Steve and Miss

Noah Kevin Jensen

2011-07-10T16:07:00.000-07:00

I know it has been over a year since I blogged. To be honest, I have been keeping separate journals and haven't had time to blog. But I thought I would copy over the entry I did in my pregnancy journal about Noah's arrival.

Since I never went into labor with Ava I wasn’t quite sure what to expect or how I would know I was in labor. I thought I was having contractions a few weeks before here and there, but when I went to the doctor and she said that basically I was making no progress in the labor department, I thought I was wrong. On Friday evening, we headed up the canyon for a ward activity. On the way up, I felt like I was having some contractions and they were slightly uncomfortable. I didn’t think much of it though because that Tuesday before, the doctor said I was not close and with Ava I was late so I jus t figured I would have to be induced again. Friday night, I still felt the pains, but again I wasn’t sure if I was actually in labor. We had plans to go to Seven Peaks, but also needed to do some things to get ready for the baby. Before leaving that morning, I decided to pack a few things for the hospital. WE also planned on going to Babies R Us and setting up the nursery as much as we could with no furniture. We were waiting for the furniture to come before we bought everything we needed so we had somewhere to put it. A week before Mr. Noah was due we figured we couldn’t wait any longer and needed to get ready. We left for the day to go to Seven Peaks waterpark and Babies R Us. I called my mom and Brenda on the way down to ask about labor and how to know if I was in labor. We timed the contractions on the way down and they were about 8 minutes apart. We hurried through Babies R Us and bought everything we thought we needed. Since they were about 5 minutes apart, we called our friends JP And Amber to let them know we couldn’t go to Seven Peaks. We headed home and kept timing them. Some were less than 5 minutes apart. I still wanted to hang the curtains and such, but Steve said we better get right to the hospital. So Brenda came and got Ava and off we went to the hospital. We arrived at 12:45 pm. When they checked me in I was at a 4. I felt some pretty good contractions before I got my epidural. I quickly got to a 7 and then a 9. The doctor broke my water eventually. I had to push for about 25 minutes. When Noah was born, he was a little blue and I teared up because I was scared. I guess the cord was wrapped around his neck a little bit. They had to give him a little oxygen, but the nurse and doctor kept telling me he was perfect. I held him for a while and he just laid there on me. WE couldn’t tell who he looked like, but he had lots of dark dark hair!! My recovery was much better this time because I took some pain medicine and my nurses were better. Also, they only brought Noah to me at night when he was crying. He only ate about every 4 hours or more from the time he was born so I was able to get very good rest the time I was in the hospital. I also stayed two nights since Steve had Ava all by himself. The stay was very relaxing and I had a chance to spend time with my new baby. He was so cuddly and I would just sit and hold him. Ava loved coming to the hospital and holding baby Noah. She would wake up in the morning and ask about baby Noah. Steve was great through all of it and kept the house in order, set up stuff for the baby, and took care of Ava! I was glad that it was just the four of us the first few days.

He arrived at 5:33 pm. 7 pounds 6 ounces and 18.5 inches long. And we were all in love with him!

Animal Sounds and some Walking

2010-05-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Still no bridge..i have some pics of her doing it, but i cant get it on video! This journaling is for me, but enjoy if you wish.
Ava can do several animal sounds. Cow, Pig, Fish, Elephant, Sheep, and most recently a Bear!
She can clap her hands and knows to clap when singing "If you're happy and you know it," before you say "clap your hands." She knows head, shoulders, knees, and toes gestures. (Well the head, knees and toes part)
She knows the hand signals for "Popcorn Popping," "5 Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree," and we are working on "The Wise Man built His House upon the Rock." She loves her books and to turn the pages. She has an animal book and can recognize the sheep and cow and say the right sound!
When you say bye, bye she heads to the door. When you say, "should we brush your pretty hair," she tries to brush her hair with her hand. When you say, "brush your teeth," she sticks her tongue out. She knows where her tongue, toes, and knees are. She can shake her head no and we are working on the yes! I have to say, I'm sure eventually I will get sick of the fact that she can say no, but for no I like it. I'll say, "do you want a strawberry," and she can tell me if she doesn't. Kind of nice...
I will get some video of her doing the songs and her body parts! It's cute (if you are the parents I guess)
Ava is a little particular; and the food she doesn't like, she puts in her cup holder in her high chair.
Okay, here is a video of her doing some of her little tricks! We'll get the rest another time :)

Florida

2010-04-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Since this would be our last Spring Break with Steve as a student we decided to take advantage of it. We haven't been able to the past two years because I was working and you can't exactly take off during tax season. This year however since I am only working part-time and I worked full-time for a few of the spring break days while Steve watched Ava we decided to head to Florida. We met my parents, 2 sisters, and sis-in-law (and brother came for a few days). What a blast. I could move there tomorrow if I could. It is exactly the kind of lifestyle I love. Warm weaterh, beach, great shopping, and all kinds of restaurants and stuff to do. We went to the beach on Friday and Saturday. We headed to Miami on Sunday afternoon and went to some of the most famous shops. We saw more 150,000 dollar cars than we ever thought could be in one spot. Seeing a 7 series Beamer was nothing. Bentley's were the norm...Anyways, Ava of course loved every minute of it. She loved the beach and being on the go all the time. Everytime we took her out of the car she would get so excited and look around and see where she was. She slept in until 8 am every morning which was so nice for us! All in all it was a great getaway. I only have pics from one day on the beach..lame I know. She also got to eat all sorts of fine food. I love going away because I feel like Ava gets to experience so much and try so many different foods than when we are at home. One thing Steve and I have in common is a love for travel and going to new places! It was exactly what we all needed after Steve watching Ava everyday for a few days and being a bit bored in Lubbock, Texas and me being so busy with taxes and such.

Cruisin

2010-04-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Ava is obsessed with going outside and walking. She pushes her walker everywhere and now she pushes her little buggy everywhere. This little video depicts what goes on at our house A LOT!! She's a lot of fun and so fast. I have decided she isn't going to walk by herself until she can walk this fast. We went to the Science Spectrum today and she took probably 15 to 20 steps by herself (holding onto 2 balls so she forgot my hands weren't in hers) but of course, she wouldnt do it when we got home! I'm getting tired of her shoes and pants getting so dirty :)

Happy Birthday Ava!

2010-04-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa)

I'll add pictures in the next post, but they are not on my computer and I want to update this blog. Tax season is over and so life will get much calmer and I will have time to do things like Blog. I missed Ava so much when I would have to go to the office. I feel like she is my sidekick and we have a lot of fun together. She is a great baby with so much personality. She loves to be outside. We have lots of pictures of her sitting by the door just waiting to go outside. I want to document a few things that she does that are cute and that I may forget.

1. She can make a cow, fish, and elephant sound

2. When you said "high" or "arms up" she raises her arms up

3. When I sing the song we sing in our music class at the end, she starts to wave (she knows its the goodbye song)

4. She can locate the duck in the tub when we ask "where is the duck?"

5. She does a downward dog great. If you say bridge or downward dog, then she does this adorable little downward dog.

6. She gets so excited when we go anywhere. She is an on the go baby and loves to be out and about.

7. She still chews/sucks on her blanket when I put her in her crib.

8. When I say legs up when I change her diaper she lifts up her legs

9. She loves the bath and even dunks her head. Loves swimming as well and holds her breath under water.

10. Grabs our hands and wants to walk us everywhere. She will walk us up and down the street. She also pushes her walker down the street.

11. Loves the park and cries when we have to leave no matter how long we stay. She likes the bouncy things. Used to love the swing, but now feels confined. Likes the slide okay. Really she just loves to crawl or walk us around everywhere

12. Is a mamma's girl for sure.

13. Says mamma, dadda, babba and most recenlty bubbles when we were reading her a bubbles book.

14. Food - cheese, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt,

fruit (favorite are oranges, cantaloupe (sp?), strawberries) Doesn't love meat, but did enjoy some steak and fish

15. Loves the beach and sand. She didn't care one bit that sand was all in her face and and in her mouth. She loves every minute of Florida. She is a great traveler and loves vacation. She did some fine dining in Florida and ate Kobe Steak, Mahi Mahi, Bass, and much more!

16. She can put the circles in the shape sorter.

This is kind of a long, probably boring post, but I wanted to jot a few things down for records, etc. I will be better about blogging in case any of you care, but since its all about Ava, you may not!

Other items of interest:

Steve graduates in less than 1 month!! Great job babes!

We move in a month!

Steve has been reading lots about investing and such. He can't wait to get all that going. I take care of the day to day finances, but he definitely has a huge interest in our overall financial well-being, which I am very grateful for.

I'm going ot keep working for the same firm from home when we move assuming everything works out well and such.

Eventually, I think I'll start my own business doing bookkeeping and some tax work and general business consuling, etc. But that won't be for a while. It's just a long -term plan of mine I decided most recently.

I think that sums it up..Life is good, we are very happy, and feel very blessed and are excited for the next chapter of our lives.

Welcome 2010!

2010-03-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) I have lots and lots to blog about. Since I don't update this very often, I am actually starting two books for Ava. I am going to write lots of little pieces of advice to her. They will just be all sorts of random things. The other thing I'm going to do since I don't scrapbook as soon as I take the picture is journal to the pictures as soon as it happens and then when I finally do scrapbook the pictures, I'll have the story all written out. I know lots of people blog as a journal, but it still seems to take longer than I have. It is busy season in my profession, which means I have been busy busy. Ava is growing and learning everyday. She reminds me so much of myself. She never sits still and is always trying new things and adventures. She loves the park and climbing. Oh climbing..all day she would climb. She climbs on top of her toys, the dishwasher, stairs, shelves, anything she can. I wonder if she will try and climb out of her crib early. Well I'll post some pics of her most recent little dishwasher incident. She loves to help me empty the dishwasher and we were all done when I got a text. I went to check something in the other room and when I came back she was in the dishwasher. Then she proceeded to dive off. I was curious how she was going to do it..but she did it. Then got right back on! Anyways, I'm going to be a more faithful blogger because there are so many stories to tell. I feel like everyday I could tell some story, hence the journal as I go book.

What A Pathetic Blog....

2009-12-12T05:47:00.001-08:00

once she can do something, then its one-handed....

It snowed...and yes I made her go outside so I could get a pic eventhough
she had a little bit of a runny nose..she is sitting on a trash bag so she didnt
get wet!!

I think she is going to love the gift thing on Christmas

how precious is this????

she has many many suitors already...so take a number

boys...but you have to pass me and DAD first!!!

(post by Marissa) Oh my, what has this blog become. Basically a brief update every 3 months with a few random pics thrown in. Well, I will do my best.

Ava is 8 months now. She is now sleeping great. She sleeps from 7 pm to about 6:15 am. Yes, she is a very early riser and when she gets up, she wants to get going. None of this lounging and relaxing. (She inherited that for me, once I'm up..I'm up..) We are wrapped around her little finger. When Steve gets home it is Steve and I just playing and laughing with her. I always think how lucky she is compared to so many babies because of how much love and care she gets from both parents! We love her to death and she is becoming more and more fun everyday. Steve is enamored with her. I think I love him more because of how he treats Ava. Ava is one lucky little girl!! Just the other day, he stopped at Target to get something for me, but they didn't have it, but what did he come home with....a toy for Ava. Steve said, "I couldn't resist!" Too cute..

