Baby Everett is here!!

Everett Hayes Jenson: Born May 30, 2022 

Brandon sent us the following text Monday night: “Baby Everett came and hour or so ago. He gave us quite the scare when his heart rate dropped out of nowhere, low enough that about 6 nurses came into the room and then whisked Janika away. Once she got strapped to the c-section table his heart rate started to stabilize a little bit and we waited to see if he would continue to improve. Luckily, he did, and they never did figure out why that happened. They gave us the option to either go back to the room and wait it out and see if it happened again, and if it did, they'd rush into emergency c section again, or we can just go ahead and do a c-section now. We said a quick prayer and decided to just get a c-section right now, and all went well. Scariest hour or so ever though. Everett Hayes Jenson is 7.0 lbs even and 20 inches long, born at 6:17 PM.  Everyone kept commenting on how sometimes they get some not very cute babies but this one is so cute! We are so happy to have him here!!!!”

Brandon said later that the medical staff said that if they had decided to "wait it out," it might be another 12 hours of labor or more and that it is better to do a c-section while the baby is stable, rather than struggling). Since Janika had gestational diabetes, they were planning on inducing her a week early (her due date was this Friday), but then she tested positive for Covid. Then Brandon got it a few days later. So, they postponed her induction date a few days. Since Janika did such a great job of managing her blood sugars, I wondered if they would have her wait even longer until they were both over Covid for sure, but I am not sure what the protocol and reasons are for inducing early for pregnancies involving gestational diabetes. 

Having Covid complicated things. Because of that, there were no visitors allowed (besides Brandon) during her long night/day of labor and delivery, or in her recovery room. Janika and Brandon said that the medical staff were pretty chill in the labor room and they didn't have to wear masks in the room (I think they did when the medical staff was in the room), but in the delivery and recovery room they were very strict and the nurses and doctors had to wear full protective gear before coming in to the room and the baby was not even allowed to go to the nursery. So, Janika and Brandon had to start right off the bat taking care of him in their room in the hospital. It has been stressful, but so grateful that he is safely here!!! And he certainly is a cutie!!! 

Funny story -- Janika had a job interview scheduled for Thursday. She had asked if she could do it over zoom since she knew she would be giving birth a few days before. But she didn't know that she would have a c-section and still be in the hospital. She decided to go ahead and keep her appointment and do the interview over zoom from her hospital room. Thankfully she had a nice top she could wear, and chose a place that didn't show any hospital equipment. The interview was going along when she unknowingly lifted her hand up to her face. The interview stopped her and said, "Wait, do that again!" She was confused but lifted up her arm. He saw the hospital wristband and said, "Are you at the hospital?" She admitted that she was. He said, "You totally could have re-scheduled!" Well, two hours later he called her and offered her the job!" 

 

Congratulations to our College Graduates!!

So proud of all of our graduates!! Janika Jenson graduated from Utah State University with her Master of Education in Psychology! I love what Brandon posted on social media:  

"I'm so proud of my wife Janika Jenson for graduating with her Master's degree from USU! Not only did she do an amazing job getting through this program, but she finished it up while dealing with the challenges of pregnancy as well. Now only a few more weeks until she gets a new challenge to master!" 

Jase Jensen and Ellen Jensen graduated from Dixie State University -- Jase with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Ellen with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in organization and applied leadership.

Jared Jensen also graduated with his Associate of General Studies from Dixie State University and is continuing on with his Bachelor's degree in Business Administrations. He didn't "walk" for graduation since he is just continuing on at the same school. 

We were sad that we couldn't go to Logan to attend Janika's graduation, and then Dad got the stomach flu and wasn't able to attend Jase and Ellen's either!! So that was a total bummer! At least we were able to watch Janika's through the live stream and Dad was able to watch Jase and Ellen's through the live stream also. Thank goodness for technology!! 

This first collage of Jase and Ellen and Evan below is of photos that were taken on April 20th by Ellen's sister, Lexie. They turned out SO darling!! The second collage are just some snapshots we took right after the ceremony before heading to Cafe Sabor for lunch! 

This is a bad picture on the right (and he took it before I was smiling), but I thought it was hilarious that I happened to be wearing the exact same outfit at Jase's high school graduation back in 2016 that I was at his college graduation six years later in 2022. I guess I don't update my wardrobe very often, ha ha! 

Jase's good friend, Ky Phillips, also graduated from Dixie State University with a degree in Communication Studies. He and Jase have shared graduations from elementary school, high school, and now college!

Janika Graduation from Snow

Janika graduated from Snow with her AS today!!  Rick and I left yesterday afternoon to head for Ephraim.  We had downloaded some books on CD, but ended up just talking the entire three hours of the drive. We stopped for dinner at Sizzler and checked in to the Willow Creek Inn. We went to Janika's apartment after her date to visit and pick up the graduation tickets.

Saturday morning we at breakfast at the hotel and then went to the Activity Center for the graduation. It seemed so tiny compared to Burns Arena where Jase's high school graduation was held. It is obvious that they have a great music program there -- the orchestra and choir were awesome!  The speakers were very good too. We especially enjoyed the talk from Spencer J. Cox  and his wife Abby Palmer Cox. He is Utah's Lieutenant Governor and a graduate from Snow. He and his wife spoke together and Rick even pulled out the program and took notes.

There ceremony was a little long -- we were there an hour early and then the program lasted another two to two and a half hours. But it was nice. Snow offered a luncheon afterwards for everyone, so that is nice, considering there were over 1000 graduates and their families! We took pictures afterwards and then Rick and I went to the Manti Temple to do a session while Janika finished cleaning her apartment. She also needed to finish packing and have time to say all of her goodbyes! Rick and I haven't done a session in the Manti Temple since we were dating (Manti Mini Vac with the Canyon Club!)  I had forgotten how huge it is! It is such a beautiful temple -- one of my very favorites!

Then we took Janika and her roommate, Meagan, out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant and headed back home! It was a great way to spend my birthday (I can't believe I am 49!) 

I graduated from Snow 29 years ago, in 1988 -- during the 100 year centennial celebration!  Here is a picture of me at my graduation next to Janika's picture!

Temple

Endowed with power from on high!

Janika Graduation from Tuacahn

Janika graduated from Tuacahn High School tonight!! 

Janika's Seminary Graduation

Tonight was Janika's Seminary Graduation at our Stake Center.  Since she is the Seminary President for Tuacahn High School, she was responsible with helping to plan the graduation.  She opted to sing rather than speak at it and so she and Kiara Christensen sang a duet, "He Is The One," and it was beautiful!  We are proud of Janika for the service she has given in Seminary this year!

Titan Award's Night for Janika

I went to Janika's Awards Night tonight at the Cox Auditorium at Dixie University.  Meanwhile Rick went to Jase's Athletic awards night and Ceramic Showcase.  Jase lettered in Track and Cross County and also in Academics.  He also got a ceramics awards for his vase and a check (for a whopping $3.00).  Janika got an award for being Sterling Scholar, for earning 17 credits of concurrent enrollment from DSU (the highest out of anyone from her school), and she was honored for the college scholarships she has received.