Betsy Lou.

My dear friend, Betsy, came to visit us the first week of May. Betsy and I met at BYU-Idaho back when in 2001 (I think?) we were roommates and have been friends ever since. She is such a good, righteous woman. You always feel good being around Betsy. She is laid-back and easy going and I love that about her.

I loved that she was able to come and see my life here in Virginia...and of course visit D.C.

Bets was a history major at BYU-Idaho so I think she enjoyed D.C.

We saw as a much as we could during that week. We went to the National Museum of American History. We hadn't been there in a while with the kids and Brielle kept telling me to take a picture of her in front of 'everything'...in her own words..."so I won't forget it mom!"

She loved the First Ladies' gown exhibit and wanted to take a picture in front of every single one of them!:)

I have been dying to see Julia Child's kitchen for a while now...I appreciated the simplicity of her kitchen and yet she created such amazing meals in that kitchen!

On our way out, Betsy spotted C-3PO from Star Wars. My kids have never watched Star Wars but somehow know the names to a lot of the characters! They both starred at C-3PO for a while!

After the museum, we headed to the Jefferson Memorial. Braden was obviously very excited!:)

We admired the Jefferson Memorial and then headed to the FDR Memorial.

As always,the FDR is so beautiful and the weather could NOT have been any more perfect that whole week for Bets! We had sunny skies and perfect temperatures that whole week.

Like Betsy said, you just can't do Washington D.C justice with pictures...you can try, but everything is much more magnificent, much more grand when you see it with your own human eyes.

By then, the kiddos were tired and ready to call it a day...so we all started acting silly!:)

Somehow, through all the silliness, we made it back to the car and made our way back home!

The next day, we picked up the kiddos from preschool and headed for another day of adventure in D.C. We went to the Archives Building and saw some very cool documents and things I hadn't seen before. It was all so interesting.

...and I think this was the first time my kids had ever see a telephone, like one with a cord and handset. It made me realize that they are growing up in a totally different era.

We had lunch at the Sculpture Garden.

Then headed to the National Museum of Natural Science.

Again, Brielle was so funny, and wanted me to take a picture of EVERYTHING...so that she won't forget it! and while Brielle was LOVING the precious jewel exhibit, Braden was hating being in the room with "all these girl stuff!"...until I told him that those precious jewels come from volcanoes...and then he thought it was so cool!

When he saw that meteor he HAD to take a picture with it! I love his little fake smile!:)

On our way home, we made a quick stop in front of the White House. It was too bad that they had the closer view of the White House blocked off, so we couldn't get any closer! I think they always block it when they have stuff going on on the White House lawn...anyway, at least we got somewhat close to it!

On Friday, we had tickets to go on a tour of the Capitol Building. I was so excited because this was also my first time inside the Capitol. We decided to take the metro this time, instead of driving.

The Capitol Building was just breath-taking.

They show you a 13-minute video of the history and what happens inside this place before the actual tour. It made me feel so patriotic and proud of living in this country. They go through some of the important laws and bills that they have been able to pass throughout history...big things like the right for women to vote, etc. It was just very inspiring.

You can get the idea through pictures, but it is much more magnificent in person.

The Rotunda is simply exquisite. I think you'd have to spend a long time in there, to really appreciate the beauty of it all.

The Statuary Hall was beautiful too.

I had to make my kiddos stand in front of the Idaho statue, since they are both Idahoans.

Bets headed out early on Monday, to the Holocaust Museum and we met up with her later that day, to finish walking through the rest of the monuments.

I totally let my kids break the rules while we were are the WWII Memorial! I know...what a terrible thing to do...you're not supposed to wade...but what the heck! I guess, technically they didn't 'walk' on it...they just splashed and stuck their feet in the water...It was hot and they have so much fun doing splashing the water and sticking their little feet in it.

They find so much joy in the simple things...

They were in heaven! Look at that face!:)

I couldn't believe when Tuesday came around and it was time to take Betsy Lou to the airport! I had so much fun spending time with such a wonderful friend.

Thanks for coming to spend time with me Bets! I loved every second!:)

Seldom Occurence.

We enjoyed a whole week of Scott over spring break...the kids couldn't get enough of him. One day, Scott was watching a show on the computer and the kids came and crawled next to him and all of a sudden, they were both out!

This NEVER happens!

I had to record it!

Scott was loving life.

Unforgettable Camping Trip.

Scott had spring break the last week of April and we decided to go camping. Despite the fact that I'm 6 months pregnant, we had so much fun! It was quite the adventure and the place (Sky Meadows State Park) where we went was just breath-taking and only about an hour drive from where we live.