Ava is getting to the dangerous age where she is standing up everywhere and as soon as she can do something she likes to do it one-handed. So now she likes to stand up and just hold on with one hand. Not safe. She gets into everything and is more interested in some non-toy item we put on the floor than her toys. She follows me around and gets into the cubbards and chases the vacuum. I need to get a video of her playing with the vacuum! She loves it.

She has lots of toys now, but still prefers closets, cubbards, and drawers...

We babysat our friends little girl for a few days while she finished up her clinicals for her Masters in Occupational Therapy. Her and Ava are only 3 months apart so it was neat to see what Ava will be doing next, etc. Lets just say I think twins would be rough! Ava followed Laila everywhere and wanted whatever Laila had!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house. We had 12 adults and 2 kiddos. We had a little turkey mishap in the am (the roasting pan had a hole in it). Luckily, Walmart is open on Thanksgiving so Steve ran and got a new one while I cleaned the oven and then we transferred the Turkey. Steve carved the turkey perfectly. He watched about 3 Youtube videos to learn the best way!

I told you it was a masterpiece :)

We also had our annual Christmas party at our house! We went back to the 80's and had a great time...We had a blast...games, gifts, embarrassing moments, etc.

I have been pretty busy with work since we are doing projections for our clients. Steve has been busy busy with finals. As I'm typing this, he is at the library studying...yes on a Saturday, sad I know. This is our last Christmas where he will be taking finals. However, with school ending our month long Christmas breaks will also come to an end, but at least he won't be working for nothing anymore..

After graduation, we are moving to Utah. Steve is going to work for Siegfried and Jensen in SLC. He went and visited the firm about 2 months ago and loved it. When we first met he said he wanted to do Tort law, so here he is doing it. He will be on the Litigation side so he will get to go to court and stuff. Think Clueless...my daddy is a litigator, those are the scariest kind of lawyers. However, we all know Steve is the farthest thing from scary.

So, one of the reasons I don't blog is blogger is not user friendly...ahh my pics won't move to the text so I'm sorry you have a scrambled up mess of a post!! Enjoy :))

Boys and Girls!

2009-10-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I think I may have blogged about this before, but I will blog about it again. Last time I probably had some facts, this time it is going to be personal observation and experience. Steve and I now teach the 9 year olds in church. They are all great kids. We really lucked out! However, boys and girls are different. They learn different and different things keep their attention. They like different examples, etc. I want my kids to go to a school where both boys and girls attend, but the classes are separated. They can have recess and lunch together, etc; but I want class time to be sep. It wouldn't be that different because all the girls sit on one side and the boys on the other anyways. Anyway, there are more girls attending college and getting higher education. However, we expect the man to be the main breadwinner. I really think if we separated girls and boys in the classroom we would see more boys excelling. I feel bad for the boys because the current education system is failing them and they are going to continue to lag behind girls unless something changes. I hope more schools catch onto the separated classrooms. There have been numerous studies that show it works!

2009-10-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is the first 4 generation picture on my mom's side. I am the first girl to have a baby in my family and so it is kind of neat that we got to take one!

(post by Marissa) I have noticed my blog has kind of been dying. I will try to do better, but no guarantees since all the pics are already on Facebook and Blogger takes longer to do. I will however try and give some updates and some stories. I am also going to return to my old days of blogging with opinions and recent finds, etc.

So as for a book recommendation, I recommend Outliers. We read it for Book Club and everyone seemed to like it. It is eye opening. We are now reading "The Last Lecture." I wanted to read this a while ago but never did.

I am working from home still and I love it. It is a great balance. I have a good little setup with two monitors and all.

Ava is getting around now! She can roll anywhere and scoots all around. She does the military crawl. Her growth has slowed a lot I think since she is so active. She never stops moving, whether its jumping, rolling, or scooting. She is curious and grabs anything in her sight.

She has digressed in the sleeping department. She has started waking up in the middle of hte night again...ahhhhhh.

We have given her rice cereal and she likes it. Next is oatmeal and sweet potatoes.

We recently returned from two trips. One to Dallas to see BYU play OU and one to Utah for Dallin and Shannon's wedding. Ava is quite the traveler. The wedding was beautiful and it was great to see everyone and play!

I promise to do less jounaling and more opinions. It takes forever to upload pics on blogger and so long to put them in the right spot and since you all have facebook just imagine the correct picture where I am talking!!

I love love love Crewcuts. They have the cutest clothes for kids. When Ava is bigger that is where she is shopping!!! I hope we are kind of hte same size and share the same style so my warddrobe can double (i know that is years away)....

Well, I never did profess to be an English major and have an organized blog as this post is about as scattered as it can get...which will prob drive Steve nuts.

Lovin; It!

2009-08-31T13:13:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) How Cute is she!! Ava is 5 months now and I'm loving loving loving this stage! She is on a really good schedule with two good naps a day. I'm loving that she is on a schedule. I think from the days she was born, I was trying to get a schedule. I was probably rushing it so now I know for the next baby that a schedule takes a little time. She is awake more so we can go and do things in the daytime and not mess her sleeping schedule up! She still LOVES the water and we take he swimming as much as we can. We dunk her a ton and she never cries. I think we have a little swimmer on our hands. I love working part-time from home. I haven't had a ton of work yet, but I'm sure I'll get a little busier. It gives me something to do, gives us extra cash, and keeps my brain strong. GO Accounting! My work has been so good to me and I really feel blessed. She is rolling everywhere and talks/yells lots too. She loves to bounce and play in her exersaucer. She is a great baby and doesn't really cry much and when she does it's kind of a weak cry..she needs to work on her cry! Well, I'm getting used to being a mom (after 5 months)

and Ava and I are becoming little buddies.

More than I can Update

2009-07-29T07:04:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) Well, there is more to update than I can possible do so I will do a very quick rundown of everything.

We were in Austin for 6 weeks and had a great time. My mom and sister came to visit one weekend and we went to San Antonio. Ava did great and it was her first little weekend getaway!

After Austin, we headed back to Lubbock for a few days to unpack, visit the dr. for a round of shots, get mail and repack for vacation.

Ava flew in style on her first plane ride. She flew first class! She did really good, except for being a little squirmy. We arrived in Salt Lake City and went and visited Steve's gparents and aunt/uncle/cousin. We then headed to Steve's brother's house. We went to Seven Peaks with everyone. Seven Peaks was Ava's 3rd waterpark. She loves the water and takes great naps outdoors.

We then headed up to Wyoming to visit Steve's parents. We had a great time with them. We took Ava on her first 4-wheeler ride. She went to Bear Lake and had family pictures. I made her a tutu and all the girls had their pics taken in them. Steve and I tried to tube the creek on his parents property but it was so cold for me it took my breath away and I was on the back of this raft thing and Steve was practically sitting on top of me so I got out!

Next stop was New Jersey. However, we went to the airport only to find our plane cancelled so we had to go the next day. Again, Ava rode in style and rode home from the airport in a Limo. Yes, she is living it up! She met all of her cousins on my side.

While in New Jersey, we went on the boardwalk, went to the beach (twice..she's a beach bum and took great naps to the sound of the ocean), went to Atlantic City (grandpa babysat) , saw a Broadway Play with the girls (Steve babysat), had a massage had Red Door Spa with my mom (thanks Steve and Danielle for babysitting), went to the movies (Ava slept the whole time), went on the boat and used my new PINK waterski, and sat by the pool. We had a great time and it was sad to leave.

After boarding the plane back to Lubbock, we had to de-plane and I had to rebook my flight...flying is so annoying, but I have to do it to vacation so I guess it's part of life...better than driving for days to get somewhere I guess (although Steve would nearly disagree).

Ava did great during all this time that we were dragging her everywhere. She has slept in so many different beds, rooms, and places. At the age of 4 months she has been to:

Lubbock, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Wyoming, New Jersey! She has been to the lake, beach, 3 waterparks, the city, 4 wheeling, flew first class, and been in 3 limos!

We had a wonderful summer and are now back to Lubbock. We are trying to return to a normal life and get back in a routine. We went swimming last night and Tech's new pool. It was so nice and Ava loved the lazy river! She loves taking naps to the sound of water and the cool evening breeze..she is her mother's daughter!

We'll have her swimming in no time.

Ava is now 4 months..some milestones

She smiles a lot more now

Sleeps until about 4:30 or 5:30, eats then sleeps until about 8:30

Still just drinks milk

Rolls from stomach to back

Rolled once from back to stomach

holds her head up great

Can do a full circle on her tummy

Had her first cold

Babbles lots..she is qute the talker (again mother's daughter!)

2 Months

2009-05-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

Well, here is an update. I actually have a ton to blog about. I'll start with Ava is 2 months. She is smiling and doing a lot more tricks. She is trying to rollover and she makes all sorts of noises. She is getting to be a lot of fun.

We drove down to Houston with my parents and got nearly settled in. I was working out and Steve comes and says, "The Supreme Court wants me to clerk for them." So here we are now in Austin. We left the next morning and stayed in a hotel for a few days while Steve looked for a place for us to live for 6 weeks, which is not an easy task! So yes, we lived in a hotel for a few days:)

We are enjoying Austin and trying to do as much as possible. We went to Georgetown for our 5 year anniversary and had dinner. It was a cute little town. I was able to go to my CPA innauguration as well over Memorial Day. It was really neat to do that. It was the last thing. I passed the CPA November 2007, but am just now getting my certificate...better late than never.

There are tons of walking paths here so I am in heaven. I am going on lots of walks and Steve is joining me in the evenings. WE went on a cool trail this past Sunday. We are going to San Antonio next weekend with my mom, sister, and sis in law. It should be fun. Ava is doing really good with all of this traveling.

We also took Ava swimming! She loves the water. She is such a cutie! Sorry, this post is so hodge podge. I don't have the internet at our place so I have to go to the clubhouse to do this. IT is kind of annoying. Here are some pics ...

One Month and More

2009-05-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Miss AVA is one month old. I should have taken a pic when she was born with this bunny, but we didn't so..we'll just have to chart it from month to month. She is doing great. We have had lots of visitors and outings. I am working on getting a really good routine. Steve is the best dad ever and I am working on being the best mom. Steve is teaching me how to swaddle and burp her. He is very protective and much more of a worrier. So anyone that thought I was a worrier, well I worry about finances and planning. Steve worries about the baby (a lot). Its a pain to load pics on blogger and everyone has facebook so see the pics there. I'm just giving commentary here! Maybe Steve will upload some pics :)

Happy April 15th

2009-04-17T19:16:00.001-07:00

yes, her mom is an accountant. She is a future accountant!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-17T16:36:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter! We hope you everyone had a great Easter. We didn't do that much. Ava had a dress, but we didn't go to church so here is a pic of her in her first Easter Dress. My mom bought her a whole bunch of Disney movies to start her collection!

Ava's First Photoshoot

2009-03-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

Ava with Dad and Babba...

2009-03-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

Ava Part II

2009-03-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Ava's Arrival...Finally!

2009-03-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

Ava May Jensen came into the world at 2:27 p.m. The induction process was started at 7:15 a.m. and it was smooth sailing the entire time. She weighed 7 lbs. 8 ounces.

