The little things in life

Bridger has been busy....

Getting into my makeup

Biting a little girl at preschool (Because she wouldn't pick up and listen is his story)

Saying naughty words

Telling Jeremy and I "Nobody cares about me or loves me" (when he gets in trouble)

Wearing white socks to church

Throwing fits when he doesn't get his way

Peeing the bed on occasion at nighttime

Even though he does all of these things, we still love him and are grateful for his cute little self. He also has been busy making a list of toys for the baby that Santa should bring, asking if the baby likes swimming in the dark in my belly, giving me lots of kisses, letting me take naps on the

couch in the afternoon, using please and thank you, missing Jeremy when he is at work, keeping Jeremy and I organized, and most of all reminding us how much he loves us everyday!

Here are a few pics...

The bad day explained....

Jeremy posted the pictures of the denali but he didn't explain what happened. On Wednesday we took my little brother, Corde to Rapid City, SD to have his wisdom teeth extracted. I should begin by saying that Jeremy and I had been harassing him all day about the IV and the medicine they give him that would make him go to sleep. He was even concerned about the nurses taking advantage of him while he was "asleep." Jeremy and I were laughing and having a good time making him nervous about the whole process. We did some Christmas shopping that morning and than about 12:30 decided to head to his appointment. I was craving a sonic slushy so I made Jeremy head toward Sonic-oops I guess I will take the blame for this. So as we are headed to sonic, I am texting Josie about all the things we have been telling Corde and I am laughing. Jeremy was driving and I was in the passenger seat. Corde was sitting right behind Jer on the drivers side. All of a sudden I hear Jeremy say "Oh ****" and Corde says something like "Brace yourself or hold on" and the next thing I know we smashed into a car in the intersection a few blocks from Sonic. The moron turned right in front of Jeremy and luckily Jeremy turned the car enough we only hit on the passengers side and not head on. The guy claims he slid in front of Jeremy but no ice was on the road-tricky. Luckily witnesses told the cops the real story and the other guy was cited for failure to yield and no proof of insurance, of course. I was wearing my seat belt but felt my stomach starting to harden so I thought it would be best to go get the baby checked out considering "we" got a nice impact. A guy that that witnessed the accident took me to the hospital and than went back to the accident and took Corde to his appointment. We got a business card so we will be sending him a thank you gift next week. Anyways they hooked me up at the hospital and my blood pressure was higher than normal and I was contracting. We got those issues resolved and were released. My dad drove over and picked us up and luckily the rest of the day was uneventful. Jeremy and I have been bummed about the whole thing-what a pain it will be. Bridger made a comment that made me realize what is important "Mom, I am sad about big black but I am glad you are ok." Material things can be replaced and luckily we have 2 other vehicles to rely on. I am grateful Bridger wasn't in the car with us as young children are much more affected by impacts than adults are. I am also glad Jeremy, Corde and I weren't seriously hurt. The good news- the guy that caused this works for the radio station in Rapid and did mention he can hook us up with concert/hockey/sporting event tickets ANYTIME. Hey buddy no worries about the thousands of dollars of damage to our car, those $50 tickets will make it up :) (little sarcasm)

One Bad Day

Rest In Peace

Big Black Jensen

Thank You!

With Thanksgiving this week, I wanted to express my gratitude for all the military men and women that serve our country. Last week I had the opportunity to pay my respects to an Army Staff Sgt. that was killed in Iraq. It was a very humbling and touching thing to see. His body was flown into the Gillette Airport and the procession route was about 5 miles long ending at the funeral home. Some 5,000 members of the community paid their respects and the procession line included ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, and 100 military veterans on their motorcycles. I am so grateful to live in a free country and to our troops oversees away from their families this holiday season, thanks for all you do! Click on the link to watch the video....

http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2009/11/27/video/news65.txt

What to do with a 3 year old?

Sometimes Bridger is so cute that I forget about the naughtiness. Like in situations like this, Good thing the garage is Jeremy's department......

My question, Should I beat his little bottom or laugh? I laughed no worries :)

Happy Birthday Bridger!

Bridger,

I woke up at 5:30 this morning thinking that exactly 3 years ago at this time my water broke. They rushed me to a labor room and at 7:48 a.m. on September 29th, 2006 you were born into this world. I remember looking at "Jer" as you call him these days and seeing him hold you in his arms. You were so tiny. I never thought you would be big enough to call your parents by our first names, or be able to help your dad with all the projects he has going on, or sit on the toilet and read books to yourself as you are doing right now as I type this. You are such a good boy, we love you more than our arms are wide enough to reach. I thank Heavenly Father every night he sent you to me. Now you are 3, and yes you can turn 3 even though I have been telling you that you can't. You love preschool, you love all your family and friends, you love to read books, you love to play monster trucks, and you love going to nursery and learning about Jesus Christ. We are so glad you are our "little" boy and make us laugh everyday. We love you!

