Jaiden and Janelle Singing "Some Things Are Meant to Be"

Click HERE to listen to Jaiden and Janelle singing "Some Things Are Meant to Be," from Little Women, the Broadway Musical. 

Wendy J · Some Things Are Meant to Be from Little Women

Turkey Trot -- Josh

                     Josh won third place at the Turkey Trot at this school today. Way to go, Josh! 

Covid at the Jensen Household

Well, it happened. Our entire family got hit with the infamous Covid-19! Well, except for Janelle that is. She lived with a houseful of infected family members for three weeks and somehow managed to not get it! She had already been tested last month when she had to quarantine after being exposed at school and now she was tested three more times -- once each week. She never had any symptoms and all four tests were negative. So I don't know if she already had Covid in the past without knowing it or if she just had a great immune system this fall and didn't catch it in spite of sharing a bed with her sister -- who did test positive. So the one person who didn't get it had to quarantine the longest! 

Rick, Jared, and I all had it at around the same time. When Rick tested positive we went ahead and tested the whole family. Jared, me, Josh, and Jenna all tested positive. Josh was just coming down with symptoms. Jenna was asymptomatic and never did get any symptoms. Jaiden and Janelle both tested negative. We had Jaiden and Janelle move in with Jase and Ellen so that they wouldn't have to quarantine as long. If they were around all of us they would have had to quarantine during our whole isolation and then continue another 14 days after that. Jase and Ellen had already recovered from Covid and so we weren't worried about the girls possibly exposing them. 

The girls were distraught because they were going to have to miss their upcoming performance in the Musical Revue since they were in quarantine. They had been rehearsing everyday after school for two hours for the past two months. They were heart-broken about missing this opportunity at the last minute, and so was I! We prayed and even shed some tears. The director felt really bad too and even arranged for their duet and trio to be professionally recorded so that they could play the video in the show. They did the audio and were going to video them later on and add it to the audio. This didn't end up happening, but at least we got to keep the audio, and it turned out beautiful! I cried when I heard it!  

The girls ended up at Jase and Ellen's for almost a week. I really missed them! Unfortunately having them move out didn't help. Jaiden started developing symptoms three days after they moved out. I scheduled an appointment for them both to be tested two days later. Two days after their test they received their results. Jaiden tested positive. Janelle tested negative. So they moved back home. Jaiden had already been in quarantine several days before she started coming down symptoms and so none of her friends or classmates had to quarantine -- another tender mercy. Unfortunately everyone sitting around Jenna in all of her classes had to quarantine and several from Josh's school did too. 

Sunday night, on November 8, Utah Governor Herbert made an emergency announcement. He instilled a mask mandate and restricted social gatherings. He also shut down all extra-curricular activities for the next two weeks. I am sure many people were upset about this, but the girls and I were thrilled! This meant that the Musical Revue would not go on this week after all. It would have to be postponed, which meant the girls would be out of quarantine and back in the show! Hooray! I felt bad for those people who had events that couldn't be postponed though. One of Jared's friends was getting married during this two weeks and so this would impact both of her wedding receptions. It reminded me of when we had to cancel Jase and Ellen's second reception due to the Governor's mandates last Spring. 

Other than the scheduling issues, Covid impacted us in a myriad of ways. Rick definitely had it the worst -- and I had it the second worst, though not nearly as bad as Rick. So apparently age really does make a difference! Rick had dizziness, terrible fatigue, and a hacking dry cough that three weeks later still hasn't gone away. He slept on and off all of the time. It was a little disconcerting! He missed over two weeks of work. His first couple days back were pretty rough and he was still really tired, but has felt much better since then, although still lacking energy. Now if he can just get rid of that cough! 

I had pretty much all of the symptoms, just not all at the same time. I experienced dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, fever, chills, and body aches for 1-2 days. After that I felt quite a bit better, but was still tired and had a runny nose instead of the symptoms I had before. A couple of days later I lost my smell but within a day or two it was completely back! I then had a dry cough for a few days. Jared felt sick for two or three days and then was left with no taste or smell. Josh and Jaiden were similar. They still don't have their taste or smell back.

In many ways it is a relief to have had Covid and recovered. Now maybe I won't worry quite as much every time I have a sore throat or the sniffles. I won't constantly be worrying about potentially exposing someone else and I can stop mentally measuring the distance between myself and others. I will be able to relax and enjoy our upcoming trip without worrying that I might get sick right before -- or during -- the trip. I won't have to worry about getting exposed and having to quarantine (or having my kids quarantine) out of the blue right during an important event. So, while it was definitely a pain getting sick, at least we know that it is behind us!    