Steve and Hair

2009-03-14T12:45:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) Everyone knows a girl can be particular with her hair. However, what about a guy? Steve has always had these little routines/rituals with his hair. For example, when we were dating we went to the temple and did baptisms. Well, he kept insisting that he didn't want to get baptized, but would perform the baptisms. I was like thats fine, not knowing what the big deal was....well what was the big deal...HIS HAIR!! Yes, he would not have a hat to put on immediately after his hair got wet, so he feared it would get puffy. Then if it is windy, he gets annoyed because it is going to mess up his hair. He is also bedhead patrol. If you have ever had bedhead, Steve has probably noticed. This morning, he was going to get a haircut and I was going to run to the grocery store. Me wanting to get the day going wanted to hurry and get to the store and have him get to his haircut. After the haircut, we were going to the gym. (I already knew going to the gym first then the store and haircut was out of the question because his hair would be sweaty and no way would he do that). So back to the point, what does he do before he goes to get a haircut, TAKES A SHOWER. I said Steve, "we are going to the gym after. Why don't you just go and get your hair cut then take a shower after the gym..it's kind of a waste of time." He replies, "No, I have bedhead..that is embarrasing." And so I said, "Well I'll wet it." "No, you can tell when you do that." "Okay, I'll wash it." "No, I have to take a shower."

So yes he took a shower. Yes, we went to the gym and yes he is back in the shower right now (singing too by the way). So during all of this I said, "You are the only person I know that is so particular about how their hair is when you get a hair cut." To which he replied, "No, there are a million people that are the same as me." So are there? Is this normal? Do all guys take showers before haircuts? Are all guys particular with their hair? Or is this reserved especially for Steve?

Happy Birthday Steve!

2009-03-14T06:17:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE! Steve turned 27 a few weeks ago! We had some friends over for a little birthday celebration! He didn't know I was having anyone over so he was in his comfy Sunday clothes! But he still looks hot! I would say he's doing pretty good for a 27 year old...married (to an amazing wife :)), kid on the way who already has him wrapped around her finger, 2L in law school, homeowner, and the nicest/sweetest guy you could ask for! I have never heard anyone and I mean anyone who doesnt say they love Steve!!

Crafting

2009-03-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I did quite a few crafts growing up because my mom is kind of a crafty person. She likes to knit and scrapbook and make things, etc. We always had a craft room with tons of stuff in it and my girlfriends and I would go in there and just make all sorts of stuff. Anyways, since finding out I am having a girl, my crafting desire has peaked. I have decided I need a sewing machine that can monogram! Anyways, guess what Steve and I are making this weekend....TUTUS!!! For her newborn pics, I want her in a tutu so we (he doesn't know it yet, but he'll help me because he's a good dad) are going to make it this weekend. Then I'm going to make her a little onesie with an A on it!! Very excited :) I would say what other things I have been working on, but I am giving them as gifts and don't want to spoil the surprise! anyways...im loving that I'm having a girl and that I have a reason to do crafts again!!
After we do her picture frames, we'll post those!

Update and Nursery

2009-03-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Brief update: I am now only 10 days away from my due date..wow that sounds really close! I am counting in days now. I still feel good and haven't really slowed down much, although Steve would like me to. Unfortunately, between work and the other projects I want to do, I don't have much time to relax. Work is really really busy right now. Tax season is in full swing and I can't seem to finish tax returns faster than I get them. So I guess you could say our firm is not struggling due to the downturn in the economy, which is good. Although, I haven't done a return with capital gains really, which is kind of depressing. Anyways, Steve is busier than me so the combination of the two means that we see eachother only a few hours a day somedays. We have the nursery nearly done. We are waiting on a few things such as letters for her room, 3 big picture frames, and a picture of Christ. I want to change the nobs on the dresser to crystal ones, but I'll prob do that later! I had a baby shower here in Lubbock and I just realized I never posted that. I;ll post that this weekend. Ava has gotten so much stuff. Friends and family have spoiled her and I! She has so many cute outfits. I'll go in her closet, (not going to admit how much) and pick out little outfits for her. I prob have her first month of outfits picked out. Pathetic, I know!!

She also has a blessing dress now thanks to my sis in law Becky!! She saw this beautiful dress and called me to ask me if I had a blessing dress..I had my eye on one, but I didn't have one yet...so she got me the one we are going to bless her in!! It's beautiful. I will post pictures with Ava in it! I am very excited for her to wear it:)

Also, Steve turned 27 this month. He is still hot as ever, has a full head of hair, and wears the same pant size as when I married him..so it looks like my future with a hot husband forever is bright :) I have a few pics from a little birthday get together here that I will also post!

Below are some pics of the nursery so far. I maybe shouldn't post them until it is finished, but what is a post without pics..(oh wait I have plenty of those:))

I made that picture frame (with steve's help of course)...

I bought the flowers, but Steve arranged them on top!!! I def can't do anything by myself (see Steve's post about me..so TRUE!)

We couldnt find tassels we liked..so we made them..

we stitched two different trims together! And yes, Steve helped me design and sew them...he helps with everything! thanks babe

Ava's Bag is Packed!

2009-02-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) Ava's bag is packed and ready to go. I will have mine packed by tonight. They will probably both just sit in the close for another 3 weeks, but I guess I can cross it off the list at least :)

Firsts...

2009-02-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

A Tag of Firsts
1. Who was your FIRST prom date?..................Adam Williamson
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?...............I was never really in love before Steve
3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink?................................none
4. What was your FIRST job?...................................Accounting TA...I am trying to convince the YW in my ward to do accounting..I hope I can successfully convince 1...
5. What was your FIRST car?..................................Cutless (sp?)
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?...................Brittney..VT companion
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?...........Steve
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?..................Mrs. Friend
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?........NJ when I was a few months old
10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?........Lyndsey A. and yes, she got me the gift certif to the spa
11. Where was your FIRST sleep over?......??? Lots of sleepovers at my house. I didn't like sleeping at other people's house though.
12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?...........Steve..
13. Whose wedding were you in for the FIRST time?..............My sister Janelle's
14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?..........Looked at my planner with Steve to plan days to go visit family
15. FIRST tattoo?......................................................none
16. First piercing?...................................................... My ears when I was 13
17. First foreign country you've been to?.....................Canada
18. FIRST movie you remember seeing?.................? No clue...
19. When was your FIRST detention?.............................never had one. I was the teacher's favorite always!
20. What was the first state you lived in?........................Nevada

I heart promo codes!

2009-02-25T06:07:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) I love these little things!! Usually short and sweet and with big rewards!

Review

2009-02-20T06:43:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) About a month ago, I received in the mail a Gift Certificate to the Woodhouse Day Spa from a friend who I grew up with in New Jersey and could not attend the baby shower. She figured the baby was already spoiled and mom-to-be needed a little pampering!! This gift came on the perfect day because we were approaching a January 31st deadline and work was getting a little out of hand. So the thought of a nice relaxing day at the spa made my WEEK! Thank you again Lyndsey! Previous to the Woodhouse Spa opening last Septemeber, Lubbock was lacking a good spa. There wasn't really a really nice place for my mom and I to go and pedicures and stuff. Anyways, I got a Pedicure and a Manicure on Saturday and it was EXCELLENT! When you arrive, you go to a quiet room and have a drink and some chocolate covered strawberries and relax before your treatment. During the manicure, you still sit in the pedicure type chair and they soak your feet and give you a peppermint neck wrap. It is an actual spa. The prices are also very reasonable and comparable to just a really good manicure and pedicure. I had a gift certificate so of course that made it all the nicer!

I couldn't get the full deep foot massage, but guess what I have booked for my mom and I in March......A DAY AT THE SPA. I told the lady who did my pedicure that next time she can put me in labor!! My mom says it's really good to be relaxed before labor. And I think we'll both need it. So I'm getting a pedicure, manicure, facial, and massage. I want to be glowing in the hospital and I don't know why but I'm very weird about having nice feet when I'm in labor. And she is getting a Massage and Pedicure. My mom thinks 1 hr massages are a tease so while I'm getting a massage and facial she'll be getting a massage the whole time. Also, my mom already gets her nails done so she is getting a 1.5 Pedicure while I do my mani/pedi. She is probably going to need a nap afterwards...She is always dead after the spa!

So to any man that got this far...CONGRATULATIONS. Now, here is a secret. A manicure and pedicure does more for a woman than a whole shopping spree. (Think Legally Blonde) I feel like a new woman after I have my nails and toes all pretty. So a great gift is a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure. She will come home in a great mood because unlike shopping she didn't look fat in any outfit, she didn't spend more than intended, she didn't have to fight the crowds or traffic, and she didn't overeat (like at a lunch date)! I love them!! Little Ava and I will go get them together when she gets a little bigger like my mom and I do! It is great girl bonding time. No distractions, purely relaxing, and everyone feels great afterwards. After a mani/pedi all of a sudden your old clothes look good again and your ring is a little shinier and your toes look great in those Espadrilles!

Marissa

2009-02-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

I felt a sudden urge to write random stuff about Marissa, or in other words, reasons why I digg her:

1. She eats cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She loves it. It's not even the good sugary kind. She likes the Kashi stuff, too, that tastes like dog food.

2. She changes the trash cans before they even get half full.

3. She has lots of energy. Even now, she's almost 9 months pregnant and she goes all day doing who knows what.

4. She always, always thinks of me first.

5. She likes the same candy as me: Starbursts, Sour Patch Kids, Gummi Bears (the hard kind), and Milk Duds. She always keeps at least one of these in stock.

6. She whips up great meals in minutes. (Thank you Kraft magazine)

7. She doesn't "sugar-coat" anything. This sometimes causes problems.

8. For being as intense as she is, I've never met anyone so peaceful when she's relaxing.

9. She is 100% honest. I never have to worry about her lying to me. It wouldn't even cross her mind to tell a fib.

10. Any letter or card I write her, she keeps.

11. She works hard, then plays hard.

12. She's willing to do anything as long as it means being with me. She hates doing anything without me. She even put on some waders and went fly fishing with me a couple times.

13. She talks a lot, and even when I zone out, she keeps talking. Sometimes I'll just be watching her think and wait for the flood of words to unleash. I think it's hilarious.

14. She talks/brags about me to everyone. Yes, she's my personal cheerleader. I put on an act like I don't like it, but really I do.

15. She cleaned my car in our driveway while 35 weeks pregnant.

16. Going on walks makes her day...her week. It doesn't take much to keep her happy.

17. She always looks "put together." She loves to get dressed up, even if it's just to go to the grocery store. She always waits for me to get home (which is late sometimes) to change from her work clothes into her pajamas.

18. She keeps a clean house.

19. Her closet is color coordinated.

20. She never holds a grudge with me or anyone else.

21. She's super smart. She loves doing mind teasers and puzzles. She was the president of her math club. She always makes it known that "the cool people were in the math club." Whatever you say Missy:)

22. Her pajama bottoms/pants are always a little crooked. So is her right nostril. I don't know if the two are correlated.

23. She loves babies, which is good since we're going to own one in a month.

24. She can spend all day in the water. She loves the ocean, lake, or pool. She gets mad at me when I pee in the pool.

25. She calls me 20-40 times a day. If I don't pick up, instead of leaving a message or assuming I"ll see her missed call, she keeps calling. Every time I see 6 missed calls within 3 minutes, I think someone's dead or she won the lottery. Neither has happened yet.

26. She's always moving my stuff to the most inconspicuous places.

Work Baby Shower!

2009-02-15T07:06:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) My work threw me a surprise shower last week! They said that we were having a meeting and so I went in the conference room and everything was PINK! We had great food...Linda makes the best Sugar Cookies I have ever had! Ava was spoiled again and got a lot of great things. Almost all of the women are moms so everthing was mom tested and approved :) She got some fancy soaps that say "Nudie Cutie." Thank you everyone! I was of course bright red when I walked in...

