New Arrival On It's Way!

We've been trying and waiting for a dozen years, but it's finally happened! We are expecting a little bundle of joy in February, the 8th to be exact! Today we are 12 1/2 weeks along. We tried naturally conceiving, foster care, and even adoption. None of them worked. Allen losing his job was the biggest blessing of all time!
I was excited for the future when he lost his job. I had no clue as to why at the time. I now know it was because that needed to happen in order to make it possible for our family to grow. His new insurance covered IVF. Lucky for us we only had to do one round! First try less than six months after he lost his job and we got pregnant!
I just hope now that we have gone public with it that nothing devastating will happen and we have to tell everyone it's not happening anymore. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and prayers would be appreciated too.

Easter

I know it's late but here it is. We had our traditional type of Easter Egg Hunt. I am so glad years ago Allen and I decided to stop and shoot our eggs after a failed egg rolling day. I had never been Easter Egg Rolling (still haven't) but that was the Jensen thing to do. Not anymore once we shared with his family what we did with our eggs, it's now all aobut blowing 'em up. We started with 10.5 doz eggs and went home with none. Quite an accomplishment if you ask me. lol

Here are some very random pics from the day.

The Fierce Karena

Dead Eggs

Here Little Bro Let Me Share My Treasure

This Is My Hot Self.  LOL

Found Somethin' Under a Rock

Pulled the Trigger No Go Boom

What a Cute Stinker

Reloading Supervisor

Allen Helping Big J Take a Shot

There Are Eggs Out There...I Promise

Hmmmm....Where to Put Them?

How 'bout in a Sage Brush

I LOVE My Man!

This Was MY Easter Egg Tree (1.5 doz eggs there)

Nap On the Way There. Wouldn't Drop the Gun

So Proud of His Work!

These Are My Beauts

Sorry so random. Just no energy to fix it for now...maybe later.

Quick Update

While Al was job hunting, our time to re update our home study came up. New policy is we needed to pay $300 for one (they used to be free) so we weren't able to just do it. The deadline was the end of March then they were going to close our file because we had been on a self-imposed hold for so long. The longer we thought about it the less we felt we should/wanted to keep our file open. So...we are not on the market to adopt any longer. Haven't been for quite a while actually, the first part of March sometime I sent our caseworker an email and just told her to close our file. I think the whole reason we felt so strongly to pursue it was to make it possible for us to get involved with Foster Care and keep the family group of 8 kids together (long story and a long time ago).
Meanwhile, I am now working as a Phys Therapist Aide and loving it! I was so scared to go back to work because the last place I worked was so so so hostile. I hated going to work, so much so sometimes I would cry at night because I didn't want to face another day there. But this new job...LOVE IT! I even go in a bit early somedays of my own accord.
Allen is loving his job too! The atmosphere where he is is pretty laid back (something Micron/IMFT never was) and the people he works with he enjoys. But the work he LOVES! It is his favorite thing to do though, tinkering with little electronic things all day long.
The really strange part about it is our schedules are so similar, we haven't had that since the first couple years we were married. I love seeing him every morning and every night. We even get the same weekends!

Really? The New Year Already? Oy!