Love, Mom "Odessa"

Number 2

I throw up almost everyday. I have zero appetite. I cry on a whim. I've gained 11 pounds in the past 2 months. I take a nap every afternoon and still sleep 12 hours at night. My pants no longer fit and t-shirts are starting to get tight. I wake up every night to go to the bathroom. I can't get comfortable in my bed. Jeremy thinks I'm depressed, I remind him this is normal. All these things make me happy because it's all for this.....

Oh dear, I'm even crying now. I better get some sleep, it's past my bedtime.

Bridger has now been in Preschool 3 weeks and I am just now posting about the first day. So let's go back 3 weeks because I remember it like it was this morning.

Of course, I wake up at 8:25 (preschool starts at 9) and grab Bridger out of his bed. I feed him a quick breakfast which he didn't eat much because he was still half asleep. I throw a cute outfit on him and grab what I thought was everything we needed. It is now 8:51 and it takes 13 minutes to get there. We are going to be late on his first day so I begin to speed. Bridger than starts to cry at about 8:55 and tells me we forgot his poster board that we had made the night before that is all about him and that gets to hang on the wall at school. I try to convince him that I will bring it when I pick him up but he cries even harder. I am a little irritated and turn around. It is 8:58 and I arrive home and get his poster board. Off we go again..... We finally arrive at 9:09 which was fine because almost every child was crying and the parents were still there. Bridger starts to whine a little and I begin to cry alot (reasons-look at post about me). His teacher scoops him up and takes him over to a dump truck- by now he has stopped crying and forgot I was even there. I am crying even harder at this point thinking I'm being ignored and replaced for a dump truck. Anyways I collect myself and drive away and realize I have to find something to do for the next 2 hours without my little small friend that follows me around every day. I run errands and realize it is time to pick him up. He was so happy to see me and tells me that he loves school. He hasn't cried since that day, although he does whine a little when Jeremy takes him because he can't possibly think of anything that "Jer" would do without him.

He is learning to write his letters and the sounds they make. His favorite thing is going outside for the last few minutes and playing on the slides, swings and the dirt. Imagine that-he is all boy.

He still calls me Odessa and Jeremy- "Jer." He is getting big way too fast and I keep reminding him we can celebrate his birthday on Tuesday but he has to stay 2 forever. He tells me he will be 3 and the birthday boy gets birthday cake. Man, I can't trick him for anything!

The other night I was giving him a bath and I asked him what he was doing and he said "Just sitting on my tube, relaxing!" I thought maybe I need to sit on a tube every once in a while and "just relax."

Summer's Over?!

I started back to school today and it was a little rough. I am ready to get it over with just not ready for all the studying again. The 2 boys and I were able to have a fun weekend just hanging out before our lives go back to a schedule. We went to the park, ate ice cream, and stayed up TOO late.....

Bridger has taken good care of me this summer, if I'm laying on the couch he never hesistated to pat my back for about 3 seconds. He never hesistates saying "If we can have candy, I will share with you." Of course I ALWAYS take him up on that offer.

Last night I was taking a bath and he came in, took off his pants and climbed up on the edge of the tub and said "Mom, let's talk while I dip my feet in the water." He was so cute; underwear, t-shirt and all.

He loves telling me funny stories and he tricks Jeremy into anything he wants and he knows he can get away with it from his dad. I love both my boys.....

He's growing up.....

Bridger starts preschool on Wednesday! He can tell you he goes on Fridays, Mondays, and Wednesdays in that order :) We got plenty of laughs at Wal-Mart last week as he strutted around with his spiderman backpack on. It's full of school supplies and he tells me everyday he wants to go. It makes me cry but I know he will have fun and love it. I even get to take him on the first day! I will let you know how it goes....

Uncle Eddie?

Nope, it's just Bridger. He was wearing a jersey top, plaid shorts, his napolean boots, and had a tube around his waist. For a minute I thought Uncle Eddie from Christmas Vacation was riding in my car but than I realized it was just my cute little boy, Bridger!

Only Bridger

Yesterday the 3 of us were out in the garage cleaning out the boat. Bridger has a bad habit of not looking where he is going. For example, tonight at Wal-Mart he was looking down an isle and ran into an empty cart. Yesterday he wasn't so lucky and ran into the prop on the back of the boat. It is very sharp and he cried instantly, I was sure he had gotten his eyeball. Luckily it was a 1/2 inch away, otherwise he might be blind in one eye. Today it is starting to turn black otherwise it is healing just fine!