Mom

2009-02-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) I'll make this short and sweet. Again, I'm not one to go saying all these amazing things about someone on my blog (I reserve that for cards), but I think my mom deserves a little praise! I am 24 years old, married, living 2,500 miles from my mom and I still get a Valentine's package. She sent two different packages for us on Valentine's Day.

And these packages are not just reserved for Valentine's Day. Every season, I get something in the mail with new placemats, napkin holders, and napkin rings and other festive stuff. Halloween, she got me a Halloween cookie jar....She seems to remember every LITTLE holiday. And I know I'm not the one and only special Bird child that gets these packages. She has to send out and prepare 11 packages for each of us. She manages to do this all while traveling everywhere to visit each of us, fulfill her calling, take care of the house, and do whatever other million projects she is doing. Everytime I call her she is doing some new project whether it's finishing an album for a sibling, planning a family vacation, or doing something for the church. Right now she is teaching a 40 week course on "Coming Closer to Christ," with my dad. She is beyond a perfectionist and so she seems to "go all out" on every project she ever does, including sending little packages to her kids. I could not ask for a better mom and the older I get the more I realize just how unselfish she is. When I was in Young Women's she was the Stake YW president. For the first few years of my girls camp days, we stayed in cabins and had the food prepared for us. Well, I was kind of a picky eater in those days....so she brought me "special" meals for every meal because she knew otherwise I wouldnt eat. I'm still not sure where she got the food or how she did it, but I'm grateful I didn't have to eat that camp food! Her energy never ceases to amaze me. I have a lot of energy and she can still wear me out somehow. Anytime I ever have to prepare a lesson, give a talk, or plan a party I call her for ideas. I have never called her for ideas and not had a million ideas within 10 minutes. Not only that, she'll call me and tell me other ideas after the conversation. She gets more into my talks, parties, etc than even me! Well, before I bore you I'll stop, but she really is amazing. And look how cute she is...11 babies and 60 years old later and she still looks hip! When I was in cheerleading she would come to my competitions in slacks and a fur coat. All the other moms were sporting the Cheer Sweatshirts, but my mom said she wasn't going to wear those. So she wore some fancy sweaters in our cheer colors and she always had to wear a fur coat because she gets cold in 80 degrees. (i inherited that too...). She takes us shopping and lets us put designer jeans on her now! If only she wore jeans 10 years ago, the cheer girls wouldn't always ask where my mom was going! She has a great closet though and always has....

Ava (soon-to-be) Is One Lucky Girl!

2009-02-15T06:00:00.001-08:00

(post by Marissa) I am not usually the type to put up all this great on my blog about Steve. However, he def is going to be one great dad! He has been so involved with everything with Ava to be. He has gone to Babies R Us, Target, and Kid Space more times than he would probably like to admit. He has looked at more shoes, bows, dresses, hats than most men do in a lifetime. I think he could tell you every baby brand I like. I have not purchased one outfit without him seeing it and giving his opinion on it. Usually he then sends me outfits he likes. Well, last night was the topper! He has been saying that he thinks I can make bows. He even went to Michael's with me to look at ribbon and saw a "Bow??" (its something to make bows). I told him I'm not making bows. I would have to get so many kinds of ribbon and I wouldnt be able to do it perfect. Well, this week I changed my mind and decided I could make some bows. I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday to get some essentials. After we went to dinner last night, we were supposed to watch a movie and such. However, if you know me when I have something I want to get done I have to do it immediately. So before we watched any sort of movie, out came the ribbon, glue gun, needle, and thread. And who was helping me and practically showing me how t do it...Steve. He found tutorials online, showed me how he thought I should do it and helped me the whole time. I wish I had a picture. I really cannot imagine any other guy helping his wife make baby bows! He stitched the middle and everything. I was highly impressed and grateful that he is willing to help with whatever.

My first bows are not perfect, but they were kind of trial runs...Eventually I'll get them perfect....

34 Weeks & Bedding

2009-02-08T05:25:00.001-08:00

(post by Marissa) Ava has bedding and I have 6 weeks! Time is winding down. Now that her bedding is here, we will start to do a little decorating....

I am feeling good so far..I am reading a little about the labor and delivery so I'm not clueless. All of her clothes are washed, ironed, and organized in her closet (with those dividers I love). Work is very busy right now so it's hard to find time to do some of the projects I want to do and workout. I go to the gym at least 3 or 4x a week or else I feel so stiff from sitting all day. I have noticed that if I do certain things my lower back will hurt some. I scrubbed the floor on my hands and knees the other day and my back hurt a little afterwards. Other than that, I think I am doing pretty good! Steve has been busy as well because he is working part time for a law firm here. Hopefully that will make the time go by faster for him because instead of counting down weekly or even daily, it's almost an hourly thing for him! Poor Steve, he doesn't have a ton of patience..(I don't either, but we have patience in different ways...). I think it's a Jensen thing. They decide they want/like something and they have to have it immediately. Whereas with me, it takes me a million years to decide on something. However, when it comes to day to day going, I have no patience. Steve often sings, I'm in a hurry to get nowhere, oh I rush and rush until life is no fun.." I seem to somehow make a Friday night date into a rush to leave....Well that had no relevance to the post...

Anyways, I am very pleased with her bedding. I like it because it will be good when she is a baby and a toddler. The other bedding was a little too babyish and not very versatile as far as color goes. With this, I can throw in some green, dif shades of pink, cream, etc. For anyone in Lubbock, we got it from KidSpace. You can pick out whatever fabric you want and stuff. The only bad thing is you don't get to see your creation before it's made. And since it is custom made, there isn't really a return policy..but we're pleased so...

Conversation

2009-02-06T07:29:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) This was mine and Steve's conversation a few nights ago...this is why I love him! He cracks me up and is possibly the most concerned husband I know. Before I get to the conversation, another quick story. I went to get Steve some pizza the other night and thought I would be home before he was. However, he got home and I wasn't home. He calls me, but I'm in a deep conversation with my mom and I know I'll be home in a few minutes so I don't switch over. He calls again, I ignore it again because I know why he is calling. He calls again, again, again, again, leaves a message etc. I get home. He is semi-panicking and gets kind of annoyed. I say, "I knew why you were calling and I was going to be home in like 2 minutes." I guess I better be home when he is or switch over to prevent another panic attack. The same thing happened last night (I was at the store getting an ingredient I didn't have for dinner), but I switched over this time to tell him I'm alive, I'm talking to my mom and I'll be home in a minute. We were in deep conversation again about my vacuum...

Conversation:
Steve: "What if you go into labor in the middle of the night?"
Me: "It will wake me up. You are in labor for a little bit before you actually go to the hospital. But trust me labor will wake me up."
Steve: "No, when you get a contraction, we're going to the hospital."
Me : "No, you have to wait until they are close enough and stuff. That's what the book says."
Steve: "No, the book says better be safe than sorry. Some people have their baby in the car."
Me: "They will send me home if I'm not really in labor."
Steve: "So, I don't want to have the baby in the car or something."
Me: "Steve, that does not happen really with first time moms. I won't wait forever, but I'm not getting sent home like 4 times. They will know our names!"
Steve: "You're being prideful. I read that when you get contractions you have to go to the hospital or call your doctor and it's better to be safe than sorry."

I'll let you know if we get sent home and look like the idiots..

We went on our hospital tour the other day and Steve asked if they tag the baby in the room or if he needed to do what Dwight suggests and mark the baby!

We have these conversations a lot. If I say the slightest thing, Steve says, "Call the doctor." If I called the doctor as much as he thinks I should, they would probably start blocking my calls! He def gets the most concerned husband award!! But I def appreciate his concern! I just hope nothing out of the ordinary happens during delivery or he might need to be hospitalized. Luckily, I have had a smooth sailing pregnancy so he hasn't had much to worry about. He also thinks he needs to check on the baby-to-be ALL NIGHT to make sure she is breathing and such. He is going to be one protective dad..He hardly likes me drive now, I hope I'm not homebound when I have a baby on board :)

All these things make me think he's all the cuter though!

No Pork?

2009-01-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

(post by Steve)
Obama campaigned on his pledge to get rid of all the pork in new legislation. Check out what's in the "stimulus" package:

$1 Billion for Amtrak, the federal railroad that hasn't turned a profit in 40 years.
$2 Billion for child-care subsidies
$50 Million to the National Endowment for the Arts
$400 Million for global warming research
$2.4 Billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects
$650 Million for digitial TV coupons
$30 Billion is for fixing bridges and highways
$40 Billion for broadband and electric grid development, airports, and clean water projects (arguably worthwhile, but maybe not in a stimulus package)
$600 Million to buy federal cars (on top of the $3 Billion it already spends annually on cars)
$7 Billion for modernizing government buildings
$472 Billion in handouts: food stamps, welfare, medicaid, unemployment, etc. (Last time I checked, these don't stimulate the economy: ECONOMICS 101)
$66 Billion of education

Basically, for every $1, $.12 of it goes to actual investments that stimulate the economy. The other $.82 goes to democratic initiatives that they've been trying to push through for the past 40 years. Helping the poor is fine, but don't label it as a "stimulus package."

No pork? Think again. I'm sure once this thing fails, Bush will take the blame.

We have BEDDING & a CHAIR

2009-01-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) The hunt for bedding and a chair are mission complete. We made both decisions on Saturday. On Sunday, Steve said, "This is weird I have nothing to look for on the internet." His days/nights/weekends have been spent looking at baby girl bedding. Now, it's bows..hahaha..! The bedding is being made at a local baby store here and we got the chair from Ashley furniture. When both arrive , I will post some pictures. I washed all of her clothes last night and organized them in her closet and drawers. They are so cute and little. I have these dividers that hang in the closet that say, "newborn," "3-6 mos," "6-12 mos," etc. I love them. I recommend them to anyone having a baby soon. They are hard to find in a store. We got ours on Babies R Us.com. They are very inexpensive, but a great way to stay organized and know what you have.

Still No Bedding....

2009-01-23T19:13:00.000-08:00

(post by MArissa) I think if we got paid for the amount of hours this 120 square foot nursery has consumed us we would be millionaires! We thought we decided on bedding..However, we're back to square one..We can't seem to make a decision when it comes to Miss Ava's room. Steve may just take over and do the whole room. We have spent countless hours looking at BEDDING..poor Steve is probably so sick of it. There is a long story behind the bedding we received and had to return today for a refund (I think I got a fake...). So hopefully tomorrow we can find something and put this madness to an end. So if I have told you my room colors, you should probably ignore it because I don't really know my colors....

Hypocrisy

2009-01-22T18:12:00.001-08:00

(post by Steve)

Hypocrisy on news media is abundant. After stomaching a few CNN videos, the hypocrisy was so thick I felt like I should take a shower to clean it off of me. In the first video, I watched these same class of liberals--disguised as objective news analysts--tar and feather any guest who dare critique Obama in any way. For eight years, these Bush-haters wanted anything but for Bush or "his war" to succeed. (This is normally the part where cowardly journalists plug in a caveat saying they didn't agree with all of Bush's policies in order to gain legitimacy to critique Obama. For whatever reason, anyone critiquing Obama must separate themselves from Bush. I'm not going to do it. I like Bush and agree with many of his policies.) One girl on campus wore a T-shirt with slash across Bush's picture with the words "Bush is not my President" written at the bottom. Just as Bush was her President, Obama is mine. Just as she, through her own judgment, despised Bush, I too can put on my political lenses to scrutinize Obama. In short, rather than acting self-righteously and pretending that the last eight years of constant obstructionism didn't occur, Bush-haters need to man-up and swallow a taste of their own medicine. Speaking of short, liberals' memories must be short because it was only two and a half days ago when they booed President Bush off the inaugural stage, while simultaneously harrying any Obama-critic, calling them anti-American.