Where to begin? Okay, really there's not much to tell. Not a whole lot went on but, emotions and stress ran thick and deep.
Come Christmas day Allen had been out of work for 1 1/2 months. I didn't think we would ever make it if he lost his job but apparently we were doing better than we thought, OR we can really do without more things than we thought. lol
Since the day we found out he may be losing his job my thoughts and feelings have been of excitement mostly, but there has been anxiety and concerned mixed in there. The excitement to move up and on in life never left me though. This was very strange to me. I always assumed if we had to deal with job loss and unemployment I would freak out...and not just a little.
At the same time I kept feeling like there was a lesson to be learned in all of it. Last Sunday in Sacrament Meeting I think I finally figured it out. Not only did it happen to serve us a big warm dish of humble pie (which it did), it made it possible for the Lord to bless us a LOT. By this happening my testimony has been strengthened and I think it's safe to assume Allen's has too (not that his faith ever waivers, he's got such a strong spirit). A quote from a Bible Church sign has been popping into my head since about a week after Allen lost his job, "Is the Lord your steering wheel or your spare tire?". Every time it pops in there it makes me stop and think about how I have been living my life, and of course I know it's hasn't been exactly in line with what I know to be true. Not that it's been way off track but I know I could be doing better. Lucky for me everyday is a new day and I can try to better than the day before. So far this year...I'm winning. Haha!
Allen started his new job on Tues (Jan 4). He seems to like it. It's really nice for him because they are a more laid back company, the biggest reason he likes it though is because he gets to work on small electronic components doing soldering and stuff. He loves doing that! I am so happy he has a job that he likes and is busy all the time, as opposed to waiting for a machine to break so he can fix it. When I look in his eyes now I can see life. He really was done with his previous job. I think it had been years since he enjoyed it. I am so grateful to have a man that would do something he really didn't enjoy (whatsoever) to support his family.
He sent a resume to a company a week or so ago that he really want to work for. He found the posting on the Workforce Services job search. They said on there though that it was taken from an ad in a paper. When he looked up the company to apply their website said there were currently no openings. But because he's always dreamed of doing a job like that he decided to send them a resume and brief cover letter anyway in hopes they would keep it on file for a while and maybe he would get a call if there was a job opening soon. To his surprise (and mine) his first day at work on his first break his phone rings and he answers it. It was this company calling to set up an interview because they are so interested in having him work for them! His interview is tomorrow. I can't wait to see what happens! It makes me so excited for him that my heart skips a beat when I think about it. I really hope this is the "moving up and on" that I have been hoping for. He would be so happy and love his job!
We are really hoping this year is the year our family will get to grow and increase in size. At the present moment though it's a bit impossible unless by some miracle we can find our own birth mother. Since Allen lost his job we don't have insurance and until very recent we have had no income, both of which are necessary to have our profile published. Not only that before we get published we need to update our home study, in order to that we have to come up with $300. Hopefully it's just a momentary set back.
We almost had a birth mom a few weeks ago though. Allen's parents knew someone who knew of a woman wanting to place her baby. Two days though, two lousy days, before they were able to talk to her about it someone else talked to her and they are going to get to adopt the baby. Sad for us, happy for them. =) We're okay with it though because everything happens the way it does for a reason. Apparently that baby belonged in their family.
We've thought about Foster Care to build our family and talked about it. Neither one of us feels that's the way to go at this point though. As far as making a family we are at a loss. We don't know what we are supposed to do (besides adoption...when we are able to get that back on track). I guess we'll see where 2011 takes us, with the Lord as our steering wheel of course.
Oh, by the way, Christmas was good. We spent the morning at my baby brother's house. We were there, my mom and dad were there, my oldest brother was there and of course Sam and Shilo and all 5 of their kids. To say the least it was entertaining. I was going to get pictures but I forgot my camera at home. Oh well, we had fun. Then on the 26th we made a flying trip down to Cedar City to Allen's baby brother's house, on the way we stopped and picked up his mom, dad, grandma and sister. Did I mention we picked up Jayson to take to his dad's. Not to mention all the gifts that were being delivered . The Expedition was full to capacity. Spending their Christmas afternoon with them was fun too. We got to see lots of kids being spoiled this year. Really kind of sad we didn't get to add to the spoiling. hehe It's really okay though, next Christmas will be better.
I guess for not having much to tell I sure said a lot of words. Seems to be a pretty regular thing lately.

Christmas is Coming to Town

Here it is 12 days til Christmas already! Good news is, we are ready for Christmas. All the gifts are bought that we are going to buy. Total spent, $2.00 + tax.
The Christmas tree is up and decor is out, this year we even put up a few lights.
All I want for Christmas this year is Allen to have a job, and it would be a big bonus if I could find one too.
I have always felt bad for those people who lose their jobs right before the holidays. I knew the stress would be killer, I just never thought it would happen to us. I guess looking for the silver lining...I'm glad we don't have kids that need Santa to visit Christmas Eve night. Not saying we don't want kids (quite the opposite, I assure you), just saying it may be a blessing that we don't have them yet because they would be very disappointed Christmas morning. Maybe next Christmas we'll be blessed to have a family of our own.
This Christmas we have been invited out to my baby brother's house to enjoy the morning excitement and festivities with them. I am excited because last year it was so fun to watch the kids open their presents. Although, I'm sure it felt like pure torture for them waiting for us and my parents to show up so they could open them. LOL
I guess what I'm saying is I am sad that we have no income to make it possible to buy Christmas for others, and sad we don't have a family of our own. I am however very excited to spend Christmas morning with my brother's family. I love my family so much! They are the bestest!!

