Boring April Fool's Day

 April 1: I had a couple of interpreting jobs today as usual. Tonight we had the missionaries over for dinner. Part of their assignment is the Deaf Branch and they wanted us to teach them some sign language. We taught them a bunch of signs and then I helped Josh deliver the cookie dough from his soccer fundraiser.

At the end of the day Jenna complained that Dad hadn't done any fun April Fool's jokes. We have many hilarious videos in our home video collection of April Fool's jokes through the years (mostly instigated by Rick). You can read about some of those HERE! However, they have lessened through the years. Jenna said that her friends even asked her, "What did your Dad do for April Fools?" She was disappointed to report that he didn't do anything. Perhaps he will have to step up his game next year!  

Happy Birthday, Rick!!

Dear Rick: Happy Birthday!! I know that you don’t like us to spend money for your birthday, so we decided on something that will be free and hopefully a little more memorable. For your birthday this year we decided that everyone would write something about you -- a favorite memory or a trait we admire. Some are a little more verbose than others, ha ha, but hopefully you enjoy these little thoughts!   

Janika:

I remember multiple times in middle and high school hanging out with my friends up in my room and suddenly hearing an incredibly loud tenor voice belting something along the lines of "GO GO GO JOSEPH YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY" and my friends would give me this weird look and be like "... Is that your DAD?" Yep. Yep it is. 

(Wendy: True! I don't remember him singing that song, but I can remember him singing many other songs including "Close Every Door to Me" from Joseph!) 

I feel like dad has made me such an efficient grocery shopper! I feel so organized and thrifty with all the local sales and our food storage because of the tips he taught me. I also admire how well he knows the scriptures and how much he still recognizes he needs to learn. I think it's easy to assume that after reading them a few times you know enough, but he's constantly studying more and more to take it all in. I also admire and appreciate how open and quick he is to act on revelation received, because that can be a difficult thing sometimes. 

Brandon: 

When we went to the Jordan River Temple open house we went out to eat at Culver's after and as we were sitting there eating, a couple of young adults walked by and apparently Rick knew them because he proceeded to talk to them for a good little bit. It had been a while since he had seen them, but he was still just as excited and happy to talk to them as if they had been his best friends. Ironically as we went out to Culver's in Logan a few weeks ago the same thing happened. So apparently every time we go to Culver's anywhere in the world, Rick will know someone there.

One thing I really admire about Rick is that he is always so friendly to everyone. He always makes time to talk to people, especially when they need it. It is great to see the love he has for friends, family, and pretty much everyone else that is in his life. He sets a great example for everyone.

Janika: 

I feel like dad has made me such an efficient grocery shopper! I feel so organized and thrifty with all the local sales and our food storage because of the tips he taught me. I also admire how well he knows the scriptures and how much he still recognizes he needs to learn. I think it's easy to assume that after reading them a few times you know enough, but he's constantly studying more and more to take it all in. I also admire and appreciate how open and quick he is to act on revelation received, because that can be a difficult thing sometimes. 

Jase: 

I remember two things about dad growing up. The first one is that dad is great at making April fool's jokes. I remember one year he walked around the house for a few hours talking about how sick he was and how he just needed a nap and didn't feel good. After doing that for a while he came up behind me while I wasn't looking and "threw up" all over me! He had a water canteen hidden in his shirt and poured warm water all over me. I remembered I turned around and was livid! I started really freaking out about how gross that was and was even more mad when I found out it was a joke. He had another prank one year where he was changing the baby's diaper and carried a spare one filled with water. I remember he walked up to Jaiden and asked her if she would take the diaper out. Before she could ask why he didn't wrap it shut he pretend tripped and threw it directly at her face. Jaiden, thinking it was pee, burst into tears and ran away screaming. I hope that one day I can have the same finesse at teasing my own children as a dad.

(Wendy: I thought it would be fun to add the home video here!)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmnoqJRhx20&list=PLQh7P_fNwgwhBDHctceKbQ1sqFkcZLVx7&index=10 

I will spare you the second one because it is a little inappropriate, but if you want to hear it, I will tell it to Mom later!

Another thing I really admire about Dad is his ambition and support. I feel like Dad has made me the go-getter that I am today. For starters, I feel like I am in a great position financially than I would have been without him and his advice. He has always helped me make the best possible decisions I can and has also helped me strive to improve. I feel like one of the reasons I have chosen such a difficult major in college is because he has taught me to do my best. He is easy to talk to and is helpful and I enjoy his company. I mostly appreciate how much he has improved as a father throughout his lifetime and he has shared those experiences with me so that I can try to do my best as a husband and father as well. I couldn't have asked for a better example!

