BRYANT VISITS PERU!

While Bryant was in Peru for work, he decided that instead of site seeing with his colleagues he would drive 2.5 hours to go see Eli on his mission. They got special permission from the mission president and Bryant spent the day with Eli and his new companion Elder Burtenshaw. They went on visits together, rode in a mototaxi, combi, Bryant took them out to lunch - he told Eli he wanted to take them to some place nice and Eli took him to a "nice place", but Bryant meant much nicer - ha ha! Bryant gave Eli lots of hugs for me, held his bear paw for me and told Eli that I wanted to punch him in the face - cause that's what I always say to him cause he so cute and I love him so much! Bryant brought him peanutbutter and peanut m&ms! When Bryant was saying goodbye he gave him one last hug for me, one last hug for himself and then Eli asked for one more hug! I know it meant the WORLD to Eli to have him there. Bryant said Eli said that it was so surreal for the first hour that Bryant was actually there. 

We told the kids on Sunday that Jared's cancer was back and we only told them because Jared was given a blessing and was told in that that we needed to share it with the kids so we could have spiritual experiences together and grow together. We chose Sunday to share it with them because we knew that Eli would take it the hardest because he is a gentle soul and that if he needed some peace and comfort...Bryant would be there 3 days later and could help him. Bryant and Eli found some time together in the day where they could talk alone in their apartment and Eli cried to him a bit and asked for a blessing. Bryant blessed him with comfort and also told him how proud Heavenly Father was of him for all that he is doing. 

Here is a text that Bryant sent to the Jensen family group chat: Eli sends his love! He is doing SO good. I told him how VERY impressed I am with his work, and how proud we all are of him - how I hope my kids are as consecrated and as joyful as he is on their mission. 

Bryant was also so impressed with how Happy Eli is, how much he can find joy there, isn't stressed out there, he can go with the flow and how good of a missionary he is and when he teaches lessons he is loving and straight to the point. Bryant got to go with him to teach Walter and said Walter was close to getting baptized. Eli cares about reaching the goals of the mission but cares about the people more. 

I cried every time Bryant would text us a new picture or text today. I am missing Eli something fierce today now. Today will be a day that Eli will forever remember on his mission for the rest of his life! 

TWINS SENIOR SUNRISE & ASSEMBLY!

 The first week of school is no joke if you are in STUGO - it's busy, busy, busy! The boys had to be at the school at 5am to set up the music, donuts, games, etc for Senior Sunrise! I am so grateful for all their friends who are girls who take pictures of the boys and post them on their instagram so I can take them for myself, ha ha! It looks like it was a good morning! Then they left and went got some breakfast, Tyler came home and napped and Tyson went and said goodbye to Kendall. 

The next day was the first assembly of the year! Tyson, Benny and Talon are the DJs for the whole school year, just call them "Triple Threat". It was so fun to watch them up there! Tyler helped with the "Masked Singer" and added up all the points from the judges. 

It brings the biggest smile to my face watching my boys be involved in the school and having so much fun with all their friends! 

TWINS LAST FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

 My babies last first day of school! These boys are the best and this is going to be the saddest year ever with it being the last of everything but I'm going to soak it all up! I didn't have time to be sad and depressed today, instead....I decided to take today and go out with a bang. Last year I snagged Jared and we drove through the parent drop off line to watch the boys stand on the side and cheer on all the students on the first day of school with the cheerleaders and pommies. Misty saw me and told me to honk the horn and turn up the radio so I did....but because of that....I decided to step this year up a notch! I called Aubrey, my partner in crime, and we grabbed Emily Germaine's RZR, 4 confetti cannons and an air horn and drove through the line, honking and shooting off the cannons. The kids who didn't know us were confused...those who knew us were cracking up. Misty told us to go around again, so we did! Poor Tre had to come with us but he was so embarrassed he laid down in the back so no one would see him! I love that my boys are surprised by my actions, outwardly annoyed by me, but then they like it! Senior year here we come!! 

BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSINGS!

TYLER: 

- You will be blessed with an enjoyable senior year

- Bless you to make the most of your time with studies, STUGO & basketball and you will still enjoy your time to learn and grow

- Bless you to be happy

- Bless you to be healthy

- You will have the spiritual, physical and mental strength to get through the year

- Bless you to be a friend to those around you and those who need a friend

- Bless you with the ability to learn

- Bless you that your testimony of Jesus Christ will grow and you will be prepared to serve a mission

- Tyler, the Lord needs you in the mission field, he needs your unique talents and happy spirit. You will find those who are down trodden. The Lord needs you to serve as an example to the missionaries and to uplift them

- Tyler because of your diligence and desire to be good and righteous you will be blessed to have a successful year

TYSON:

- Bless you to know that this is a great time for you in your life

- Bless you to know before you were born, you saw this time in your life and you were very excited to come to the earth and go through the temple and get the priesthood

- Bless you to be a shining light to your friends and to bring joy to those around you

- The Lord understands your desires to do what is right

- Bless you with all the physical, spiritual and mental capabilities to do your studies, play basketball and work

- You will learn joy that comes from hard work

- Find joy in understanding who Jesus Christ is

- Bless you to be happy, healthy and safe

- Bless you to make good decisions and be an example to those around you 

- the Lord loves you and your desire to understand the gospel 

- You are a great blessing to the family

- You need to understand the role you play as brother, cousin, uncle and son

- As you prepare yourself, you will receive a call to serve a mission

SUMMER SHENANNIGANS!

 Random summer happenings....The twins spent all of June doing summer basketball, early morning practices and then tournaments on the weekends, Jared dressed up for church as a pioneer for a combined youth pioneer lesson, Katy Smith went through the temple, Laynie Bell left on her mission, Lilly Hatch left on her mission, Della and Emma visited it us twice, Sara and I continued our Temple trips, Jared filled in for her when she was gone and the boys spent a lot of time playing xbox and working a little...but hey....it's their last real summer so why not! 

FIRST SISTERS TRIP!

 For Ashley's 40th birthday Blake wanted to send her on our first ever Sister's Trip! We ended up in Newport at a Beach House - the Jensen vacation stomping grounds - more like the boys stomping grounds! We hung out at the beach, ate food, did puzzles, talked about hot dogs at wedding receptions, played the Friends TV Show 50 states game in 6 minutes, I got us matching sets and eye patches for one night, we took a night walk on the beach, we recited the old YW theme to Jennifer aka Jenny, ate acai bowls in the morning and figured out that I give out judgements for free! It was the best trip! so glad we could get away and do this! Thanks Blake!