Angel baby Jane

My heart has been aching all weekend. My dear friend lost her beautiful 13 month old niece suddenly this last weekend to meningitis. I never had a chance to meet Jane but I had seen many pictures and videos as I am friends with her mom and dad, Christy and Bryan, via facebook and instagram. I always felt like I could connect with Christy as she has 2 boys and Jane about the same ages as my 2 boys and little girl. Her boys love super heros and remind me a lot of my boys. Jane was only about a week younger than my Alexis. When I heard that Jane didn't make it, I just burst into tears. I'm not completely sure why, but this has hit me like a freight train. My heart just aches for them, I feel sick to my stomach. I can only imagine the heartache that Bryan and Christy are feeling at this time.

Through all of this, I've come to realize how precious time is. I have been holding my kids a little closer and tighter. We never know how quickly our lives can change and how much can be taken away just like that. I am so grateful that I have the knowledge of the Gosple and know that families are forever. I know that Bryan and Christy will get to see Jane again. What a comforting knowledge this is. Jane was too perfect to be on this Earth any longer. Heavenly Father needs her on the other side now. I hope that Bryan and Christy can find peace in this knowledge. "In my leisure moments I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting...The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again...All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham." -Joseph Smith

Our newest addition...Alexis Jensen

Last year, right at this time, I knew I was supposed to be having a baby girl join our family. Around July/Aug 2011, the thought that we were to have another child kept weighing on my mind. I thought about it all the time, wondering if it was the right time to get pregnant and if we were ready for another one. I was still in school with 1 year left. Would being pregnant during all my hard tests and final boards even be possible? Would I stll be able to keep my grades up or would I forget everything with my pregnant brain? Could we afford another baby then? Those were some of the questions I kept asking myself.  Then I kept thinking it would be the perfect time. If it worked out right, we could plan to be pregnant and have the baby due right when I graduate, that way I would not have to take time off work to have a baby or start working till after the baby was here. Plus the pregnancy would go by fast having to concentrate on school the whole pregnancy. I was getting pretty convinced it was the right time. I had been praying about all the time. I began to get answers in many ways. Lessons at church were taught about extending your family, that there is never a perfect time. I had even opened church magazines and ended up reading a random article about bringing children into this world. All these things were telling me that we were supposed to have  another baby.

Now convincing Josh was a little bit harder. He wasn't so ready to start over yet. After all, our youngest was 3 years old. I kept trying to convince him and give him all the pros. Then when general conference came on in Oct 2011, the answer came to him too. There was a talk about how fathers are supposed to raise there daughters, and me and Josh both knew it was ment for us and we were supposed to have a little girl. It was such a spiritual experience and so amazing to know that our prayers had been answered.

In order for the baby to be due after my graduation in Aug, we couldn't be pregnant till at least Dec, and that would make the due date really close to my graduation. So we decided we would start trying. On January 16, 2012, I got the positive pregnancy test. I was so excited yet still nervous. It was all real.

The pregnancy went by great. It felt different from my boys but didnt' want to get my hopes up that it was a girl. Then in May we got the confirmation that we were indeed have a baby GIRL!!! We were beyond excited, yes even Josh was too. I graduated Hygiene school with my 4.0 and honors, passed all my tests and my boards and ended up getting my Dental Hygiene license. Then I had to wait 4 weeks to have this baby.

 On my due date, Septemer 25th 2012, I was induced and at 12:59 pm Alexis Jensen was born weighing 7 lbs 4 oz and 19.5 inches long. It was such a smooth delivery and has been a great recovery. I've had almost no pain at all. Alexis is SO beautiful and all I do it sit and stare at her whenever I'm given the chance. She has been such a great baby. I wish she wasn't going to grow and change so fast.

I am so blessed to have such a beautiful, healthy baby girl. She already has us all wrapped around her finger. The boys love her and are doing so great with her. I know Alexis is supposed to be here on earth at this time. I feel so blessed that I am able to be her mother. What a blessing it really is. I am so thankful for prayer and for the gosple in my life.

                                                               Perfect little feet

 

Me and my angel

 

                                                                 Sleeping Beauty

 

 

HOME

In exactly 2 weeks, I will be driving to this place and calling it HOME!! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!!

Pregnancy...

I feel as though I am having a love/hate relationship with being pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I think pregnancy is a very beautiful thing and is such a miracle. There are just many ups and downs with it all. The loves of being pregnant...

• I have a healthy little GIRL growing inside ME that I get to bond with for 40 weeks (hopefully a little less)
• As I get further along, I have an excuse for having a big belly.
• I like that I have the pregnancy glow and I often get comments about it
• I get to park in the expected mother parking in the front row at the mall (which is very nice when I have to my 2 crazy boys with me too)
• I have something to look forward to in Sept when we get to bring this baby into this world
• I love to feel all the movements of this baby, it really is so amazing
• My boobs grew like 2 cups sizes, which is more of a  plus for the hubby I guess

The dislikes of being pregant...