Utah

Last week, My mom, Jewls and I decided to head to Utah with Bridger and Max. We were watching him while Shayla and Brig spent a few days in and around Yellowstone. The boys were great travelers, although Bridger had to pee about every 1-2 hours, thank goodness for empty water bottles :) It was so fun to see my grandparents, of course I sobbed a little when we left as I usually do. We got down there Wednesday night and went straight to Tim's parents house to see Morgan and her 3 little China girls. They had flown in about 3:00 that day back to the states from their 2 year stay in Shanghai. It was so fun to see them again. Tally and Bridger will get along great, little busters!

Thursday we spent the day hanging out at my grandparents house. Jewls and I went to the mall for a couple of hours but weren't really in the shopping mood. Instead we ate at P.F. Changs and later had snowies for dessert! On Friday we played outside with the Kuehne girls and went and watched my cousin Lindsee play soccer in 95* weather, boy it was hot! Friday night was the Gilbert (my mom's) family reunion, we went swimming, ate pizza and than had a talent show. Our family (as in my mom, Jewls, Morgan and her 3 girls and Bridger and I) sang "I am a Child of God" and than Tally and Adayla sang it in Chinese for everyone, it was super cute! Saturday morning we woke up and headed up Provo Canyon to hang out with everyone again before heading back to Gillette. It was a beautiful park and perfect for the boys to run around for a few hours before getting in the car for 8 hours. Here are a few pictures from the trip...

Bridger and Max 10 miles out of Gillette on the way down to Utah.....Below is a picture of my cousin Megan and Bridger, he is wearing a Wyoming Jersey for the simple reason we like to get an uproar out of all the BYU fans.....Bridger looks like he is choking Max, But really they are both laughing and Bridger is hugging him a little on the rough side.....

Tally is the best little smiler for any picture. She kept telling me the whole time we were down there "We came back to Amerikuh" It was so dang cute! Adayla would tell me that my Chinese is Bu Hao (not good) and we would both laugh. They both think its the coolest thing that they have their own Taxi (their car that they kept at Tim's parents house) here in America, they rode in taxi's the whole time in China. They also called me Sher fu, while we were driving a few places in Utah which means taxi driver in Chinese. We all had a good time giggling at their funny stories!

Another softball season, another injury (or 2)

We are back again for our 2nd softball season, although only about 5 players are the same as last year. We have played 4 games and won 3 of them! Wahoo, we are off to a much better start than last season. The first game Jeremy decided to slide even though he was wearing shorts and in the 3rd game I was playing center field when a guy hit a line drive, I backed up at first and than realized I should try and catch it without it taking a bounce. I guess I had my glove the wrong way as well, oops. I went down instantly thinking my knee cap had been shattered, luckily it wasn't. It has been almost 2 weeks and the bruise is finally disappearing even though I still do not have feeling in and around my knee, just a few damaged nerves I'm sure. Anyway, here are the results.....

My Birthday....

Was bittersweet. On July 22nd I drove down to Laramie to spend the night with Josie and Jewls in Cheyenne. At 10:00 that night Josie went running while Jewls and I walked/ran 3 miles- I thought I was going to die. The next day I slept in, almost forgetting it was my "golden" birthday. The 3 of us got ready and drove to Cheyenne to do some shopping and than attended the Kellie Pickler/Taylor Swift concert at Cheyenne Frontier Days. I had so much fun hanging out with them-we laughed ALL day and enjoyed people watching at the concert. At the concert.......... We saw a guy try to slip a volunteer $20 to get him and his friends to the front of the line- it only got him a few giggles from the 3 yahoos standing behind him (Us), Jewls about got knocked over by the overweight girl dancing out of control 2 inches in front of her, we were told by the 60 year old lady behind us that we were sweet and to inform all of our parents, I thought she was going to pass out when I told her we were SISTERS, she bought Josie and Jewls but was a little skeptical about throwing me into the fam? The concert was alright, Taylor Swift is a bit odd but whatever who wouldnt be-being 19 and worth 32 million? Jewls and Josie made it so much more fun! It was a great birthday- I missed my boys so bad that Jewls and I drove home that night after the concert to pull into the driveway at 3 a.m. Here are a few pictures from the concert, they make it appear we were standing close but we were actually to the right of the stage about 30 ft and everyone in front of us was taller than the 3 Skinner girls =)

I thought it would be fun to make a list. 23 things I've accomplished in 23 years....

1. Married in the Temple to the greatest husband in the World!

2 Gave birth to a baby, whose almost 3

3. Been a student since the day I graduated-5 years ago and still figuring out what I want to be when I grow up =)

4. Graduated from High School with honors

5. Served in the Primary for the last 2 years

6. Been told I look like Jennifer Anniston at least 10 times, appreciated that until I realized she turned 40 this year! Am I aging that fast?