   

Happy Birthday, Rick!

 Today was Rick's birthday! Click HERE to see my Facebook post with pictures and comments! 

Today is Rick Jensen's birthday!! I would like to #givethanks for this amazing man in my life! Rick is a hard worker and does so much to take care of me and our big family. Not only does he work hard outside the home, he also works diligently in the home - often cooking dinner, doing laundry, grocery shopping and more. He does the craziest things and makes life full of fun and laughter -- whether it be singing and dancing in the kitchen, dressing up for Mother's Day Tea, or teaching thoughtful lessons for FHE and Father's Day Flee. He is always helping those of us who are technologically illiterate and is constantly fixing things around the house. I LOVE that Rick is such a wonderful father to all of our children. We love you, Rick! HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!!

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Rick never seems to get into birthdays much, but I had each of the kids write a fun memory of their dad along with something that they admire about him. I compiled everything they wrote into an email which I sent to Rick last night so that he would get it first thing this morning. I think he liked it.

Rick did a DI run this morning with everything we had collected from cleaning the shed. He also went grocery shopping at Costco to this morning and got so much food that we could barely fit it all in our fridge/freezer! We then spent the day cleaning up and putting up Christmas decorations. The weather was absolutely beautiful and Rick and I enjoyed a nice walk in the sunshine! The girls and I made a yummy dinner of Chinese food for Rick's birthday and celebrated with some chocolate pie. Tonight we watched a couple of Hallmark-type Christmas movies while untangling Christmas lights and folding laundry. So nothing too exciting, but at least we got to be together!

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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!!!! 

 

New Mama

Janelle is taking a Child Development class and it was time for the dreaded baby simulator assignment. Basically the student brings home a baby in a car seat along with a change of clothes, diaper, bottle and so forth. There is actually a computer inside this baby doll and so it cries and will only stop if the care giver figures out what she needs and does it (feeding, burping, diaper change, rocking). The baby makes sucking noises when feeding, burps, cries...the whole gamut. The first evening after rehearsal Janelle gave the baby to Jenna to babysit (along with a whole list of instructions) since she had to work. Jenna did a great job, but it was a little stressful because sometimes the baby would cry and cry (loudly) and we were all trying to help out and figure out what needed to be done. It seriously took up the whole evening. We were all tired and wanted to go to bed but it was like, "Ummm, what do we do with this crying baby?" Plus we didn't want Janelle to get a poor grade in the report that would automatically be sent to the teacher. Rick finally took over until Janelle got home from work. He wasn't feeling well and had been sleeping on and off all day anyway.

That night the baby only woke up a couple of times in the night but Janelle was so stressed over when she would start crying that she didn't sleep much. The next day the family was in quarantine and so we all got to experience the joy of a screaming baby throughout the day on top of the quarantine and Covid-stress. That night the baby woke up 12 times during the night (according to Janelle). Okay, that is a little much. Thankfully Janelle slept in a room by herself so as to not wake up the entire household. The frequent cries during the night was the only negative comment I wrote in my evaluation. I mean 12 times? Seriously? Overall I think it was a successful experiment. Janelle took her responsibility very seriously. The whole family was relieved when the two days/nights were over and the baby computer was "shut off." Wow, things have sure changed from when Janika had a similar class and brought home a sack of flour for a baby. I guess that was intermediate school though, not high school. Rick said that whenever this assignment rolls around at his school he tells his seminary students to send their baby to "the nursery" and lets the secretary take care of them all! 

Jenna is Obsessed With Percy Jackson!!

During the past several weeks Jenna has really gotten into reading -- finally!! She absolutely fell in love with the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. She devoured all five books and then started on the second series and raced her way through all of those as well. There were 2 or 3 times that I texted the Williams to ask if Jenna was there, and if so could they please send her home for dinner, only to realize that she had been in her room reading the entire time! She would wake up early on weekends and go outside on our porch chair and read. She would go to bed an hour early in order to read! It has been fun to see her get so excited about reading! When she finished the second series of Percy Jackson she was SO sad because now she didn't have anything to read! We tried to get her into a different series of books but she just didn't get into it like she did these ones. Then she started reading another series by the same author called Magnus Chase and seems to be enjoying those. Hopefully she can find another series to enjoy once she finishes this one!