sometimes it is really hard to be a missionary mom. Dane says time is speeding by for him, but some days it seems like he's been gone forever and still has forever to go! Recently though we've received some tender mercies. Quite a few members of the Church have visited Costa Rica and have sent us pictures or called to tell us how great Elder Jensen is doing. The above picture was taken by a couple from Utah who were driving down the street in Quepos, Costa Rica and happened to recognize the missionaries. They took this picture from their car and sent it to us. (I'm glad Dane has my email address memorized so he can tell people!) Another family took a video of Dane at church and posted it on their blog and sent us the link. It helps to ease the "Dane sickness". (Only 5 1/2 months to go!) Hopefully in the future I can be a tender mercy for someone.