We were adventurous and decided to do a 'primitive' campsite...meaning we had to walk about 1.5 miles to our site, no running water, and a portable potty that was a walk away. It didn't sound too bad of a hike, and it wasn't terrible, but when you consider that I'm pregnant and couldn't carry as much, it was quite the hike getting all of our camping gear and food to the campsite!

My amazing husband was a trooper...he carried most of our stuff.

It was so worth the hike! We set our tent right by this beautiful creek.

We didn't get all of our stuff in one trip, so Scott ran back to get the rest of what we needed, while I started to make dinner for our two very hungry children.

These two LOVED roasting their own hot dogs...the only thing is that they couldn't hold still, so it was taking forever to roast...

...but they finally roasted...

...and what is camping without smores!

We enjoyed some time around the fire, until Brielle and Braden literally put themselves to bed. They were ready as soon as it got dark. They went into the tent, found their pajamas themselves, got dressed and by the time I had cleaned up dinner they were both saying 'goodnight'.

They got into their sleeping bags, played with the flashlight for a little while and then they wanted Scott to tell them stories.

They both LOVE and can't get enough of Scott's childhood stories. So, Scott told a few of his hilarious childhood stories until Brielle said,

"okay I think I'm done with the stories, good night."

It didn't take long and they were both asleep.

Scott and I talked for a little while and we both fell asleep. About an hour into slumber, I woke up to the WORST charlie horse EVER!!!!!! It was so painful and so incredibly and plainly AWFUL!!!!! Scott rubbed my foot and leg for a little bit, until it somewhat subsided and then went back to sleep. I thought I would be fine, but any time I would try to lay on my side, it would just come back!

To make matters worse, I had the WORST heartburn! I was so incredibly uncomfortable. I didn't want to wake Scott up again and I knew I couldn't walk to the car because it was a mile and a half away and it was pitch black outside! I sat in the tent, literally, just sat there rubbing my foot so the charlie horse wouldn't come back for almost 3 hours!!!!!!

After sitting there, I tried laying down again and I somewhat was able to fall back asleep...half and hour of being half asleep, half awake...(get ready, because this might be TMI for some of you!!!) :)....

I woke up with the runs!!!!!!! I literally felt so sick to my stomach, I thought I was going to pass out!

I won't go into any more details...suffice it to say that, it was one of the most horrible nights EVER!!!!

Finally around 3:30am, I was able to fall asleep.

Until about 7am, when my alarm clock (named Braden) woke up! It doesn't matter where we are he ALWAYS wakes up at 7 o'clock!

Surprisingly, the next morning I felt fine. I actually didn't feel too tired, considering the night I had experienced.

We had breakfast, hanged around the campsite for a little bit and then started packing and taking the tent down.

Braden absolutely LOVES being Scott's little helper. He is so willing to help with all the 'boy stuff'. He LOVES being a boy with his daddy...and Scott is so good with him and teaches him and encourages him. I love watching them.

The kiddos had so much fun exploring and being outside.

It was a little bit of a chilly morning, so we sat around the fire for a little bit to warm up, until we were ready to hike back to our car to drop our gear off.

Scott is so ingenious and managed to pack almost everything on his back. Whatever he couldn't get I carried and the kids tried to help but they are so little, still...anyway, I kept telling Scott that I would definitely pick him to be lost in a remote island. He is such a good boy scout!!!

This park is just one of the most beautiful places.

There was beauty every where you turned.

I love watching the interaction that Brielle and Braden have. It's one of my favorite things to witness...I love witnessing that pure love that they have for each other...Brielle is such a nurturer...Braden was having a hard time on the way back, he was having a hard time keeping up...Brielle ran over to him and said,

"Braden, hold my hand. We can walk together."

...and they walked together until they caught up to Scott and I.

It brought so much joy to my heart...the kind of joy that brings tears to ones eyes...

We finally got all of our stuff in the car and made potty stops in a "real" bathroom, with potable water!!!! Oh! the things we sometimes take for granted in this life....

We weren't quite ready to go home yet though, so we picked a trail and started hiking again!

It couldn't have been a more beautiful and perfect day for hiking! The trail that we took was an overlook trail, it was very steep to begin with and my belly was not very happy with me...it was hard as a rock! So, I took it easy, walking very slowly...

We found this bench and sat there for a while, we had some snacks and enjoyed the beautiful view.