 Ellen:  

I think one of my favorite times with Dad was last "Christmas Eve" when he pulled out nightgowns for everyone to wear. Everyone just thought it was the funniest thing ever - but we all love our comfy nightgowns and still wear them. I also love it when he wakes up from a nap or is getting ready to go to bed and is walking around in his nightgown and slippers looking absolutely exhausted. The other day you called Jase and I to tell us that you guys tested positive for covid, and that dad was just like, "oh my gosh" when you told him. I could picture him so vividly in his nightgown, with his sick sock around his neck, and could hear his exact tone of voice when he said those words to you in imagination.  😂

One thing that I admire about dad is that he is always so inclusive. It can be scary becoming a part of a new family, but I have always felt so welcomed and loved - between getting my own nightgown to hearing him laugh at my jokes (usually at Jase's expense). I love all the time I get to spend talking with you guys, especially my interview. Thankyou for making me feel so loved and a part of the family! 

Jared: 

I remember being but a foolish 5 year old and Jase being but a foolish 7 year old. Jase and I were assigned to do some cleaning outside (I think it was to clean the shed or something) anyways we started goofing off and not staying very focused on what we were supposed to do. I think we started shooting some hoops or playing tag around the backyard and dad saw us through the kitchen window. He told us that we needed to do our work or else he would punish us, and we complained and so dad picked up Jase's bike and threw it in the garbage can! I remember we both lost it! Tears down Jase's face because his bike is unreachable, tears down my face because who am I supposed to ride with now?! Dad told us if we didn't finish it was going to the dump but if we did finish he would pull it back out. It was pretty motivating and we got the job done. This makes me laugh now every time I think about it. 

I admire Dad a lot because although he's pretty humble about it, he's actually an incredible seminary and gospel teacher. I remember that when he was my session director at EFY I saw this firsthand. Janika warned me that having dad as your session director isn't great because he'll make you sing or share your testimony in front of everybody and he'll embarrass you. But I actually was pretty ok with my chance to show all the ladies on the very first day that I have a strong testimony. ;) Anyways the point is at that EFY not only did dad give me the publicity needed to get several phone numbers, but I was able to see him teach with a lot of power from the spirit. Lessons learned from that EFY and many afterwards have guided me throughout my life when I have to face important decisions or have opportunities to lead others. I feel these lessons came from one of the greatest examples I've ever had! My dear old dad! (Yeah I'm in Literature 2600 so I guess you could say my ability to just rhyme like that came from somewhere.) But for reals dad is always open to talk and let us children learn and I'm really grateful for everything he's taught! 

Janelle: 

I love the way that Dad gets so into the stories he tells us. I remember one time when I was little, during caroler practice we were doing the story activity where we would have to act out a scene in the story. Dad was talking about how the main characters were at school and they were tied up with toilet paper by the bad guy, and we all questioned why they couldn't break out of toilet paper. Dad responded, "It is SCHOOL toilet paper." It was so funny and I still remember the jokes that we would make about SCHOOL toilet paper. Dad gets so invested in his stories, and his jokes are so funny. It is a pleasure to be around him. 

(Jaiden: lol Janelle, do you remember the story about Henrietta Gutenberg?????)

I really admire so many things about Dad. For one, he is so good with people, his stories and personality just captivates everyone around him. Another thing that I admire is his straightforwardness. Dad is very direct and doesn't sugar coat. This is a very good skill that not very many people have. I remember once when I was goofing off (It was while I had my learner's permit) and I wasn't taking anything seriously. Afterward Dad came up to me and told me that if I couldn't learn to focus, he wouldn't take me driving. I was a little hurt, mostly my pride, as I took in his statement. But the desire to get my license won out and I learned to focus. It was thanks to Dad's direct and straightforward communication that was so clear it couldn't be misunderstood, that I learned to focus and drive safely.  

Jaiden:  

I remember one year at the new years Eve party dad was doing his outstanding dance (probably to a recording of himself singing😂) and all of the sudden he ripped off his shirt and had a sparkly vest underneath!

I admire how dad is a really great teacher. He has taught me many things, from lessons about work, to lessons about church! I love being able to learn how to apply these lessons to the real world!

Josh:  

What I like about dad is that he is always willing to spend time with his children. (Even if he's not always capable.) He is always happy to go play pickleball, even if he can only last one game without getting tired or something. 