With that said, I can certainly acknowledge that Barack Obama is my President. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But, already, he has signed executive orders that further an agenda I happen to disagree with. First, he started the process to close down Gitmo, which is the prison that holds enemy combatants to the United States. Where are you going to put these terrorists, President Obama? If you put them in the states, they gain all the rights that a citizen of the U.S. possesses. Even the terrorists prefer Gitmo over the U.S. The federal government would have to place each one of them in solitary confinement, otherwise these guys would not last a day among the convicts (after second thought, not a bad idea). In Gitmo, they live outdoors, play sports, watch TV, read and pray together, and socialize amongst each other. All of these "luxuries" would be eliminated in solitary confinement in a federal penitentiary. You can't return them to their native countries. Even their own countries don't want them. They are a danger to their own society. So where are these prisoners really going in a year? To some other island, in a similar prison, that requires more U.S. tax dollars, all because Obama needs to appease his democratic cohorts.

In another executive order, Obama removed the bans on U.S. funding to foreign programs that support and perform abortions. This just makes it easier for people to take the lives (kill) fetuses, even after they've began kicking in the womb.

I may disagree with certain policies that Obama implements, but I am not ignorant to the fact that he's my President. I'm no less American because I question his ideology or execution. I would have thought that after eight years of liberals whining about being called unpatriotic (because they ultimately sought out U.S. defeat in Iraq), they would have realized what was coming.

Baby Shower

2009-01-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) Thank you Mindy for telling me why everyting was in html code. Now I can post!!! My mom (and dad) came and visited in November and while she was here we looked at lots of baby stuff! She really wanted me to register. I felt like the baby wasn't going to be here in forever, but she thought I should register. So of course, we did! If you remember our itinerary for Christmas the girls were having lunch on Saturday and the boys were doing taxes. To me this made complete sense because often the girls will go shopping or to the spa and the boys will watch the kiddos and talk business/politics/money, etc (those are the only topics allowed in my house and church).

Friday night my sister in law calls and says, "Hey, what's the plan for tomorrow?" I respond, "Didn't you get the itinerary..the girls are going to lunch." She asks, "Are sister in laws invited?" I say, "Are you kidding..yes ALL girls are going."

Saturday morning, we get up go for a walk on the boardwalk and then I get ready for lunch and Steve gets to play with the guys at home and do tax stuff..so I thought. I had planned on wearing a simple dress, but I didnt want to be too dressed up because I figured my sisters would be wearing jeans (dressy type) with some sweater. However, as we were getting ready everyone was getting more dressed up than expected. So I decided to change to the dress I really wanted to wear, but didnt at first since I didn't want to be too dressed up. I am glad I changed!! We are going to Sugar Hill Inn which is a very cute little restaurant on the water. We arrive and my sister says we are with Danielle. In the corner of my eye, I see a pink cake and think that is kind of weird. Then I walk in and everyone is there eating and such. I finally realize we were there for a baby shower for ME! I was completely surprised and had no idea. Neither did Steve. My mom figured if she told Steve then no way would it be a surprise. He and I are not good at that....The food was excellent and we had the whole place to ourselves. We played some fun games, chatted, ate, etc. Another thing my mom did to throw me off is she gave me a whole bunch of Polo dresses and a diaper bag as part of Christmas. I am usually really good at figuring things out, but I had no idea! My mom, sisters, and sisters in law did a great job. We had really cute lip gloss and chocolate lollipop favors.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the shower..It was great. Steve and I feel blessed to have such great family and friends. Thank you mom for everything! You are the best!

31 Weeks

2009-01-19T18:21:00.001-08:00

(post by MArissa)

31 Weeks..maybe not the best shirt to wear, but whatever. We are in the final stretch. Our furniture has arrived, bedding is in the mail. We just have to do a little decorating and find a CHAIR!

Christmas

2009-01-19T18:10:00.001-08:00

(post by Marissa) This post is kind of having trouble because when I upload pictures instead of viewing hte picture, I just see the html code in the posting. So I will finish this post at a later date. Has this happened to anyone else though. We went to NYC over Christmas and saw Jersey Boys on Broadway. We ate at a great Steakhouse and I think Steve got his share of red meat and lobster for 2009! My whole family was home so it was a little crazy at times, but always fun. We went for walks on the boardwalk and went to Atlantic City. We ate some NJ pizza, but Steve still prefers Papa Johns somehow. My mom got the baby a bunch of little Polo outfits and I also got a diaper bag. Steve is very grateful that we don't have to have the diaper bag discussion anymore. I love my bag. My mom did a great job. My mom, sisters, and sis in laws also threw a suprise baby shower for me. I will post more on that and pictures. I wanted to do all the blogs right now, but the whole picture thing is leaving me in a predicament. So here are two until I can do the rest tomorrow.

New Posts Coming Soon!

2009-01-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

I know our blog is BORING! It needs to be updated and it needs pics. Some of you readers may be happy to know that I am nearing the end of my "To Do" List and Posting Pics, Blogging is on there! So updates will be soon...latests this weekend. However, our baby furniture does come in this weekend so that may take some of our time and I no longer have half day Fridays since it's "Tax Season." And I am getting a "Mother to Be" massage on Saturday (great Christmas gift from my brother-in-law!) But, to my faithful readers, I will give you something to look at besides those skinny jeans and graph very soon!

On A Lighter Note

2008-12-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) Recently Ava got these...won't she look adorable with a cute little white polo shirt tucked in and some little balet flats!

My 2 Cents!

2008-12-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

(post my Marissa) When it rains it pours. 3 posts in 1 hour. Possibly a 4th. Too bad there are not really any pictures on any of them. They are kind of boring posts. Anyways, here is my two cents on a few things. If you take a look at the above graph you will notice steep incline in housing prices between 2004 and 2005. Also, notice the steep decline in late 2007 until now. Well if you take out the steep increase/decline the housing prices are nearly where they should be if it would have followed a gradual increase. While reports of the sharpest decline seem to be on every news channel, I think they should mention that it is probably due to the too large of incline in 2004/2005. In my opinion the market is adjusting itself to a more realistic housing situation to where incomes match the housing costs. When all of this rise in housing was going on, I could only think to myself something doesn't match. The average income cannot afford the average home...hence the now housing problem of people in homes they can't afford. What is even scarier is that because credit is tightened right now (to probably a more realistic level) the economy is tanking. Because people actually have to put some money down on a car or a house or actually be able to afford what they are buying, our economy can't survive it. I think all of this was inevitable. It was the perfect storm brewing. Nearly every household was on the brink of not being able to afford their lifestyles. Maybe things will get back to normal. I mean should a good ole Suburban really cost 50,000? Should a union worker really make more than some college grads and have a Defined Benefit Retirement program? Defined Benefit programs are no good...

I Am Thankful For:

2008-12-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa)

1. Heated Seats in the Car
2. Garage.
3. Vaseline. I love it!
4. Vicks. Again, I love it.
5. Cell Phones. What did we do before them?
6. All Things Christmas
7. A Break From Work
8. Manicures/Pedicures. They can change my day oh so quickly (think Legally Blonde)
9. Facials/Massages. Again heavenly
10. Clean House..again makes my day!
11. The gym so I don't have to freeze working out outside
12. Airplanes. Thank goodness for being able to travel :)
13. A good book. They can make a plane ride go so fast
14. Time off from work to visit family and friends
15. A really Good mall (too bad there is not one in Lubbock)
16. Easy pregnancy (thank you mom)
17. A husband who always wants to go on dates
18. Education...I would go back to school for a Phd someday
19. A Full Stocking on Christmas morning (always have!)
20. New Year to start anew...

STEVE

2008-12-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) Our blog really needs an update. I am bored at work and counting down the time to leave. As a sidenote, I have been busy at work which has been good, but now I'm done my work and bored...We have a lot of pics to post that we may get to over Christmas break. For some reason when I upload a picture it is putting all of the text instead of hte picture so you dont get to see his beautiful little face..

Tag about Steve!

1. He's sitting in front of the TV. What's on the screen?

He doesn't really watch much TV. He has no time and probably because when he does I talk the whole time :) But if he is, it is probably the news or sports. He also likes the Office and recently Lost.

2. You are out to eat. What dressing does he get on his salad?

Ranch. He also likes a good Caesar.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?

Broccoli and Green Beans

4. You go out to a bar. What does he drink first?

Bars? On vaca he loves virgin pina coladas

5. Where did he go to high school?

Riverside & Mauldin (sp?)

6. If he were to collect anything, what would it be?

Collect? Steve does not save much...he even threw out cards I made him when we were dating :(

7. What shoe size does he wear?

10

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?

PBJ..haha j/k....he likes the Chicken Sand from Fudruckers

9. What would he eat every day if he could?

PIZZA! Everyone knows that..

10. What would he never wear?

?? A Polo shirt with the collar up...he hates it...Other than that he is a pretty good dresser...

11. What is his favorite sports team?

? Only hat he has of a sports team is Atlanta Braves so maybe them..he doesnt follow too many teams

12. What is something you do that he wishes you didn't do so much?

Always clean and re-write my "to do lists" and then read them to him...

13. How many states has he lived in?

6 - Washington, California, Utah, Arizona, South Carolina, Texas

14. What is his heritage?

Sweedish

15. You bake him a cake for his birthday. What kind of cake would it be?

A pumpkin cake..he also loves carrot cake

16. Did he play sports in high school?

Basketball

17. What could he spend hours doing?

Golf & Fishing & Shopping (hahaha....he has spent many long days with my mom and i and can hang pretty good!!)

Holidays at the Birds!

2008-12-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) This is why I love my mom.....except for the family picture thing when I'm 6.5 months pregnant. When I asked her about it, the only thing that crossed her mind was Ava won't be in it..not that her daughter will be 6.5 months pregnant! Anyways, here is our little itinerary for Christmas!! That's why I love her... :)

email to family:
just wanted everyone to have a heads up on happenings during the holidays and everyone’s arrival and departure schedules.

Thursday, Dec. 18th Bradley’s Christmas program at Pre-school followed by a friends b-day party
Friday, Dec 19th Alisha and Logan arrive home
Saturday, Dec. 20th Janelle, Bryan & Dallin arrive home
Sunday, Dec 21st: Trip to Storybookland around 3pm and then home for B-day cake and family party for Bradley
Sunday, Dec 21st, Lorin, Brenda & Ashton arrive home
Monday, Dec 22nd: Shopping (limited) and then evening Christmas caroling
Tuesday, Dec 23: Logan has dental appointment 8:00am
Alisah has a dental appointment 3:30pm
Wednesday, Dec 24th Marissa & Steve, Devin & Lynette arrive home
Wednesday, Dec 24th : Christmas Eve dinner (missionaries are coming) & program
Saturday, Dec 27th : Girls are going to Lunch
Guys are babysitting and meeting with Donna Buzbee(accountant) to go over taxes(fun!fun!fun!)
Sunday, Dec 28th : Family pictures around 4pm More info will be coming regarding dress and location (will be inside)
Monday; Dec 29th Lorin & Brenda leave for Connecticut
Dallin’s girlfriend Shannon arrives
Shopping
Tuesday, Dec 30th : Janelle & Bryan appointment with photographer
Janelle, Marissa & mom – nail appointment noon-2:00pm
Wednesday, Dec 31st YM/YW New Year’s Eve Party at our house
Friday, Jan 2: Trip to New York
Dallin & Shannon return to Utah
Saturday, Jan 3: Baby blessing for Ashton in Connecticut (We need the time)
Devin & Lynette schedules to leave
Sunday, Jan 4th Everyone else leaves for home(BOO,HOO,HOO)

I hope this helps everyone plan accordingly. Please print and post this so you will know what is going on

Baby Bedding

2008-12-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

(post by marissa)....because we need an update....
this is our top choice for bedding right now....it is so soft!