Thanksgiving

Sorry people I kind of suck...I was going to be good and get good pictures of everyone but with it being at my house I got a little caught up in making sure things went okay and the food got put out and keeping the mess to a minimum...you know all the crap that goes with hosting a party. Okay, to be completely honest I was probably a bit more stressed than the average person because it was at my house and crowds freak me out. Yes, I know they were all family but...still it was a lot of people for how much space there was.
It went well though, really well, me thinks. Allen deep fried one of the turkeys supplied by his baby-brother and we smoked the turkey donated by my baby-brother. They both turned out delicious! Allen's parents brought corn salad, cranberry salad and some seafood salsa (I think that's what it's called). Lucky for them I didn't eat as much of them as I wanted because it would've been gone...all of them. My parents brought yams (my favorite Thanksgiving dish) and cranberries. Allen's brother brought (besides one of the turkeys) cashew peas and green bean salad. Both yummy! I had never had green bean salad before...very strange to some.
The kids had a ton of fun playing together. I think it was really good for Allen's nephew to have my nephews over to play with. Usually he's just stuck with us stick-in-the-mud adults.
I do have two pictures to share (thank you Karena!!!)

The first is a picture of Allen's whole family.

The second picture is one I just love. My dad doesn't coo babies much or love on them. Not that he doesn't hold them and love on them, but it's just a very, very rare thing to catch him cooing to one. I just love my daddy!

Radiology

I don't know if I'm cut out for this school thing anymore. I got through the first night of class, but after talking to the instructor...eek! I'm a bit scared. First of all, because it's been a few years since I've had to wear the student hat. My brain hasn't had to retain lots of info for quite a while. Sure I have read books leadership and self-improvement type and I have learned a lot from them. But I haven't had to retain enough take a test on it or anything like that.
Second, the instructor told me that this is a very hard class. I thought to myself, "Whatever, I've taken it before and did just fine." Then the conversation went on to how much the program has changed and gotten harder since I was going through the program. He told me, basically, "Yeah, you'll be done with the classes in January, but you're gonna have to do a lot of studying on your own". Come to find out, he really thinks it will take me another couple months of independent studying to be ready for the state cert test.
Third, he expects us to read the book and know the terms. Yikes! lol I know that's the way it should be. Funny thing is this is the only class that has required a book to be read, and I don't have a book yet! Although, the instructor did let me borrow his book. I thought that was pretty cool.
I really hope I can make it through...

Bend in the Road

Allen losing his job is a major bend in the road. It has taken us from being tight financially to strangling, from me being a homemaker (waiting for a chance to be a stay home mom, my life dream) to working and part time student, from feeling pretty safe owning my "family" home to wondering if we are going to end up renting a bedroom in my best friends condo. It's a bit unnerving but very invigorating.
I'm starting a radiology class on Monday. My first thought is UGH! but seriously, I'm a bit excited to be doing something different.
I hope and pray that soon Allen finds a job that will pay him well and challenge him, benefits would be good too. lol I really hope he finds one to challenge him. He's really too smart and it takes a lot to challenge him but I think he would be sooo much happier in a job that intrigued him.
I should be scared half to death...but I am so not. I woke up before light this morning because I am so excited to move onward and upward, to have a change of pace, to change direction, to ultimately rearrange our lives. I don't know where we are going to land but I am so excited to find out.

Eeek! Never Been Here Before

Well, it seems Allen and I are embarking upon a whole new experience. One neither of us thought we would ever have to deal with...unemployment. Ugh! So far it hasn't been too bad...but it's only been since Friday. I feel lost and bit nervous about where we might end up, I'm really hoping we don't end up living in the Expedition. *nervous laugh* Nah, I know that won't happen because we have awesome friends and family. But it is a bit sad to think this Thanksgiving may be the last in the big ol' family house, another thing I thought would never change.
Don't get me wrong, I am soooo excited to see where we are going to land. There is actually more excitement than fear. I love Allen and am so proud of how he has jumped right from losing his job to looking for the next without moaning and groaning, or complaining about how stupid his old place of employment is. He hasn't complained for a minute, just onward and upward for him. We both feel, somehow, the Lord's hand is in it and there is something better waiting.
As far as the adoption process, we are moving forward as if nothing has changed. We just turned in our medical reports turned in and Tam's background check. So not too long and we should be republished. I really wonder if we are ever going to be chosen...