Jenna: 

My favorite memory of dad is when he's trying to teach us the new fathers day flee dance and sometimes when he forgets how to do it. Another fun memory  is when where at mother's day tea and dad dresses up in funny costumes and makes us all enter outside, and one of my favorites is when dad says he won't buy more sugar and the next day there is 7 bins of ice cream in the freezer or he asks me to bake him something sweet!

What I like about dad is when he wants something done he gets it done and I like that my dad is a teacher in seminary so if I have a question he will have a answer 

Wendy: 

I really admire Rick's perseverance. He took his interpreter test around 6 or 7 times before he finally passed. I would probably have given up after the first or second time. Having him earn his interpreter certification has been a huge blessing to our family. Rick is a go-getter and when he really wants something, he doesn't accept defeat, but keeps trying until he accomplishes it! He was the first person in his family to graduate from college (and then go on to get his master’s degree) and was also the first amongst all his siblings to get married in the temple. He has been able to overcome a lot of challenges, which had helped our family immensely. I really admire that! 

I also admire Rick's teaching ability -- in Seminary, EFY, and especially within the family. I love the lessons and insights that he teaches our family on an everyday basis as well as during special occasions such as Father's Day Flee. I love that Rick puts that together every year -- it is such an amazing tradition! Rick is also pretty much a musical genius and I am grateful that so many of our children inherited the gift of music. I am grateful that Rick takes such good care of our family in so many ways! Rick makes everything more fun – I love how he makes me laugh! I feel so blessed to have Rick by my side! Love you, Rick!! 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 

 

April Fool's Day

What?  Not one prank today?  That's not like our family!  I did fool the elementary school kids by saying we were going to have another baby (thank goodness that's not true)!  And Janika and one of her guy friends did  one of those middle-school pranks by pretending that they were now "in a relationship."  (That facebook notification sure causes a stir).  Thank heavens that's not true either. She turns sixteen in December and can then group date and go to school dances, but I sure hope I don't see the facebook announcement "in a relationship" for a very very very long time!   

April Fool's Day!

Well, unlike last year when the pranks were going non-stop all day long, this year was pretty quiet and for the most part I forgot that it was April Fool's Day.  But my son wants me to post about his pranks and so I will.  Jase fooled with the computer but Janika had it all back up and working by the time Rick and I were even out of bed.  I almost got taken in when all of the toilets were yellow, even after flushing them....but then I realized what day it was.  That was Jase's and Jared's brain child.  You will understand where our kids get this kind of thinking from when you read about Rick's prank.

In the late afternoon, Rick's prank was to fill up a clean diaper with water and then after changing Jenna, he called one of the kids to come throw away the diaper and then threw the diaper at them so that it opened and splattered all over them.  He actually did it to a few of the kids.  Jaiden's reaction was the funniest.  She started screaming and running around the house and threw herself on the floor kicking and screaming.  I probably should have been scolding Rick instead of laughing but I couldn't help myself.  I even videotaped the whole thing -- great blackmail material. You can watch that HERE! Meanwhile the phone rang with someone calling for "President Jensen."  I picked up the phone but couldn't even say "hello" because I was laughing so hard.  Here some church person was calling and all he could hear was screaming and complete chaos coming from our house.  I finally choked out a "hello" and Rick took the call outside.  I can only imagine what he the person on the line was thinking.

But the the prank that really had me befuddled was unknowingly done by the youngest in our home -- our 18 month old.  Somehow she was playing with the phone and erased our answering phone message replacing it with her baby babbling.  How she recorded herself, I will never know.   But when a mortgage company called asking about refinancing options I didn't answer the phone.  When they left a message I could hear a baby babbling in the background.  It sounded like one of the phones was off the hook, but Jenna was right next to me.  I was pretty sure there weren't toddlers running around the Wells Fargo office.  Then Discover Card called and again I let the answering machine pick it up.  It sounded again like the phone was off the hook and they were saying "Hello, is Rick or Wendy there?"  Then there was the baby babbling again and they were saying "Hello?  Hello?"  I looked around and all of my kids were sitting there on the snack bar.  Who was playing with phone?  Again I knew that Discover Card didn't have kids on their end.  Finally after I called our home number and the same baby babbling came up again, I realized that Jenna had somehow recorded herself.  What a monkey!  She sure had me fooled!