Baby Items

2008-11-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) We could not decide on ornaments so the tree is not quite done yet so no Christmas photos yet, but I do have some baby photos. I have changed nearly every item at least once. I think about things probably entirely too much. However, we have decided on a few things. Her furniture is below. She will have the dresser, hutch, and crib. The hutch is cool because the bottom shelf comes out so it can be on the dresser while the dresser is still being used as a changing table. I can store extra diapers in the cubbard so they are not just out in the open and I don't have to bend down to get them because they are at standing height. The crib is really pretty. My mom and I (with Dad in the car) and Steve (as much as he could) went and looked at cribs and all 3 of us (my dad does not have a huge opinion) liked this one the best! The drawers are a good size the and hutch is very functional! So needless to say I am not doing black and white anymore. I am 85% sure we are going to do a pink, cream, and champagne for her bedding. There is a beautiful one that has such soft fabrics, but we are going to wait and see if we see anything else in NJ. So the furniture is now taken care of and the bedding is nearly taken care of!

Next stroller....well let me just say this has def. been the hardest purchase ever. I have decided that with the stroller you have to decide what is important to you. For me, size and weight were a big deal. I did not want ot push around a bus. I know I'll be traveling to NJ and stuff and so I wanted one that would fold up small and could get in and out quickly. So for me the Peg was the best. Also, the infant carrier is really safe with side impact (which Steve cared about a lot). He didn't like the ones where the baby's head didn't look supported and stuff. I know the two drawbacks: cupholder and you have to get to the bag from the side. However, the cupholder is not a big deal at all for me because the only thing I ever have is a bottle of water. I don't think the bag thing will be an issue because I don't usually have tons of stuff. I loved the simplicity, color, and compactness of the stroller. Also, I am going to try and avoid having to get a double stroller and so the little stand feature on the back is a plus to me so that if I have a little toddler that maybe gets tired, the toddler can stand on the back. Also, if I do have to get a double, Peg makes a good double so..

For Steve's sanity...if you have this stroller or know someone who does who does not like it..don't tell me! Steve is probably so done with the stroller conversation. I looked into MacLaren, but they only have umbrella strollers without a cupholder and tray for the kiddo. Graco and Fisherprice were just too big for me. I thought the Chicco was nice, but a little bigger than I wanted. The Zippy seems to be very similar to the Peg so I probably would have been happy with that too. I also considered getting a jogging stroller as my everyday, but it is a little bulky and people may look at me funny. Anyways, I am done with the stroller dilemma and research. I think in time, energy, and thought I have about 10,000 grand in this stroller! So if you have the Peg and love it, bring on the good stuff!!

I do like the Orbit still, but as to why I did not get the Orbit: 1) It seems to be used mostly as an infant system so I would have to then purchase a toddler stroller. The overall cost I just could not justify. 2) If I ever do have to get a double stroller I can't even use the Orbit infant seat because Orbit does not have a double stroller and the carrier is not compatible with any other brand. So those are the only two reasons really. Mainly that I could not use it long enough to justify the cost.

It's Beginnning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

2008-11-23T16:40:00.001-08:00

(post by Marissa) This past week my parents came in town to visit. Usually when my mom comes in town we do a little shopping; mostly clothes/makeup shopping. I really only shop with a few people and more often than not it's my mom. Anyways, this past time she came we did some shopping, but much different shopping. Since I am pregnant and there are not really maternity stores in Lubbock and I don't really care to have all these clothes I can only wear for a few months, we went baby and house shopping. My life is already changing. This little baby is getting all the attention and she is not even here yet! As we were walking around anything we saw, it was for her! We went to nearly every baby store in Lubbock looking for furniture, stroller, bedding, and other essentials. My dad is a trooper and sat in the car reading, checking emails, talking on the phone while my mom were in the various stores. He came in every once in a while to check on us and sat in the back of Babies R Us on the rocking chairs. The good thing though is we nearly decided on all the major items such as crib, dresser, hutch, stroller, infant carrier, and bedding (85% decided). We also decorated for Christmas. Steve and I haven't really decorated for Christmas that much because usually we are busy with finals and stuff and then we leave for almost 3 weeks to visit family. However, since we are now adults and such we should probably have a house that looks like we celebrate Christmas (and since I don't have much else to shop for..i guess I should focus on my house). It definitely does this year! I will post some pics as soon as we finish decorating the tree (we need more ornaments). Thank you Mom and Dad!!

Invention

2008-11-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) So the thing I hear a lot about and am dreading the most is baby blowouts. I can hardly even type the word. Anyways, I have been thinking of all sorts of ideas to try and prevent these things. I thought to put a plastic diaper cover over the diaper. However, I am told it will still not work. Anyways, my latest invention came to me early Sunday morning. I even woke Steve up to tell him what I think we need. He has since modified part of the invention. So here it is....

Could they make a onesy (sp?) that is cotton on the part that touches the baby's skin, but a waterproof material on the part that touches his/her other clothing. So then it is soft still for the baby but won't go throug to the baby's clothing or even worse ME!

Steve's modification: Just have the waterproof type material in the middle. Both the part touching the baby and part that touches the baby's regular clothes will be the cotton.

Anyways, this is just my latest idea? What do you think? Should I sell my idea to Carter's? Or better yet, should I try and make them? I feel like there should be something out there already. Maybe there aren't enough people who think about this quite as much as me or dread it ...maybe everyone else just accepts it and moves on....

Baby Nursery

2008-11-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) If money meant nothing and I had no sense of reality as to how much I should spend on things, I think this would be my baby's nursery.
Crib:

Bedding:

Unfortunately, both of those things mean something. At least it is good to know that if I had unlimited funds, I could design one gorgeous nursery! (and my kid would be best dressed...so those celebrities with poorly dressed kids really need help..i mean they have unlimited funds). I will refrain from saying the prices because you will probably all be shocked.

Bagels

2008-11-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) Some of you may or may not know, but my maternal grandpa was Jewish. I say was because he converted to LDS several years ago. I'm not sure if you ever leave Judaism though, because isn't that a culture..anyways he is no longer practicing the Jewish religion. However, my mom grew up with many Jewish relatives and they celebrated all of the major Jewish holidays and learned to appreciate many of the Jewish foods. She makes a lot of this food for us and we have all grown to love it (her mom was LDS though and attended LDS church)! Back to the original point, if you have ever been to the East Coast or New York you will know there are bagel shops everywhere. We love our bagels. We do not eat at Einstein bagels. We have local bagel shops, just like we don't eat Papa John's Pizza. Steve nearly offends my brothers everytime he says he loves Papa John's. Well, I didn't know why bagels were so big in the east. Then my mom one time was like yeah bagels are Jewish. Well, it all makes sense now as to why there are not great bagels in Utah and why bagels are nearly nonexistent in Lubbock. There are no Jewish people in Utah nor in Lubbock. I guess the fact that bagels are Jewish explains why I LOVE them!! I know they are full or carbs, but I can't resist a really good bagel. I miss the bagels in New Jersey :( So thank you to my Jewish heritage for making these perfect little rolls with a hole in them!

P.S. Other Jewish foods I love: Matza & Kasha

From MSN:

When my family first moved to Larchmont, N.Y., in 1946, my father had a feeling that the neighbors living behind us were Jewish. In those days, you didn't broadcast your religion, so he devised a plan that would reveal their cultural background. We would go to the Bronx and bring back some bagels. If our neighbors knew what the rolls were, they were Jewish. If they stared at them in bewilderment, we would know they were not. To my father's delight, as soon as our neighbors saw the bagels, they recognized them.

Sorry Massachussetts, We Will Not be Moving

2008-11-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) I sort of stumbled upon some articles about gay marriage and what it has done to the state of MA. I seriously cannot believe it. Here are a few articles. It is crazy. There is no way we would be moving to MA. If we ever did, our kids would be in private school no matter what.

Why Gays Want It Legalized:
http://townhall.com/columnists/FrankTurek/2008/10/26/a_vote_against_gay_marriage_is_a_vote_for_tolerance?page=full

http://townhall.com/columnists/AustinNimocks/2008/10/20/finally,_straight_talk_from_the_homosexual_agenda?page=2

Implications in MA as it is legalized:
http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm.html

I found these to be pretty good. The MA article is scary. I'm glad we live in the great state of Texas! I can't imagine having that kind of problem here.

Last article from LDS living. Thank you Catholics for sticking up for the LDS. We are not the only church against gay marriage.
http://ldslivingonline.com/article.php?articleId=81962

Pregnancy Pics..

2008-11-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) Some pregnancy pics...I don't like that the pics are on on odd number weeks, but whatever. Looking at these, I realize my belly is def. growing. I'm not sure how much bigger I want it to get, but I guess it's def going to so...

15 Weeks
17 Weeks

19 Weeks

21 Weeks

Great and Spacious Building...

2008-11-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

(Post by Steve) This short video shows protestors at the LA Temple. It brings those in the "large and spacious building" alive. I think it's worth checking out. Listen carefully to what people scream out.

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-141635

No, I am not a bigot and homophobe because I believe marriage should be limited to a man and a woman. What people do in their own bedroom is up to them and doesn't affect me. However, when the issue becomes a constitutional question, this undoubtedly affects me and my family. If gay marriage is legalized, my rights as a parent become impinged. I no longer have a say in who teaches my child about what when it comes to homosexuality. In Massachusetts, a father was arrested for refusing to allow the school to hand out "diversity packets" to his son. These packets contained books that taught about the nuts and bolts of homosexuality. By the way, this child was in kindergarten! Of course, Massachusetts is a state that has legalized gay marriage.

Why do we rely on schools to teach about sex, anyways? Weren't schools supposed to teach math and reading. I know when my daughter is in Kindergarten, I don't want any of the school faculty to talk to her about sex in general, much less homosexuality! That's my responsibility.

Baby Bedding

2008-11-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) I am trying to find all white crib bedding...and it is very difficult.. I think I need to learn how to sew...some of you may be asking all white bedding? isn't that a little boring...it will be cute! we'll put pics when we finally some bedding..

And then there were TWO!

2008-11-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

(post by Marissa) two girls that is!

On Friday we had our 20 week ultrasound and found out she's a girl! I was really excited and as it got closer to finding out the sex of the baby, I kind of started wanting a girl more! So I guess I got what I wanted! We are going to name her Ava May Jensen, unless when she comes out I all of a sudden have change of mind! I may regret it later, but I kind of want a little mini-me. Maybe I feel a similarity to her because she'll be the oldest girl and I am the oldest girl (another topic later on how im the oldest girl). It feels more real now because when we talk about the little baby it's not an "it" or "heshe"...its a little baby girl! There are more cute things out there for girls than I can even begin to imagine. I get excited thinking about going and getting nails done and seeing Disney Princess Movies! Steve will do great with it too...In fact today in nursery it was him reading to all of the girls and I was reading to all of the boys. He looked over to me and said, "Why do I have all the girls?" I'm thinking this little girl will probably be going to him when I'm being mean (bc im def the disciplinary) or not understanding! So here we come bows, ribbons, tears, and dolls!