One Thanksgiving Celebration Down...One to Go

This is the place we have our Thanksgiving get together...usually. It's at a lodge up the canyon. So pretty up there. We usually have two or three family get-togethers a year. They always turn out fun.

This is who was there. Starting with my baby brother's family.

 

My baby bro...he's a geek but I'm proud of him none the less.

 

His wife and their newest addition.

This is my youngest nephew. So stinkin' cute!

 Youngest niece...practicing to be an artist.

This picture seems to have aged this one. She and her little sister are barely a year apart...or is it just under a year.

Deer in the headlights eyes! Hehe He makes me laugh...constantly.

Some of us are a little camera shy...or just being a stinker.

This is my older brother...he's a thinker. No, seriously, this picture is so him. His mind is always working on figuring something out.

His wife, whom didn't want pictures taken because she's "always got weird expressions" in pictures. I think this one's alright...just a bit blurry. She's still gorgeous though!

Their youngest...obviously not really young. Definitely old enough to know to run when the camera is around.

This little guy...so tender hearted. He blew this balloon up about a million times to get it to stretch this far. I won't even tell you about the pool of spit in there. Ick! Glad it didn't pop by me!

My oldest niece is turning into a young lady! I feel so old...

My nephew is already a young man. He'll be 16 in Jan! Looks like dirt on his chin but it not...it's freakin' facial hair! Love this kid...I mean, young man.

My oldest brother. Most the time he was in the kitchen but...he had to have a fire.

Of course there was two very important people there...

My Allen

and Me.

I better not forget the ones who started it all, meaning the family and the party.

My Mommy doing the grandma thing.

My Daddy. This is after set up was done and we were waiting for the rest of the family.

I was really sad my younger brother and his wife couldn't make it...money sucks, that's all I have to say about that.

Almost forgot My aunt Tam was invited because since she lives with us, she counts as immediate family. Did I mention she gets a bit snap happy too? She's so much fun!

 

Grandma played the piano for entertainment, with help of course.

 

There were games and activities to entertain the kids. What adult can resist playing with play-doh?

Here is one of many masterpieces

The fireplace had a problem. I don't know what they ended up figuring out but they did get one goin'.

Pre-meal food was enjoyed. I caught these two nuts eating some nuts and sharing with their little nut offspring.

Balloons helped entertain. As a kid a balloon could entertain me for hours.

 Little brother teasing with an over inflated balloon. lol

I walked past this table a few times and watched. I don't think any of the games got played by the "official rules". But the rules they played by seemed to be a lot more...creative.

It was very entertaining to watch the "hop on one leg" exercise.

While all this was going on in the kitchen there was always a crew of people doing one thing or another.

Then it was time to eat. Here is the guest of honor getting pulled out of it's hot oil bath.

The turkey looks good, huh? Not as good as the hottie holding it though!

It took two long tables to seat everyone there perfectly.

Good thing the littlest was a lap sitter, or maybe he got to sit out for the whole feast...hm, I don't remember.

And one table for serving.

Awww. That sucks! I didn't get a picture of it when it was full! Oh well, you all know how it would look overflowing with food. The pies we kept in the kitchen though.

There were so many and soooo good!

Notice, not all pie pieces came out whole. But they were finger lickin' good! No wiping the good stuff off here, it all went in the mouth. lol She really is a ham.

Grandpa serving the younger ones.

After eating it was relax and visit time.

My sis-in-law snuggled up with her blanky.

My poor dad, we all give him such a hard time. lol I think he would think we all hate him though if we quit giving him a hard time.

 It snowed while we were there these two were sitting in the window just watching it fall, until they saw my reflection.

 Some had to go out and see if snow is still cold.

Then everyone chipped in and helped clean up the kitchen, divy food up, and put chairs and tables away, sweep and mop, garbage and all the other stuff that goes along with cleaning up.

It was a really fun, busy and eventually relaxing get together. I love spending time with my family.

Hopefully Thanksgiving day will be just as successful with Allen's family (and some of mine mixed in).