• I get to go through summer being huge while I see other girls super skinny and in bikinis (knowing no matter how hard I work out or eat good, I will not look great this summer)
• I have AWFUL ligament pain in my pelvis that makes many things very painful, including sleeping and rolling over, walking, and putting on pants.
• Because of the ligament pain, it is hard to move around and play with my kids very much.
• I can get very cranky and grumpy for no reason at all, and I feel so bad when I do. But I honestly feel like I just can't help it sometimes.
• I get very winded, even just from walking a little bit.

Overall, I am very happy and extremely lucky to be able to be pregnant and have healthy children. I know I am very blessed to have such smooth pregnancies and really shouldn't complain. I can NOT wait for september to be here and meet my little girl. I still can't believe its a girl. I am lucky to have people around me that deal with my moodiness and help me out so much. I can't wait to meet our princess and get my old self back again and get our life situated. The next few months are going to be crazy as I prepare to take my HUGE test in July, another one the end of July, my Clinical exam to get my license in Aug and graduate dental hygiene school in Aug as well. Then I get a month to prepare for our baby and move back home to Utah!

WHY I RUN

I love running...


Because it gives ME my own identity. I'm not just a mom. I'm a RUNNER.


Because people tell me I can't or shouldn't. Say those words, and you can guarantee I WILL.
Because it feels good.

Because even when it doesn't feel good, it feels good
afterwards.

Because I love the sweat.

Because I love the hills.

Because the best showers are post-run showers.

Because it's taught me to push myself.

Because I can push and explore my limits.

Because I sleep better and deeper at night.

Because it keeps sickness away.

Because it reduces stress.

Because it fills me with positive emotions.

Because running to music feels like dancing.

Because it's the one thing I know I can accomplish in a day.

Because it makes me feel unconquerable.

Because I could probably outrun any attacker.

Because of the sprint to the end.

Because it gives me a quantitative way to track my fitness progress.

Because my kids are watching and learning. They think they're runners to.

Because it is fun.

Because races are addicting.

Because early-morning runs allow me to see the sunrise.

Because it gives me freedom.

Because no other exercise compares.

Because it's ME time.

Because monster mom becomes happy mom.

Because when I'm done, I feel like I can conquer the world.

Because I can.

Day Four

Day {4} Meaning behind your blog name

Well, I'm by no means creative at all. I think the creative gene went to my 2 sisters and kind of just skipped over me. But A Forever Family is pretty self explanatory. We are hoping to make it to the temple this year and get sealed for time and all eternity. What can better than being with your family forever? Can't wait!

Day Three

Day {3} Pet Peeves



One thing that really gets me is hearing people swallow. That drives me nuts.


I hate gossip. I hate when people talk bad about other people.

There are really not a lot of things that bug me. I'm pretty laid back and can handle a lot of stuff.
Pretty boring, I know.

Now off the subject, School is going so great. Between classes and studying, it takes up all my time, but I am learning so much and really enjoying it. The biggest downfall is not getting the time I need with Cory and Zack. When I was leaving for school yesterday, Cory asked where I was going. So I told him school and he said "again?" in the saddest voice and then sighed. It was so sad. I just have to keep telling myself that it will all be worth it in the end. Only 5 more weeks till the end of this term then I'll finally have a 2 week break (where my sis, Bobbi, better have her baby so I can come see him).

Cory started preschool in January and I cannot believe the difference its made. He has gotten so smart and can talk so much now. Zack is a little smarty as well. They make me so proud! Its Josh's dad's birthday this sunday and we are going down to Salt lake for the day. Cory and Zack are so excited to make him a cake and sing him happy birthday. We can't wait. I know I say this a lot, but I love my boys SO much! I miss them like crazy when I'm at school. I love to just sit and watch them play together and play with me. Zack tells me everyday and I'm his best friend :) He always knows just what to say to make me feel better. He's my cuddle buddy and will always give me the best hugs and kisses, especially when I'm down. LOVE THEM!!

With summer coming, I'm missing southern utah SO much. I miss being only 45 min from St. George and Zions, and I miss going to my neices softball games. I miss just hanging out at my sisters and letting the kids all play together. I miss hanging out with my nieces and being able to just talk anytime about anything. I miss being closer to Salt Lake and all my family up there. There are a lot of things I miss right now, but I am very glad to have my family with me that I do have. Josh has been great through with my schooling and studying and helps out a ton. Its made such a huge difference. My mom has been amazing. She is always willing to help out with the boys when Josh cannot. She is such a great mom.

Until tomorrow, Have a good night!