On the road again...

Before we headed on our long trip back to Savannah, we took a weekend trip to Boise. We saw all the temples in Idaho. Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Boise, and Twin Falls.
The Rexburg and Twin Falls temples look almost exactly alike.

The Twin Falls

Charles in his element with Shiner. Azure misses the dogs so much that she pretends she's talking to them on the phone. It's adorable.

The first stop on our trip was to Provo. We were sad we couldn't see everyone we wanted to while we were there. We wish we had more time! As we drove off the University Parkway exit, I started bawling! I didn't think I was going to be that emotional. Though we wouldn't want to live in Provo forever, we do miss our time there. Such sweet memories! We hope our kids will want to go to BYU.
We stopped in Heber to see my friend Jessica from high school. They let us stay at their apartment in Denver that night even though they weren't there. We also got to see the Denver temple, though no pics. Azure did okay in the car though, she really liked to say, "Mommy" about every 5 mins for no apparent reason. Or "Hi mommy" and "Hi daddy" over and over and over again. She also refused to nap some days in the car only to finally fall asleep 5 mins before we had to get out to eat or sightsee.

From Denver to Omaha, we saw A LOT of cornfields. We stopped in Lincoln, NE for dinner with my friend Vanessa from high school. Again, no pics :( We got to Omaha late that night and left early to see the Winter Quarters temple and the tabernacle where Brigham Young was ordained a prophet.
You can see my pregnant belly already. It's growing a lot faster this time then it did with Azure. I'm also happy to report that my morning sickness is over! It started to subside around 11 weeks, so much better than 16 weeks with Azure.

Stay tuned for our next stop... Nauvoo! Our favorite stop!

More fun in ID

Azure got new sunglasses from Nana and Papa. She LOVES them! Can you tell?
Last Monday we went to Idaho Falls' Zoo. Fun times were had by all, though I think my Dad enjoyed it even more than Azure. He wanted to stay longer.At first, Azure was a little hesitant to feed the goats and sheep, but after awhile, she loved it.I forgot what these were called. It was a mom and her baby. They were cute.
Azure's favorite exhibit was the monkeys. Here she is doing the sign for monkey, plus the sound, and jumping around. Delightful.
Tuesday we headed to Yellowstone Bear World outside of Rexburg and then up to Mesa Falls. Most of the animals we saw looked moderately to severely depressed as a result of their confinement. The bear cubs were the cutest, but they were mostly hiding.

The cutest bear cub there

Unfortunately Charles had to work and couldn't come with us to Mesa Falls. We went together when we were first dating back in August 2005. So, of course I was filled with nostalgia of the beginnings of our love as we traveled there. We sure had fun with Nana and Papa. Miss you already!

Family Fun Fourth of July Weekend plus other stuff

On Sunday after my arrival in Salt Lake and our reunion as a family, we went to church in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (where I threw up. Thankfully, only once that day.) We also went to Temple Square. It's only been a little over a year since we've been in Salt Lake, but it was great to reminisce and remember all the good times Charles and I have had at Temple Square (including our engagement pics).

We got to visit with Shannon for about an hour, but didn't take any pics! Then we stopped in Logan to visit Charles' cousin Sarah and got to meet her cute little Ella finally. Her and Azure are almost exactly a year apart.The only pic I got while we were there :(

Grandma took all the little kids on a horse ride. Azure seems to like things like this before and after the fact, but not as much during.

I was so blessed to celebrate the 4th not only with Charles' family but, with my parents too, and also a surprise visit from my sister. She said she wasn't able to come up, but she did! It was great to have so much family together. Azure, of course loved all the attention. I'm a little worried that when we get back to Savannah, she's going to be bored out of her mind when it's just the 2 of us at home again.

The boys went shooting while the girls watched Twilight. I'm not a twilight fan and I must admit that watching the movie was excruciating at times.
I'm glad my Dad finally has 2 son in laws to do boy stuff with, since he never really got the chance to with me and my sister.
Charlie pooped after shooting, working 10 hour days (with no pay I might add), and meeting all my pregnancy food requests with minimal to no complaining. He's a good man! So glad he's mine for eternity :)

We enjoyed some delicious ribs courtesy of Monica and Miah. This should definitely become a tradition.
There were 25 of us, that's a lot of cups to keep track of.

We also celebrated Azure's belated 2nd Bday on the 4th. Complete with a pinata. Here's the bubble maker that Aunt Tally bought for her. Complete with hours of entertainment, or at least until a fight occurs about who's hogging all the bubbles.
My parents stayed at a nice hotel right on the river and across the street from the temple. We got a nice spot to watch the infamous firework show right on the river. As I sat and watched the fireworks, I couldn't help but keep looking to my right at the temple all lit up. It is such a blessing to have temples on the earth, especially ones that are so close. The temple is what kept coming to my mind and heart as I reflected on my blessings of freedom. I always tell my Young Women that if they only remember one thing about me as their leader, I want them to remember that I love the temple, and that I have a testimony of temples. I want my blog readers to know that too! I think the happiest time in my life was when I was an ordinance worker for 3 yrs in the Provo temple. Because I was there so frequently, I had such an amplified perspective on life, which increased my faith in Christ. My greatest desire is to go there with all my family members! End tangent on the temple.
Some updates on Azure:

• She can now climb out of her pack n play and open the door to her get out of her room.

