Consequences of our decisions

Consequence isn't necessarily a bad word, though it does have that connotation.

I have always loved my last name. I loved that it was unique and that no one else had it (expect my cousins). I loved saying, "La Madrid, like the capitol of Spain."

I was never one of those girls in school who would write my first name followed by the last name of some boy I had a crush on. My last name was clearly superior to any of my crushes. I guess I kinda knew that I would always keep it. When I got married I felt it would be too hard to say good-bye to the name I loved, but not wanting to come off as a total femi-nazi, I decided to hyphenate rather then just keep my maiden name.

I knew it would be somewhat confusing to some, it is L O N G. But, it REALLY is difficult for a lot of people. Here is an example of a typical conversation that I have:
"Last name?"
"Lamadrid-Jensen."
"Jensen?"
"No, it's hyphenated. Lamadrid, hyphen, Jensen."
"What?"

I think people assume Lamadrid is my middle name or something so when I tell them my last name they think I'm giving them too much information.

Azure's last name is just Jensen. So, when we go in for Dr. visits they ask, "Last name?"
"Mine or the baby's?"
Then I get a strange look and Charles is referred to as my boyfriend!
"No, he's my HUSBAND."

I suppose I have brought this upon myself huh? We really try NOT to confuse people. My hyphenated name is really just for official documents and what not. At church we are just Bro. and Sis. Jensen.

Things to see: Taihitian Noni Gardens

If you are in or around the Provo area, you need to see the Tahitian Noni Gardens. They are beautiful and FREE and closer than the Thanksgiving Point Gardens (but, yes quite smaller). An additional perk is they have a yummy cafe and here is a coupon for a free meal. You'll definitely want to take advantage of this. It's not everyday you can get a free meal, usually it's buy one, get one half off, but this is buy one, get one FREE (and you don't have to buy drinks). We went last night and had an enjoyable time eating and then looking around the gardens.

Now, you know that I REALLY, REALLY love springtime flowers!

Oh and they played FUN island tunes in the cafe which made me VERY excited for Hawaii, 3.5 weeks :)

What's in a name?

My friend Lori did this on her blog and I thought, "What a fabulous idea for a post." So here I go:

I picked out the name Azure in my summer school Biology class in 1996. I had a blue shade of eyeshadow in my backpack and noticed the shade was called Azure. I had never before heard of the word and wasn't even really sure how to pronounce it, but I was intrigued and thought it was beautiful. Because my favorite color is blue, and I have always received compliments on the blueness and beauty of my eyes, I thought it was a perfect name for my first daughter. On my list of attributes for my future husband that every teenage girl makes, I added "must carry the blue eye gene for Azure." Of course once Charles and I started dating seriously I was overjoyed that he had blue eyes :)

A few years later while singing the hymn Love at Home in church, I noticed the word...Azure! If I had had any reservations before then that the name was frivolous because it was a shade of eyeshadow, those feelings disappeared as I felt the promise and assurity that the Lord would grant the desires of my teenage heart in blessing me with an eternal family of my own, that I would have love in my home, and that I would bear a daughter named Azure.

When Charles and I were dating only 3 months I asked him cautiously what he thought about the name Azure for a girl. He said, "I like it." It was then that I knew we were going to be fine :)
Almost exactly 11 yrs later, in the summer of 2007 our little Azure was born. We were relieved to see that she did indeed have blue eyes and was fitting for her name. I revel in the compliments she now receives that her eyes are so blue, so big, so beautiful, so clear and bright, and I think of this scripture:

"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67)

Azure is a light to our family and fills our lives with joy!

10 months young

Wow, Azure is 10 months today. That means I almost have a 1 yr old, which is really strange to me, b/c that makes me feel old.

This past weekend Azure has stood on her own without holding on to anything, which of course is a precursor to walking. She continues to say tick-um almost daily. One exciting addition to her vocabulary is Jesus! After pointing to a picture of Jesus hanging on our wall and saying His name, she repeats me, not very clearly, but she really does say it. She always smiles to see Him :) It is amazing how close to the spirit children are. I believe that she really does recognize Him.

On Saturday she cut her fourth tooth, her top left one. I will still say she has 3.5 teeth though since it is barely poking out.

Azure LOVES kitties. She gets SO excited to see them and squeals with delight.

Story-time with daddy

Laughing with mommy

We found out that there was a Bolivian couple from La Paz in our ward, after 5 months! The husband grew up in a ward I served in and we knew many of the same people, so exciting! We had them over for a Bolivian dinner, sajkta de pollo. I think I spelt that wrong...

Everyday there are more blossoms :)

Julie, do you know where this last pic is?

I'm soo happy that Savannah has beautiful springs, just like Provo :)

Spring has FINALLY sprung

It is officially spring to me when there are blossoms! And even though there have been a few cold days and even some snow, it's still spring finally which makes me giddy :)

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree :)

Charles and I stumbled upon the Primary song, On a Golden Springtime. What a delightful song, I love it! Have any of you heard of it? It's my new favorite spring song.
Yesterday we saw a TON of ducks, geese, and seagulls in a pond by Charles' work and Azure was so excited!

We hope you are enjoying spring!

Grandma's House

We spent last weekend with Charles' family in Idaho and had lots of fun. Charles sold his car so we are now a 1 car family. It was a somewhat emotional experience for Charles as he's had the car for 5 years but, it's been in the family since 1986.

Azure LOVED all the attention from her 6 cousins, aunt and uncle, and of course from Grandma and Grandpa.

We ate yummy food, (including the first time ever 2 brothers pasta sauce) sang and relished in each others company. Thanks for a great weekend, we love you! We also saw the new movie Emma Smith and loved it.

This is Azure

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for getting up with me at 2am when I'm sick and can't fall back asleep. Thank you for changing my diapers and scrubbing stains out of my pants when I have a blow-out. Thank you for reading me stories everyday. Thank you for nursing me and for making me yummy food in the blender. Thank you for singing Kindermusik songs with me. Thank you for teaching me sign language, Spanish and English. Thank you for giving me a bath every night and letting me splash all over the floor. Thank you for kissing me 50 times a day. Thank you for letting me make a mess with my toys all over the living room floor.

Oh, and thank you mommy for choosing such a good daddy for me!

Love your daugther,

Azure Marie

Crazy Week

This past week has been a blur, crazy, but a blur. We all came down with a stomach virus. Charles got it first, and then Azure and then 2 days later of me commenting, "Hmm.. I wonder why I haven't gotten sick yet?" I caught it. Unlike pregnancy, throwing up actually does make you feel better when you have the flu. But, I still really don't like throwing up. I will reset my personal vomit clock to read: 2 days vomit-free.
I have been trying to figure out digital scrapbooking since I started the blog but apparently haven't had too much motivation to actually do it...yet. So, in the meantime here is our new facelift for the blog thanks to Julie. Julie is awesome, she is the one who inspired me to start blogging in the first place. I love you Julie!
Yesterday marked my 6 year anniversary of entering the MTC (Missionary Training Center) to go on my mission to Bolivia. I can't believe that was 6 years ago already. Thank you to both Julie and Anne who came to see me off, that meant so much to me. I wish I had a scanner to post some cute pics of the three of us. Imagine them here:
In the midst of Azure's illness she sprouted yet another tooth! Her top right one. Congrats Cubby on having 2.5 teeth. (It's still just barely poking through).
So, after a crazy week I am soo looking forward to General Conference this weekend. It is such a blessing to "sit" at the prophet and apostles feet and hear their inspiring words of counsel. I also look forward to sustaining President Thomas S. Monson as our new prophet!