"Always and Forever"

Last Friday was a special, sad, happy, and sacred day. My sweet Grandma Jensen passed away in her home with family around. Mikey and I had the opportunity to make it up to see her and say "good-bye" within the hour that she passed and were just in the other room when she went. We will miss her so dearly, but it was a sacred experience to be in her home while angels attended to her and to our family.

My Grandma Jensen was the cutest woman ever. She loved to throw parties and did so often. In fact, she just had her 85th birthday on June 23rd and she was able to attend her big birthday bash where there were 80 guests! Grandma made everyone feel at home and loved. She loved beautiful things and she always looked her best. Even last week when she had visitors coming over to give her their love, she made sure she was sitting up on the couch with lipstick on and her hair done. She loved sharing special moments with her family and friends.

Grandma was also very determined! She never let grass grow under her feet. About 15 years ago--if that--she wanted a new piano, but she hadn't really played the piano in years. My Grandpa Jensen told her that if she could learn to play "Autumn Leaves" and play it at a family party, he would buy her a new piano. She did just that! Grandma then took piano lessons for years! Just last week I was sitting with her and she told me that not being able to play the piano has been one of the hardest things about getting sick. She became very good at the piano and had a lot of songs memorized.

Grandma was a world traveler. Just this past September, my grandma visited my parents on their mission in Mongolia! Can you believe that? Then a few months later she went with her friends to Hawaii! She was very determined to live life to the fullest and say, "Yes!" to life.

I love her so much and want to be just like her when I grow up! I am so thrilled I am part of her eternal family. She always signed every letter and email, "Always and Forever." And that's the comforting part of all of this. "Always and forever!"

Here are a couple other perfect tributes to my perfect Grandma:

The Dockter Crew

The Thatcher Fam
The Speyer Family

Grandma's Obituary

We're meeting our new niece today! . . .

. . . and she's sixteen! And doesn't speak English!

This is Victoria! Mikey's sister (Kerry) and brother-in-law (Spencer) have just adopted beautiful Victoria from the Ukraine. Kerry and Vika (her nickname) are flying in as we speak! I'm so anxious and excited to meet her. What an adventure she has in store. She's coming home to three new darling little brothers, she doesn't speak any English, and she is leaving any family and friends she does have to move to across the world. We can't wait to welcome her into the family and get to know her. She seems like such a sweet girl.

Tidbits #1

It's almost March! Yikes! Well, here are some tidbits from the past few months. We'll cover Thanksgiving now and then go from there. :)

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We spent it with Mikey's family and Mikey smoked his first turkey. Oh.my.gosh. Delish! It definitely became a fast tradition. And it was so much easier than we thought it would be. (Well, he did most of the work, so it was really easy for me!)

It looks a little burned on the outside, but underneath that . . . heaven!

Our little smoked turkey was more of a side-dish, so Colleen also roasted a larger turkey in the oven. TWO turkeys?! Doesn't get better than that! Hello, Leftovers!

Mikey and Grandma Pete. Love her.

Darling nephew Cole

Alain "sneaking" some smoked turkey before dinner

...and the Dinner Crew (going clockwise starting from the far left): Michelle, Cole, Colleen, Russ, Pat, Grandma Pete, Mikey, Karie, Alain, Riley, Sydney, and Luke

Successful dinner! Fun day!

Does Santa Know What You're Thinking?

This week at school I read my third-graders a story about a girl who wouldn't tell her family what she wanted for Christmas. She insisted that, "Santa knows what I want!" I asked my students if they thought Santa could tell what they where thinking or if they had to say what they wanted out loud so he would know what they wanted. Their opinions were mixed, but I had one student who exclaimed, "Santa can't tell what you're thinking, but Jesus can! And He can tell Santa!"

My "Cute" Voice

Teaching 3rd grade I've definitely learned that "kids say the darnest things." Today at lunch recess I could hear a few first grade boys playing in the bathrooms. So I called into the bathrooms kind of sternly, "Boys, you need to go outside. We don't play in the bathrooms." Standing by me was this innocent little first grade girl who promptly commented to me, "You have a cute voice!" Haha, thanks! I'll have to speak sternly more often!

My Jazz Fan Has Moved . . .

. . . but just to a new web address! (Thank goodness Mikey didn't move!! :D)

Mikey has switched his Tunes-etc. blog from WordPress to Blogger, so he has a new address. To kick-off his new home, he's focused on the "etc." portion of his blog--a special tribute to his die-hard Utah Jazz fandom. Haha! He's a really clever writer. I think you'll enjoy it. Mikey and some of his buddies get together every week to also produce a Utah Jazz Fan Podcast. So, if you or any of your husbands are into that, check it out. It's pretty cool!

Mikey will, of course, continue to post blogs about music he loves and thinks you might like. For sure add his blog to your reader, because he'll soon be posting a lot of our favorite Christmas music. You'll love it! (And we don't make money off the blog--it's just purely for fun!)

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! And now I can say . . . Merry Christmas!

Shutterfly's 50 Free Cards for Bloggers!

Calling all BLOGGERS! You may have already heard of this awesome promotion that Shutterfly is doing this year...but I'll tell you anyway! I love Shutterfly's photo merchandise. Mikey and I have made photobooks for individual vacations that we have loved and they're so much fun to look back at. Our Shutterfly books have turned out so beautifully. The quality is great. And I'm thrilled to try their Holiday Card Collection this year! Who can pass up their fresh and colorful designs.... plus bloggers get 50 FREE cards! What could be better?! I have never been disappointed in their products or delivery. Oh... and don't forget their special offers right now, including free shipping if you spend 30 dollars or more! Why is free shipping so awesome!?

Want in on 50 FREE Holiday Cards?

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Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up:http://bit.ly/sfly2010

I am trying to decide which card to use. Such a big decision! Here are a few of my favorites from the flat stationary line...

Halloween 2010

Mikey & I love dressing up for Halloween. Neither of us were Halloween Nuts growing up, but it became an instant tradition with us when we were engaged. So, here are the pics from this year! We were pretty excited about our weight loss. Mikey lost about 300 pounds and I lost about 200! Wahoo!

If you'd like to see past years' costumes, click here and here.