...and of course there's always drama with my Bri bri...:) It was a pretty steep trail, I have to say and she REFUSED to keep going...but we kept encouraging her and she made it to to the top...it was all down hill after that. I think the whole trail was about 2 miles.

We saw so many butterflies and moths...and Brielle got happy again!

Remember last year, around this time, she found a caterpillar and it made a cocoon that turned into a moth? Well...she found another one this year, we brought it home and it made a cocoon...so now we are just waiting to release the moth!

We saw so many varieties of butterflies...

My sweet hubby and I!

I love this man! I love the time we get to spend together, creating memories for our family. I love the things he teaches our kids about the outdoors and I love watching Brielle and Braden absorb it all!

Being silly...they were meditating!:)

...and then there was a tick crawling on Scott. DISGUSTING! I tell Scott, that I thoroughly enjoy camping and being outside, except for the fact that I have to worry about these little nasty creatures crawling on us!

We checked for ticks as soon as we got home!

I will definitely treasure these special moments we were able to have as a family!

We had such an unforgettable time!:) I will forever remember the time when I went camping when I was 6 months pregnant!:)

Easter 2011.

We had a very enjoyable Easter here at the Jensen's. Last Friday, my neighbor told us about an Easter Egg Hunt that was going on at one of the local high schools around here. We didn't hesitate to go since we had missed our Church's because the kids had preschool.

So we joined our nice neighbor and her cute little boys to the Easter egg hunt.

The kiddos were patiently waiting for them to scatter the eggs on the football field.

Braden was NOT in the mood for me to take his picture.

The time finally came for their age group to go hunt for eggs. It was a little bit of a mad house...but they both managed to collect a few...plenty, if you ask me.

Brielle and Braden were both thrilled to have met the Easter Bunny.

The Easter egg hunt was sponsored by Chick-Fil-A, so they had their cow mascot there. Brielle was desperate to meet the "girl" cow. Braden was mesmerized by it too, I think.

Easter Morning came around, and the Easter Bunny had made its way to our house. I do enjoy these little traditions, even though I often feel like they detract from the real meaning of things...but the magic of being a child only lasts for so long...and I thoroughly enjoy making things magical for Brielle and Braden.

They were both thrilled...Scott and I were awakened by Brielle's excited little voice, saying,

"The Easter Bunny came to our house!"

They got a few fun things in their baskets and then we talked about Easter and what it means. We all watched a little children's video that we have about Christ's resurrection and it set the tone for the rest of the day.

Our Church service was so special and I think we all felt the true Spirit of what Easter means to us.

For me, it kind of started the Sunday before. Scott was on call that Sunday. The kids and I managed to get out the door almost to make it on time for sacrament meeting. We frantically made it when they were singing the opening hymn. As we were sitting down, I looked up to the stand and to my surprise I saw a face that I didn't expect to see...

I saw the one and only, Elder Uchtdorf.

An automatic feeling of peace overwhelmed me. It wasn't something I had planned to feel...as a matter of fact, I felt kind of frazzled walking in with my two kids, running a little bit late, trying to find a place to sit and wishing my husband was with us instead of the hospital doing rounds. When I saw Elder Uchtdorf, I felt peace, it was a feeling that caught me by surprise.

I couldn't wait to hear him speak. It was such a great surprise.

I was uplifted beyond words.

He analyzed D&C 12:8

"And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."

I can't even put into words how much that scripture touched me.

As he spoke, I couldn't hold back tears. I was humbled. Things like these are not coincidences. Heavenly Father knows us individually. It sounds so cliche. But sometimes truth sounds cliche and we neglect to deeply reflect on what they really mean. I needed that visit. I felt so loved by Heavenly Father. I felt like he is so aware of me.

As Easter approached I felt so grateful. That visit, by an apostle, somehow, made me realize how individual Christ's atonement really is. Yes, he died for you and me, but it is so much more individual and personal than that. Although, His sacrifice is general, I'm coming to slightly understand that it is also very specific.

It was nice to spend time together on Easter Sunday. I'm SO glad Scott wasn't on call last Sunday! (He was incredibly sad that he missed Elder Uchtdorf's visit the Sunday before!)

We talked to Brielle and Braden about the special people in our lives that we will be able to see again some day because of our Savior's sacrifice.

After our yummy Easter dinner (Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast recipe)!!! So delicious!, We had some good family fun dying eggs.

The kids loved every second...

it was the first time we had done it together as a family.

This little girl cracks me up!

Showing off our little creations...

Scottie was getting a little carried away...:)

We have so many hard boiled eggs in our fridge now...

...we have been eating egg salad sandwiches around here!:)

Wishing you a...