Jared's Track Meet

Well, our family up in Salt Lake got dumped with snow today -- a little Mother's Nature's April Fools.  We, on the other hand, were blessed with clear blue skies and sunshine.  I was very grateful because the weather man predicted a 66% chance of rain and we definitely didn't want rain on the day of our kids' track meet!  But don't let the sunshine fool you -- it was still cold!!  I had Jenna and Josh were all snuggled up in blankets next to me as we sat on the bleachers waiting for Jared's turn to race.  An an hour or so I called Rick to see if he could come get the kids so that they could warm up.  It was his lunch break and so he brought them back with him for awhile.  When he needed to teach, I came and got them and brought them back with me.

Jared did very well in his events.  He ran the 400, the 100, the 400 relay, and did the standing long jump.  In the 400 he got first in his heat and qualified for the finals.  He was booking!!  I didn't get any pictures from that race because I was video-taping it but I did get a couple from the finals in the 100 meter.  That's him in the middle with the gray shirt and red shorts.

In the 400 finals he got fourth and the 100 finals he got fifth.   His relay teach took third and Jared got first place in the standing long jump.  Way to go Jared!!!  I just have to mention something I LOVE about this kid!  He always reminds us to pray before he leaves for school and then comes and give me a big hug -- not just a quick one, but a big bear hug that lasts several seconds.  I love it! After one of the races I put my hand up to give him a high five and instead he gave me a big hug -- right there in front of all of his friends.  What a great kid!  I am a proud happy mom!

 

It ended up being a long day because I needed to help walk Jared's class back to the elementary school after the track meet was finished.  I had Josh and Jenna in the double jogging stroller, which is out of alignment and so I had to keep adjusting it.  The kids had fun walking back (it is a little over a half mile) and kept pumping their arms at all of the cars so that they would honk at them.  I had to keep urging the stragglers on who kept falling further and further behind.  I was very tired by the time I walked all of the kids to the school and then walked my own kids home!

More April Fools Jokes

Okay, by evening I was definitely ready for this day to be over with! Rick usually has some good pranks up his sleeve, but he has been really bogged down with Branch President responsibilities lately and so he didn't have time to even think about it his year.

Janika, on the other hand, was on hyper drive. There were the morning pranks (see next post) and then there were the afternoon and evening pranks. So after a fake beating, fake poop, fake vomit...okay, you get the idea. How invented this "holiday" anyway?

April Fools!

The day had just begun and I was already April Fooled. At 6:50 a.m. I went to open my door only to find my hand covered in Vaseline. Thanks Janika. After my walk I found the boys in the kitchen. Jase said, "Yeah, Janika tried smearing vaseline on our doorknobs but I just picked up my shirt off the floor and got it off." Oh great -- I guess that shirt is going to the DI. Then he tells me he used two shirts -- one for his bedroom doorknob and one for the bathroom doorknob. Is there anyway to get vaseline out of clothes? A minute later I hear Jase yelp. I enter to kitchen to find him drenched. Janika had put a rubber band around the sprayer thing attached to the sink so that if anyone turned on the water faucet they would get blasted with water by the sprayer. So I guess she got him after all. Then Jared went to demonstrate how that worked and I was drenched as well. Then neither computer would work and I checked the mouse and Jase had put a little piece of tape on the bottom of it. Jase and Jared had dumped applesauce in the utensils. (Not funny -- they had to clean that one up!) Jared wrote "April Fools" with mustard on the kitchen counter (he had to clean that one up too). Janelle handed me a cup and said, "Here mom, I got you a drink of water!" I expressed my thanks while dumping it down the sink (wondering if she had gotten it out of the toilet). She started to laugh, "It had soap in it!" "Well, you certainly fooled me, didn't you?" Then Jaiden said, "It's not fair, I want to do an April Fool's trick." I said, "How about this. You run make your bed and then I will check it and say 'hey, who made this bed?' Then you can say, 'I did -- April Fools!' " She lit up, "Okay!" and ran off. I checked her bed and sure enough it was made. She giggled, "say it mom, say it!" Worked like a charm!

April Fool's Day!

For April Fools Rick and the kids played a funny joke on me. I came out of my Sign Language class and realized that the car was missing. In its place was Janika's little bike with a note attached to it and a bright pink head-band with two pink braids. Laughing, I read the note which was a rhyming poem saying I had to ride the bike in three large circles around the parking lot with the pink braids on my head while singing and screaming at the top of my lungs, “Attention…I’ve been April Fooled!!” Rick and the kids were hiding in a borrowed van video-taping the whole thing!