I've Been Challenged...

My friend, Lisa, challenged me. The rules are; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions, 3 random surprising facts about yourself.

JOYS
1. My husband. He is unbelievably amazing! I couldn't ask for a better partner, provider, protector, encourager, best friend, father, companion, someone to make me smile. He is a man of integrity, compassion, someone I respect more than anyone. He would do anything for me and I am the luckiest woman in the world that he is mine!
2. My beautiful daughters, Joleigh and Noelle. I dreamed of being a mother since I was a little girl and my dreams pale in comparison. I never imagined I could love so much and already feel the love in return. Everyday brings new joy to my life! Their laughs, smiles, voices, singing, dancing, playing together is indescribable. They truly are the light of my world!
3. This new baby. I have gone so back and forth about having a 3rd child. There are have been so many questions in my head and so many emotions. That is why this baby is such a gift from God and an answer to our prayer. I can't wait to see how our new addition will blend in and be a part of the is wonderful family of mine!

FEARS
1. Losing someone that I love, especially my husband and children. I think that is self-explanatory. It would be a nightmare.
2. Someone in my family not knowing what they mean to me. It is so easy to take each other for granted and assume that the feelings we have for one another is evident. I love my family more than I can express and them not knowing how completely would devastate me.
3. Disappointing someone that I care about. I am definitely a people pleaser, and I have a hard time when someone is upset with me. I try really hard to be genuine and honest, but when I let someone down, it is really hard on me.

GOALS
1. To be organized in my house. At work I have always been extremely organized, but at home I struggle so badly. I want to have a place for everything but get so lazy. I really want to have a clean and organized house.
2. To go back to teaching. I'm not sure when, but eventually. I keep having kids, so that date gets further and further away, but eventually. I will have to take some classes to get certified again. I can't wait to be back in the classroom.
3. To make some extra money. I want to help Joe out anyway I can. I have been working part time from home, very part-time, but also think that I will start subbing in the fall.

OBSESSIONS
1. The internet. I stay home a lot so I depend on the internet to be my outlet to the outside world. This is why I have a facebook and myspace account, now this blog. I am constantly checking these, as well as my email and checking in to see what everyone else is up to. It is a bad habit, but I can't help it.
2. Hollywood gossip. I love magazines, television shows and the internet. I can't explain it, it's just curiosity. It's definitely not a lifestyle I desire, I just find it so interesting, I guess.
3. Taking pictures of my girls. I literally have taken thousands of pictures. There have been weeks at a time that I have taken a picture every single day of the girls and all their randomness. I don't know what I will do with all of them, but it is nice to know that their entire childhood will be captured in photographs. Someday they will thank me, even though now Joleigh runs away from me and the camera.

FACTS
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I want to go to Africa on a missions trip and work with orphaned children. I would choose this trip above any vacation. I feel this on my heart and pray one day it will become reality.
2. I am ambidextrous. I can write with both hands, but prefer my left, but I do everything else right-handed. Lisa and I have this in common.
3. I have deformed ear lobes. One is connected, the other is not. It is definitely an insecurity of mine, Just kidding, but kind of weird.

This was fun and insightful. I don't know who reads this, but if you do you should try it!

Tot Town

So we did something fun today. I took the girls to Mountain Ridge Baptist Church this morning for their Tot Town. It's great!!! They are open almost every Monday from 9:30-11:30 for toddler and preschool age kids. It's free for the summer and they have $10 fee per family for the year starting in the fall. They have a bounce house, bikes, scooters (Joleigh's favorite), slides, puzzles, play kitchens, tables, baby dolls (Noelle's favorite), etc. As you can see from the pictures the girls had so much fun. We met our friends there and also saw some other friends that we knew there. Who knows maybe next week we will see you!