Election

2008-10-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Well, I am doing Steve's job and getting a little political. I have never been into politics much, but with this upcoming election, I am a little more. I can't stand to watch much, but I do have an interest in all of it. Maybe because I am at the age where it will actually affect me.

My friend Mindy posted some articles and such on her blog. Please see her blog it's...
mindytylercam.blogspot.com

Some of it is long, but def. worth the read. I cannot believe Obama's view on abortion..it's insane to me. If nothing else read the interview with Glenn Beck on abortion.

October 15th

2008-10-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa)

Dear October 15th,
I am glad you are gone. I have had enough of you. I have had enough sleepless nights and dreams of mileage and tuition deductions. Please don't creep up like that again either. Can you please change the clients of October 15th. Please remind them you are coming. I don't like to beg for their info. I know you come at the same time every year, but maybe you are sneaky and so people forget.....there are no more extensions. Uncle Sam actually needed his money yesterday, so really you have been paying interest and penalties since April. Can you help them have all their stuff in one place? Can you remind them their credit card purchases at Nordstroms are not deductible? Can you let them know I don't like digging through a huge mounting pile of nothing for the 1 paper I need? Please help them with organization, especially doctors and contractors. Contractors, I am on to you..100% of your car is not for business and you would have a cell phone even if you weren't a contractor. You can't fool me...though you try. Please help them not spill coffee on their papers. It grosses me out. Maybe then Oct.15th if you can do all of these things, I won't hate you anymore. I do love that my husband stepped in and made dinner though, so if you (Oct 15th) had anything to do with that, I thank you. Please do that again next year! Please fix all the rest though.

Sincerely,

An Exhausted Accountant

Tagged

2008-10-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

8 Favorite TV Shows (in no particular order)
Note: I have not seen any of these shows in probably over a year, but still...
1. King of Queens
2. Everybody Loves Raymond
3. Fabulous Life Of ....
4. Commercials (This is no. 1)
5. ??
6. ??
7. ??
8. ??

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Cafe Rio/Costa Vida
2. Hickory Kist
3. Las Brisas
4. Hula Grill
5. Rumbi Grill
6. Melting Pot
7. Great Harvest
8. Abuelos

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. Went to step class
2. Dropped off clothes at the dry cleaners
3. Made pumpkin bread
4. Made soup
5. Did people's taxes (yes 2 days before they are due..and I did lots more today)
6. Recorded stuff in Quickbooks
7. Cleaned my already clean house
8. Talked to steve
(wow my monday was BORING)

8 Things to Look Forward To:
1. Christmas in NJ
2. NYC with the family..and broadway play
3. Finding out what we are having ...10.31
4. The Weekend
5. My mom coming in town in a month...Holiday Happening Shopping
6. October 15th deadline coming and passing
7. Shopping for the baby
8. The Shopoholic movie

8 Things I Love About Fall:
1. The Clothes
2. The smells
3. Fall Foliage
4. A morning run in the cool morning air
5. The colors
6. Apples
7. Parties
8. Christmas around the corner

8 Things on My Wish List:
1. Vacation
2. Designer maternity jeans
3. New Purse
4. New Sunglasses
5. Diamond Earrings
6. Another Vacation
7. Healthy Baby
8. Stronger Economy and for Obama to lose...

8 People I'm Tagging
1. Julie
2. Kendal
3. Kat
4. Emily
5. Steve (so he can actually post)
6. Cori
7. Lynette (update your blog please...)
8. Brenda

Diaper Bag

2008-10-09T14:08:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) This is the bag I currently like. It will probably change because I have already taken my prior two bags off the list. It is a Petunia Pickle Bottom, but part of their Cake Collection. I do still like another Petunia bag (same type as yours Michelle). I like how I would def. use it after I needed it as a diaper bag. It is very disguised. I like how it has both types of straps, interior and exterior pockets (but the pockets don't stick out like a sore thumb). I like that it zips close so everything is not falling out and it is fancy!

P.S. For any of you who wish you had a husband with an opinion on items of fashion, home decor, and style; you can borrow mine for the day. I sent this to him and said I liked it. This was his email reply: "that bag is okay. It's a little gothic. it kind of looks like a bag you'd bring to a funeral."

A few months ago, he told me to let him handle the diaper bag purchase. Sorry, I need a say in that one!

I'm PREGNANT!

2008-10-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I know most of you already know, but I'm pregnant! I'm just over 16 weeks now. We found out in Mexico in July. There was a chance I could be pregnant and so Steve went searching on the resort for a pregnancy test. He had to try and explain what he wanted with hand gestures since he doesn't know Spanish. Well, there was one to buy for $20 bucks, but my logical self thought, if I'm pregnant I will still be pregnant in a week so I can find out when I get home because $20 bucks for a pregnancy test is ridiculous. Well, Steve was not very satisfied with my reply. The day we were off the resort, he was on a mission...PREGNANCY TEST. So, we found a litle store and had to once again try and explain what we needed. Steve is using hand gestures to make a big belly and stuff. The tests were behind the counter, which explains why we had to tell the workers what we needed! They were utterly confused, but Steve was not giving up! We bought a test and went back to the resort and sure enough, two pink lines. He immediately started searching the internet for all sorts of info and the development and stuff. I would wake up and find him on the computer looking at baby names or baby gadgets! Steve was still not entirely convinced and when we returned back to the states, he thought I should go to the hospital to get a blood test...Anyone that knows us knows Steve has been a little baby hungry for sometime now! It was certainly a memorable way to find out and we have some good laughs about trying to find a test! I did take an American test to convince Steve's family I was pregnant! (he has played a few too many pranks!) The baby is due March 22nd, 2009. I always wanted a March baby, so things worked out perfect with my whole life plan!

The reason for the picture of the stroller: This may surprise some of you, but for those who know me well know I have a slight obsession with strollers. I kidd you not, the first thing I thought of when I found out I was pregnant was...what stroller am I going to get? I have gone through every scenario and I still have not decided on a stroller. I have had long conversations analyzing every stroller decision with my sister, Alisha. I have inquired advice from other sisters in law and I still have no answer. I will keep you updated on my stroller decision making. The stroller has taken a backseat though recently to the diaper bag dilemma. I am trying to find the perfect one. I think my sister MichaelAnn has the perfect bag, but Steve says no way (it was a lot) and I don't want to copy. Both of these things consume me because they are used, literally, daily and their sucess is based on their functionality! I play out too many scenarios in my head, which eventually leaves every functional item imperfect.

Sale!

2008-10-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Last weekend, Banana Republic had a 30% off EVERYTHING SALE. I didn't even know about it, until I walked it to buy Steve some socks. Then the salesperson says, "do you know about our sale today?" Then she told me...30% off everything. They have never had a sale like that. I felt sad because there was really nothing I needed at the time. I can still wear my regular clothes and I didn't know what size to buy for the in between stage so really the sale went without use from me. I bought Steve some socks and a shirt, but then I returned the shirt. I had a feeling when I bought it I would be back to ret urn it because it was a tan color and Steve doesn't think tan looks good with jeans and it had a zipper and he doesn't like zipper collars (see Tagged below on his pickiness). I did manage to pick him out some socks though! I hope some of you were able to benefit from it! If you did not though, they are having another sale from October ???? to ???. I am too lazy to go get my little coupon thing. I'll let you know when it is..it's soon though! So as you are buying any new fall clothes, think of me. I love fall clothes but there is really no point to buying anything. My mom is coming in less than a month and we'll probably just go shopping for baby stuff and maternity stuff, which the ladder is not too exciting in my opinion :) Oh the sacrifices, we women make! I guess based on my last post, I value clothes, but it's not really my money I'm spending so maybe I can dodge that as being what I value :)

Time

2008-10-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

(post by MArissa) I will post some pics of me at 15 and 16 weeks in a couple of days, but for now you will have to read the inner thoughts of Marissa. I don't know why I still put post by MArissa. I think it is obvious every post is by me.

Back to the original point of the post. In one of my first accounting classes, the great Norm Nemrow said, "follow someone's checkbook and you will see what they value. " Well, I think it also goes for time. Steve and I frequently discuss how much America spends on entertainment and sports and what kind of message that sends to the youth. It was evident when I was at the gym on Saturday morning where our time and money goes to in the fall...FOOTBALL. There were at least 12 TV's in that gym ALL on FOOTBALL (well maybe 2 on news). I could not believe how much time and money is wasted on watching it. I mean I can understand spending a Saturday morning with some guys playing it, good exercise, spend time with some friends, fresh air, etc. But to watch it like all day because there is not just one game, but several. It is not just Saturday, but Sunday and Monday night too. Granted I am not a TV watcher or even much of a sitter, so I cannot fully appreciate it, but it seems like a waste of time to me. I mean it can't be fun for the little ones that may be running around or for the wives. Maybe in the next life, I will have the love of watching sports revealed to me. Actually, it's not even just sports, it's really just TV in general. I just don't see the point of half (okay 99%) of the shows on. I like 60 minutes. Thankfully, Steve just checks the scores at the end of the weekend. Then he knows the same as everyone else who spent all weekend watching it. Hopefully, as he has more time, he does not turn to torturing me with football watching :) As a sidenote, I don't mind getting together and watching it with some friends (then I have some girls to talk to) or going to the game with some friends (again people watching or a girl to talk to), but to just watch it by ourselves in our house is too much for me. I know part of my problem is I have absolutely no clue how you even score except a touchdown. Steve explained what some stuff was to me last week, but it didn't help that much. Now, if you asked me to go play, I probably would because at least I wouldnt be sitting (and did play with my brothers when I was little). I was pretty good at doing that zig zag type running!

Steve's contribution: "Your posts are always so full of strong opinions that have potential of offending the reader."

I hope I do not offend anyone because I hope to have this joy reveled to me in my next life. And who knows, maybe after I have this little baby, I will be able to sit still and will relish in my sitting time and I can eat all my words.

Steve once told me that he would handle a certain situation that was delicate because I was no diplomat.

Tagged

2008-09-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

My sis in law Kenzi tagged me. So here are 6 (actually 8) quirks about me...I'm doing it for Steve too since he doesn't have any time to blog...I mean any...

1. I like to have vacuum lines at all times in at least one part of the house. This is usually the guest bedroom and part of the family room. We usually walk around the coffee table a certain way so I'll always have vacuum lines

2. I also like empty trash cans. We have a trash can in our bedroom, but I usually tell Steve not to throw any trash in it and to put it in the bathroom trash can..

before I bore you with my OCD on cleaning I will try and think of other quirks I have, but most of mine have to do with cleaning and organizing!

3. I hate wrinkles in my clothes. I will either steam or iron everything I wear, which makes travelling a pain because everything gets wrinkled

4. I can't sleep with the closet door open or any doors open for that matter. If I know a door is open I will have to get up and close it

5. I (like McKenzie) have to have earrings in my ears and usually pearls. I am on my 6th set of pearl studs. I would wear them waterskiing and swimming, etc. I am smarter now though..I wear fake pearls when I do sporting events so I don't lose my real ones. Last time we were in Hawaii my mom bought me my final final pair because I had lost my other ones that Steve bought, which he bought because I had lost my last pair of final earrings from my mom. However, the Hawaii pearls really are the last ones she said she would buy me so I better not lose them :) And I love them because they are big :)

6. I can't eat fast food. I know they have salads and stuff, but I just can't eat there. The only thing I can eat from those places is a frosty or small McDonalds vanilla ice cream cone. When I was little and on road trips I wouldnt even go in them. I would sit in the car...Pathetic I know.