7. Survived Bacterial Meningitis while 18 weeks pregnant

8. Bought and Sold our first house by the precious age of 21

9. Learned the true meaning of "Count Your Blessings"

10. Won a COED softball tournament

11. Bought a boat-kinda spur of the moment....

12. Laid 5000 sf of Sod in 3 hours, with the help of others of course

13. Backed over Jeremy's motorcycle (not proud of that just glad I survived =)

14. Learned I'm not organized, I'm Obsessive Compulsive about some things, for example when and where and what is going on?

15. Drank 64 oz. of Dr. Pepper in 20 minutes, only to learn that Jeremy can beat me in a "How Long can you hold your bladder contest?"

16. Had 4 different Jobs- My Current one at the hospital is the best ever!

17. Almost won a state soccer championship- lost in a shootout in the championship game my sophomore year

18. Adopted a VERY expensive dog from the pound who is now best friends with Bridger

19. Attended 6 concerts including my all time fav-Kenny Chesney
20. Given a "Clinical in Excellence" Scholarhip- My last year of nursing school is paid for!

21. Survived being hit my a DRUNK driver

22. Traveled to China

23. Sent/Recieved almost 100,000 texts

If only every nap could be this peaceful.....

and the drum roll please......

As I start typing this post I'm already starting to giggle. Bridger is growing up so fast. Daily he reminds us of the simple things in life that make us happy. He still sleeps in his crib. He is 2 letters away from spelling his name. He knows about 100 books front to back. He still takes good naps every afternoon, unless we are at the lake of course. Everytime I threaten to get rid of Buddy, he says "mom, Buddy is my friend you cannot get rid of him." He talks about President Obama almost daily. He often still refers to us as Jeremy and Odessa not mom and dad. He will be starting Preschool in September 3 days/week even though he tells me he wants to go to Kindergarten. The other day he asked me if Jeremy and I went to high school, I replied yes. With a very serious look on his face he asked, "Odessa, who watched me while you and Jeremy went to high school?" I am realizing I passed on some of my OCD traits. He wants to know when, where, & what time he needs to be somewhere. He hesitates going to nursery but loves it once he is there. He can sing me lots of primary songs and prays for President Monson every prayer he says. He shows me how much he loves me by holding his little arms out as wide as he can and tells me he loves me this much, than he stretches a little further and tells me thats how much he loves daddy :) He is also the bad word police. If he hears anyone and I mean anyone say a bad word of any kind he tells them to go to time out and he wants to talk to them when they are done "finking" about what they did. Just ask Aunt Josie she had a few slipups this past weekend :) Overnight I think he grew 2 inches. He can no longer walk under the island in our kitchen without hitting his head and Jeremy's favorite pajama pants to put on him are a bit too small/short. They still fit perfect in the waist just not the length. Take a look for yourself.....
The hat is one that little Grandma gave him a few months ago. At first he didnt want anything to do with it and now he loves wearing it around the house and is super sill with it on.

Jeremy...

I think Jeremy is getting a kick out of watching me struggle adjusting to working nights. It truly does screw a person's body up. He loves taking the boat out to the lake and in only a few days has gotten an AMAZING tan. Bridger is his little buddy with me working so much lately. Jeremy loves hanging out with Bridger and they get to do lots of fun things while I'm at work. He is still working at Cordero and with 7 straight days off a month, it gives him plenty of time to get things done around the house and leave time for the lake :) We both have the entire week off together in July and August so we will get plenty of time to just hang out or if anyone knows of a fun vacation spot we are up for suggestions?

Update

The last 3 weeks have been a blur for me, I have been working 40+ hours/week and to top that off they have been straight nights. It has been a good experience, as I am much more grateful for Jeremy and his shift-work. To say the least, I love my job and am so glad I chose nursing. I have one more week of orientation and than I'm on my own. To give you an idea of what I will be doing..... When you go to the hospital to have your baby there is a Labor and Delivery Nurse that basically does everything until the Dr. walks in the room to catch the baby, I will start Labor & Delivery next May when I am done with my RN year. For now, I will be the nursery nurse that the Dr. hands the baby off to after delivery. I give a few newborn meds within minutes of birth, wipe the infant dry, suction the baby and give oxygen if the baby is struggling. It is such a rush to experience the miracle of life day after day! I have experienced a woman on meth deliver a child, women with no epidurals, and a twin delivery! You can bet I will get an epidural with the next baby I have!

The newest addition to the Jensen family.......

Miami! (funny that's what we were going to name Bridger if he was a girl but instead we named our new Boat!)

Family Pictures....

Here we go again, our most professional family photo session....

I think Jeremy was rolling his eyes in the picture below because he loves when I make him take 50 bazillion pictures :)