Swaziland

So, I just have share how sweet and adorable my little Joleigh is. She loves church, especially since she turned 3 and gets to go to Good Times Kitchen, the preschool program at CCV. She is like a little sponge, soaking up all she can. She has memorized every Bible verse that has been sent home, since she turned two. It has completely blown Joe and I away, I think she knows more than me. I love that she can tell me about her Bible stories and teaches us all her new songs. But I think the thing that has made my heart smile the most is her recent interest in the church's summer mission project. After service we picked Joleigh up and asked her if she wanted to get the M&M container, thinking we would have to tell her what the project was all about. Instead, we go pick out a purple container (her favorite color) and she begins to tells us that Miss Shauna told her that she has to "give monies to help the kids in Swaziland. That they needed help." Being a proud parent and extremely emotional pregnant lady, I got tears in my eyes that at such a young age she had the understanding of helping people. Well, after we got home and ate dinner, Joleigh had her M&m treat and shared with her sister. So we talked about ways she can earn quarters to fill the container. By the way, I can't tell you how many times I heard her saw "M&M container." She was so excited and I am so excited for her! She is already half way there, just by being a good girl, making good choices and asking her uncles for some money. Smart girl! I love her!

Our Family 4th of July

We have had the best time the past few days. Joe has been working a lot lately, so he was very intentional about taking a long 4-day holiday weekend. So on the actual 4th we went to Joe's dad house for a family BBQ and pool party. Tom, Paula, Josh, Justin, Jeri and Shelby were all there to celebrate. We had a delicious lunch, then took Joleigh swimming, while Noelle took a nap. I usually dread holidays, I know that sounds bad, but they are always jam-packed with places to go, but we didn't have anywhere else to be. After naps and hanging out, we went home and had our first family movie night. We popped popcorn, got in our comfy clothes (we made the house so cold we could wear our sweatshirts), and watched the Bee Movie. It was so much fun and one of the best 4th of Julys I can remember. Even though it was the first one in along time we didn't see fireworks. Oh well maybe next year.

We are going to be the Jensen 5

I am still in a state of disbelief. We just found out Saturday that we are going to have baby #3. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Joe and I are really excited!!! We have gone back and forth about having another baby for the past year, and just when I stop thinking about it, I'm pregnant. God is good! So he or she (we don't care as long as they're healthy) will be here some time in February, maybe even close to my 30th birthday. It's crazy, but I couldn't be happier. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted!

The girls just make me smile

Joe has been gone the past couple days, so it has been just me and the girls. This time is bittersweet. I love to have them all to myself, but then again I have them all by myself. We really appreciate Daddy we he gets home. But while he was gone, I was really able to have fun and play with Joleigh and Noelle. Joleigh is a crack up. She is becoming quite the performer, constantly singing and dancing, she calls them her concerts. She is so imaginative and has the best memory and EVERY song she has ever heard. I love to catch her when she thinks no one is looking, she is just off in her own little world, with her hand-picked costumes. I love how after every outfit change she goes and looks in the mirror. She is my daughter.
Then there is our little Noelle, who is not so little anymore. She is growing up before my eyes. She just started talking all of the sudden and she doesn't seem to ever stop. Even if we can't understand what she is saying, she just keeps on going. My favorite thing she started saying is, "I funny." it is as clear as day and she laughs every time she says it. She is also mommy's girl, or as she likes to say, "Monny." I have to remind myself that I have to enjoy the time I have with her as she is chasing me down and whining to hold her. I can't believe I even think about complaining that she just wants to be close to me. Now I feel bad. She loves to play dress up like her big sister. She is obsessed with shoes and must have them on at all times. She's my daughter too! I learned I need to remember every minute of everyday to smile and realize how blessed I am to have these wonderful little blessings in my life!

It's been awhile...almost a year

So it has been awhile since I last posted, almost a year. But I think that it is time to get back in the habit. I love reading my friend's pages and I think it is a great way to journal all the things our family is doing and keep all our loved ones, near and far, updated on our life. So hopefully this will be the start of something fun!