• She's wearing size 4 diapers now. Interested in sitting on the potty, but not actually going. (Any suggestions?)
  

• She tells me when she wants a nap. Today after skipping her nap, she told me, "Mommy, I wanna go sleepy."

• She hasn't had a bottle for over 4 weeks now. (She only had bottles for about a year of her life.)

• She still sucks her thumb and will for at least a year more, that's my guess.

Temporary Relocation Voyage/Shenanigans

If you haven't heard, our family unit has been ripped apart for the last 3 weeks due to a rotation for school which I chose to complete in the greater Idaho Falls metro area. I'm currently an unpaid slave at Walgreen's learning a great deal about retail pharmacy. You may be aware that Idaho and Georgia are over 2000 miles apart, which implies travel between the 2 topographically unrelated states. Azure and I spent 4 days together as nomads, consuming stale sandwiches and warding off scurvy with citrus.

Day 1:

Savannah to St. Louis

Crossed the towering Appalachians. Chattanooga looks interesting. Kentucky was exactly as I imagined it, minus the baseball bats. Crossed fingers through entire state of Illinois in fear of being pulled over by socialist Illini. Visited "The Hill" in St. Louis, a little Italy that won my heart and my stomach. Drove by St. Louis Temple. Azure slept soundly upon placement in pack and/or play.

Day 2:

St. Louis to Omaha

Went to Community of Christ Temple in Independence, MO. Reminded me of the BYU museum of art. (there was a lot of art) The spiral ceiling "took my breath away" (cue Berlin). Museum was highlight of temple, had window from Kirtland temple, door from Liberty Jail, more interesting old things. Proceeded to LDS visitors center. Spotted Utahns, denim shorts, socks and sandals, minivans. Azure played in a miniature cabin. Meandered to Church of Christ Temple Lot. Spoke to Church of Christ Apostle for ~1/2 hour. Examined THE lot.

Next went to Liberty Jail. Azure spazzed out.

Next was Far West Temple site, then Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Completed day by driving to Omaha. Azure learns that if she yells "I pooped!" that I will stop the car and get her out of her car seat, poop or not. Azure is given 5 string cheeses, no poop, no stops.

Day 3:

Omaha to Rapid City

After stopping in Sioux Falls for a toxic Subway meatball sub, I opened the car door, which was nearly removed by a gust of cold, dry wind. A bitter welcome back to my natal half of the continent. Stopped at The Corn Palace. Did not eat corn. Did buy clearance post cards.

Yawned across the plains to The Badlands, bad indeed:

Left badness, went to world famous Wall Drug

Azure was ultimately terrified by a large mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex, although not in this video:

Experienced further "cold" in Rapid City.

Day 4:

Rapid City to Victor

In true fatherly cheap form, we drove by Mt Rushmore without wasting $10 to park the car slightly closer to the chiseled granite.

Drove through Custer State Park, reveled in buffalo and wild burros

Wyoming is very boring and very big. Was happy to see these (cloudy Tetons=almost there):

Arrived at brother Jon's residence in Victor and bathed/harassed chickens

Day 5:

Victor to Idaho Falls

Since we've been here Azure has assisted in daily tasks, ie feeding Rock-E

Mastering grandpa's heavy machinery

A very enjoyable trip thus far. I've appreciated the one-on-one time with my child, whom I normally interact with for <20%> of the day. We look forward to Deanna's arrival tomorrow and the reunion of team Jensen.

Azure Turns 2!

Hard to believe that Azure is 2 today. She's in Idaho with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa, while mommy has been filming for the Generations Project. Then I leave for Girls Camp on Tuesday. We'll finally be reunited on Saturday after 2.5 weeks!

We've been asking Azure what she wants for her birthday and she has kept saying, "A baby." She already has a few dolls and we didn't want to get her another one. So, we decided to get her a real baby. Azure's sibling will arrive about 7 months after her birthday, the last week of January! I'm 9 weeks and have been sick since week 3. This time around has been a little better then last but, only by a little bit. Thanks to Zofran I haven't thrown up more than 2 times a day.

I had an ultrasound before I left, and was able to see the baby's tiny heart beating. Such a miracle, and such a relief. In spite of the sickness we're so excited to have another baby, and are looking forward to Azure's role as a big sister.

We'll celebrate Azure's birthday on the 4th of July with my parents, Charles' parents, and all his brothers, their wives, and children. It will be so fun to have everyone together. I am grateful for the love of my family. Happy Father's Day Charlie and happy birthday Cubby!

Bubbles at Forsyth Park

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Forsyth Park and blew bubbles. Fun times!

Why I love keeping a journal...