Jase, Ellen, and Evan

Friday, October 15: After doing baptisms at the Draper Temple we went to Chick-Fil-A with the Williams and then Josh, Jenna, Rella, and I went to go visit Jase and Evan and see their new place. We weren't able to see Ellen because she was still in the Murray hospital. She and Jase had gone to the Murray hospital last Monday (at 31 weeks) because she was having contractions. The next morning she was dilated to a six and they had given her an epidural, expecting imminent delivery. We were all very nervous about this and praying hard for her. Then a few hours the contractions slowed way down and then dilation did not continue, and so they ended up taking out the epidural and eventually moved her out of labor and delivery. So she was still in the hospital, but it was Jase's day off and so he was taking care of Evan. 

Jase gave us a tour of their new place in Herriman. Below is a picture of the house (they are in the basement apartment). It definitely has some quirks (notice the picture of the outlet -- they are all like that, ha ha), but is spacious and roomy -- 2000 square feet! They seem to like the area and ward, and the  landlords who own the house and live upstairs have a couple of young boys and so they get along well with them and have been able to trade babysitting. Jase and Ellen have enjoyed living there and are exciting to finish furnishing it when they can. They have a lot on their plate right now! 

Draper Temple

Last night Jenna stayed at Rella's house and Josh stayed with me at Janika's house. Jenna and Rella watched a movie there and Josh and I watched Thor. I tried to anyway, I kept falling asleep, even though it was only 9:30! In the morning Josh and I picked up Jenna and Rella and then headed to the Draper Temple where we were meeting the Williams. Josh baptized Jenna for her five names and then he and Bradley baptized each other and then Bradley baptized his sisters and cousin. We had brought family names (Dutch) and so they were all difficult to pronounce! I was a sweet experience feeling the peaceful spirit that was there and witnessing Josh baptizing Jenna! 

Cornbellys!!!

Since Rick was gone interpreting on a cruise over Fall Break, I decided to bring the kids on a little outing up North. Jaiden was still in school at SUU and Jared was recovering from his ACL reconstructive surgery that he had on Tuesday, so it was just me and Josh and Jenna. The night before we left I went to visit Jared and bring him some groceries, and then went to watch Josh's late soccer game. Josh and I stopped at the mailbox to get the mail after the game around 11:00 p.m. and then my car wouldn't start! After trying and trying we finally left the car there and walked home and went to bed. 

The next morning I walked over to the car and prayed that it would start. It hesitated and then thankfully it started!  I gave a prayer of thanks and then drove straight to Dixie Battery to get it checked out and sure enough it needed a new battery. I had to wait at the battery place for about an hour. It was a nuisance, but I was really glad that it went out BEFORE our trip and not during it! It took us a while to leave since we had to pack and clean the house and eat lunch, but we finally made it out the door. 

We drove four hours to Janika and Brandon's place (they were in Hawaii) and Alicia and her kids met us there and then we rode with them to Cornbellys in Lehi. Alicia's friend is a realtor and had a booth there and so we were able to get in for half price (around $13.00) each and so that was nice! Derek and Danielle met us there with their kids as well and we got a couple of pictures with them. Then the Williams, who had already spent four hours there earlier in the day, came back to meet up with us as well. Cornbellys was WAY bigger than I was expecting! There were tons of people there! It was fun though -- games, corn maze, haunted houses, animals, a giant slide, hay ride, and a really cool fireworks show! There were lots more activities that cost money, but we kept to the free stuff since we had already paid a bit to get in! 

After we left Alicia dropped off me and Josh at Janika and Brandon's and Jenna went with them to sleep over at their house. Josh and I stayed up to watch the new Thor movie. At least I tried to watch it -- I kept falling asleep though! The next morning I picked up Jenna and Rella and we headed to the Draper temple to do baptisms! 

Jenna's Birthday Party

Tonight was Jenna's 14th birthday party! We went to the dollar store for balloons, which she decorated our stair railing with, and then had a couple of friends come and help her make the cakes. 

She told the girls to come in their PJ's. Every single one of them came except for Brinkley, who was out of town. Jenna got a nail gel set for her birthday with one of those UV lights and so the girls painted their nails while watching Mamma Mia (and singing at the top of their lungs for all of the songs). Then they had cake and ice-cream. A funny story about the cake. Jenna wanted to make round cakes and decorate them. She had a regular cake and a gluten free cake. Her friend Hannah decorated the regular cake and it turned out cute. Grace decorated the gluten free cake and it turned out, well -- creative. Gluten free items can be difficult to work with, ha ha, and it sunk in the middle. She filled it with frosting and tried to paint a dinosaur. It looked quite interesting, but it actually turned out to be quite delicious! 

After cake and ice-cream Jenna opened her presents. She got so many nice ones! She got so many nice presents! Her friends know her well! Clarissa filled a box filled with orange items (orange juice, gum in orange wrappers, mascara in an orange container and so on) and the box was decorated with pictures of her and Jenna and friends through the years. It was so cute and creative and must have taken her hours to put together! Caprina gave her this huge pot filled with various succulents plants (Jenna loves plants -- especially succulents!) She got jewelry and money and gift cards and a cute hat and candy and treats and bath and body type stuff and all sorts of fun things. Jenna was really cute and went and gave every friend a huge thank you hug after opening their gift. After gifts the girls played murder in the dark and then played outside until their parents came to get them. It was a fun night! 

Back row: Julia, Clarissa Williams, Bria Thompson, Anna Ence, Lindsey Gardner, Sammy Smith, Caroline Williams. Front row: Grace Freeman, Hannah Hoss, Caprina Cowing, Joclynn Araico, Alexa Alejus-Ruiz, Maggie Wimmer, Elyse Bayly, and Jenna Jensen being held up in front. 

Josh Rappelling

Josh went on a campout with the Young Men this weekend. He didn't know that there was going to be rappelling involved! He typically doesn't get into things like that but said that it wasn't too bad and that he had a good time! 

Happy Birthday, Jenna!!

Happy 14th Birthday, Jenna! Click HERE to see my Facebook Post for her.  Life has been so busy lately! We haven't really had time to shop for her birthday and Jenna picked out some things on Amazon, but just ordered them a couple of days ago and so I was worried that she wouldn't have anything to open on her birthday! (Aside for this darling yellow dress that she wore on her birthday!) 

Anyway, her friends really came through for her and she felt very loved! Grace came and heart-attacked our front door last night so that Jenna would see it this morning. The Young Women's presidency dropped off a birthday sign and treat, and when I picked Jenna up from play practice she came walking out with her arms filled to the brim with baskets and gifts bags filled with all sorts of candy, stuffed animals, Dr. Pepper, gluten free treats and more! I couldn't believe it! Jenna said that Hannah completely decorated her locker inside and out and filled it with funny photos of Jenna and her friends. Jenna certainly has awesome friends!! Jenna said that everyone was wishing her Happy Birthday all day long! 

I brought Jenna straight from play rehearsal to dance and then picked her up afterwards and took her out to dinner at Costa Vida! Then we went to the Dollar Store to pick up some balloons to make a birthday garland for her birthday party this weekend and she got some picture frames for pictures of her friends to decorate her room. And who should she run into at the dollar store, but one of her best friends -- Grace!! They had a great time laughing and talking while Grace's mom and I visited. All in all it was a great day and Jenna felt very happy and loved!! 

Josh's Soccer Game

 Jase, Ellen, and Evan came to cheer Josh on at his soccer game tonight!!