7. I like my chicken done. And I don't like the fat part or the edges.

8. I have to add another because I don't like ending on a 7. It's an ugly number eventhough it is supposed to be good luck. I can't leave the house without the bed made...EVER!

Okay here are some quirks about Steve as told by Marissa:

1. He is very obsessive about his hair. When he gets out of the shower, he has to put on a hat so it doesn't make his hair puffy. While walking in the wind, he gets very nervous about his hair. When we were dating, we did baptisms for the dead and he kept saying, "well I'm not going to get baptized" and I was like "that's fine, I don't care." Then he ended up having to...and he was a little nervous/stressed about his hair!! Now I know it was all because his hair would be wet and he wouldnt' be able to put a hat on so it would get puffy!!!

2. He has to have his tie exactly to the middle of his belt. He will tie it over and over again until it is exactly to the middle of his belt.

3. He is very concerned about his shirt/pants being of different bagginess. He does not like if the shirt is baggy and the pants are more fitted. This is even a problem for workout clothes.

4. He likes pizza more than any other person in the world. He doesn't care what kind at all..he could eat it 3 meals a day and probably NEVER get sick of it..(his fav is Pappa John's which is a disgrace to us east coasters!)

5. The bathroom door must be closed when he is taking a shower. He notices if I even open the door a little.

6. He likes things to fit exactly perfect. He'll try on the 31, too small; 32, too big. It's one inch. Medium, sleeves are too short; large, body is too long. Jeez he needs a 31.5 and a M/L. I know I am picky, but he can certainly hold his own!

7. Okay he probably wouldn't have cared too much about the other ones, but this one may break the straw off the camel's back...He used to take a bath nearly every Sunday with bubbles (with a scent he chose) and the music going! It was pretty funny..Ocassionally he would even read..He doesn't have time for these luxuries anymore :(

8. I just dont want to end of 7..see above :) His shoes have to match just right..he is picky when it comes to shoes..

He will probably kill me, but that's okay...

I tag Brenda, Wendy (post it on Ben's blog to spice things up), Mindy, Ashley (this will give you something to blog about :), and whoever else is bored at work like me!!! Also, feel free to post about husband quirks either in conjunction with yours or instead of yours! i think it's funny to read about men's quirks because its a given we women have them!

My 2 Cents!

2008-09-18T07:45:00.002-07:00

(post by Marissa) Note: Marissa has no degree in economics and does not follow politics that closely, but I of course do have an opinion.

With all of these economic issues arising I think of a few things:

1. What the heck were these mortgage lenders and banks thinking giving loans to people who could clearly not pay for them..

2. Why is the gov't who doesn't have any money either going to bail out the banks and lenders who were only concerned about making loan origination fees a few years ago? Way to go Big Business, get the gov't involved. This will only solve things short term and in the end we'll have more problems. Just like lowering the interest rates too low for too long after 9/11. It made it better for a bit, but certainly helped create the housing bubble, which has created all of this banking nonsense.

3. Emergency Funds: Investments are not for bad times. You want an emergency fund (cash, bonds) of about 6 months salary BEFORE you start investing...why? Well, when do you need cash..when the economy and job market is great? No, you need cash when the economy is down. Rather than having to pull out from your stocks and such and lose money, you use your emergency fund so you can ride the wave of less than ideal economic performance. The stock market is emotional. When people hear bad news (which the news LOVES by the way..our economy has been tanking for like 8 years according to them..) they sell their stock because they get nervous. This then creates even more economic scurry. Meanwhile the investment brokers are in heaven because they are making lots of money on fees, fees, and more fees. So, before investing we need Emergency Funds. (thank you Professor Sudweeks. He has truly sold Steve and I on the need for an Emergency Fund).

Lastly, I propose a basic financial class be REQUIRED in high school. I mean we have to take classes like ancient Greek Mythology but not a basic money class. So many people don't even know when taxes are due or how to balance a checkbook or live in a budget. If I am ever YW president, I think I would give every laurel a little money workshop before they head ot college. Basically we tell kids it's okay to have cell phones, laptops, safe sex, but not have a freaking clue how to pay for the cell phone, laptop, or the baby that can surely come.....

(sorry for the soapbox..if it makes you feel good, you readers only get them ocassionally, Steve is subject to them lots more!)

Another Riddle

2008-09-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) Okay, I'm not going to lie, I love these brain teaser type q's. I may have shared this one with some of you before. I actually got this one in an interview and I got it right. It's not really hard though....

You have a scale and 9 balls. 8 of the balls are the exact same weight. 1 of the balls is slightly heavier. You can use the scale 3 times to determine which ball is heavier. How would you do it??

Answer...

2008-09-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I know I sometimes hate to get the answer because I want to figure it out, but I also hate not knowing so here is the answer to the little riddle!

Ask each computer: What would the lying computer tell me is the correct button to push to get out of the room?

(For discussion purposes, lets say GREEN was the button to get out)

Truth Computer: Would say RED because that is what the lying computer would say
LYING COMOUTER: Would say RED since it always lies...

So you would push the GREEN!

read the answer a couple times and it will start to make sense...

Riddle

2008-09-15T11:00:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) Last night Greg and his wife Elizabeth (Bitsy) came over for dinner along with another couple from Steve's law school. Anyways, Greg gave us this little riddle....

You are in a room that is ready to be blown up. There are two buttons on the wall; a green and a red button. One of the buttons will open the door and the other will blow up the room. There are also two computers in the room; one which tells the truth and the other which always lies. You can ask each computer the same question (total of 2 questions, but the question has to be the same for each computer). How would you safely get out of the room (ie how would you know which button to push). Enjoy!

Rain

2008-09-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Some people like the rain and stuff. However, I have always hated the rain. It is so annoying. I don't mind a cloudy day every once in a while, but the rain is just annoying. Steve lived in Seattle for a year I think and he said he liked it and wouldn't mind living there. However, for me...NO WAY. He has since changed his mind after one time there were a few days of cloudiness and he decided he needed the SUN!!! It has been raining in Lubbock for a week and quite frankly I can't handle it. It's not like you can even go shopping or out to eat. It makes you not want to do anything because you'll just be tredging through rain and be soaking wet when you get there. You don't want ot get ready because you are just going to be a mess when you go anywhere...conclusion..the rain is no fun :( So please RAIN STOP!!! To all you mothers out there in Lubbock who have to run errands, I am really impressed. I don't know how you do it, especially those without a garage....but i guess I did turn my sprinklers off so there is my positive attitude!

Help with Vacation!

2008-09-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) My mom put me semi in charge of planning the Bird Family Vacation for 2009. I need some help coming up with ideas/resorts. There are 20 adults and 10 children. The children will range from 2 months to 13 years old. We will be going the end of June beginning of July. My mom and I discussed 1) Dude Ranch 2) Island All-Inclusive Vacation 3) Southern CA (Disneyland, Sea World, etc.). However, we do not know specifics for these places. If you have been to any resorts, Dude Ranches or any other place you loved as a family vacation...please share! We don't want ot have to cook and stuff and so that's why the Dude Ranch and Island All-Inclusive are so appealing :). Share any ideas you have....thanks..

Goal!

2008-09-09T17:36:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) I posting this for the public to see so I feel like an absolute failure if I don't get it done :) My goal is by the end of the year to have all of my pictures scrapbooked. I am current on our recent pictures..the problem is Steve's younger years, my younger years, and Steve's mission. Most of my younger years are already scrapbooked, but I have 1 more box left. Steve does not have tons of younger years pictures :( His mission is partly done, I just need his help finishing the rest...so this goal is very doable!! Since Steve doesn't get home until after 8 pm usually and I get home from the gym around 6:45, I have at least 1.5 hours every night to scrapbook, plus my Fridays and Saturday mornings. Basically, any moment I have (like right now) I should be scrapbooking to make sure everything is all current! Now that this goal is public, I will feel lots of pressure to get this done....I will post updates. Hopefully, by Sunday September 21st, Steve's mission will be complete.

Colette, if you have any other pictures of Steve, send them my way and I will add them to his pile. Also, the next set of pictures I get developed (which should be this or next week) I will get doubles and send you some pages for your book.

Check In or Carry On?

2008-09-02T13:11:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) This question was on MSN.com and I have mixed opinions. I used to always check everything so I would only have my purse. Now, however, I prefer to carryon so nothing gets lost and I don't have to deal with baggage claim. My Vera Bradley can hold about a week's worth of stuff, no joke! Of course, there is the problem if you are going for 2 weeks somewhere. Also, with kids I think I will def. be checking everything and have everything in bags that zip for any carryon items the kiddos need! The last thing I want to do is lug around my stuff and my kid's stuff so I'll let the airlines handle that.

So which do you prefer, checking?

or carrying on?

Move Faster

2008-09-02T10:53:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) Warning: Slight amount of Venting! Okay, so I understand I move entirely too fast and I'm too impatient. I used to empty the dishwasher and time myself to see if I could do it faster than before. I like to get things done in the most effecient, fastest way possible. So I know I am on one end of the spectrum, but today I experienced the other side of the spectrum. I am not even sure if this was on the spectrum. Maybe I should stop and be more friendly, but really I just like to get in and get out and cross it off my list. I am getting used to stopping and chatting with the cashier, etc. However, when there are long lines, workers you need to move fast!!! Today while at the post office, I literally thought we were moving in slow motion. I almost fell asleep just watching the workers move. I thought maybe it was just me, but nope! The old man next to me said something about how this lady would never survive in a real world, good thing she works for hte gov't. So here it was a good ole man from Texas saying this lady was just too slow! I could not handle it. Wow, I have never experienced anything like it. I mean don't they want to move faster. I thought they were going to fall asleep or something..they had no life in them..Anyways, I think if I worked for the post office, I would get promoted :)

Full-Day Kindergarten??

2008-08-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) If you don't know I have a small obsession with education and learning; especially when it comes to my future children's education. When I was growing up, I went to kindergarten in the afternoon. I stayed at home in the morning and went to kindergarten in the afternoon. You had the option of morning/afternoon/full day. I don't know anyone that did full day because all of my friend's moms stayed home. When I think about it, I am actually surprised because in a place like NJ, I did not have 1 close friend where their mom worked....Anyways, now it seems like every school is full day kindergarten. And it is not for the kids; it's for the parents. I was speaking with a co-worker and she was saying that after lunch, they just have a nap and a snack. This kind of annoyed me because we always had a snack when we got home and that is when my mom would catch up with us. We certainly weren't just going to sit at the table at the age of 5 and tell her how our day went; but because we needed a snack we sat there and talked with her. Well if they already have a snack, then there is no need to talk to mom about their day! We did not go to daycare or 2 years of pre-school etc, however; I would consider most of the kids in my family fairly intelligent and successful. However, there are def. some late bloomers in my family. Rarely were the bird kids the first to read, etc. However, within a few short years we had passed all the kids that seemed so smart at a young age because while we didn't know some things, we had stronger brains from more positive learning environment in the home. We played a lot and had good discussions with other siblings/parents, etc; which allowed us to pass the other kids. This article below discusses this exact thing. That while a full day kindergarten may put the kid ahead for that 1 year; the effects do not last long and are usually passed by other children. So, it doesn't matter if your kid can read at 4 or 5. What really matters is the strength of the brain and surprisingly a lot of that can be developed from healthy interaction and playing with your children. Children have to use their brain a lot when they play! When I am looking at schools, I hope I can find one that gives my child a half day kindergarten even if some think he/she will be behind for 1 year...he/she will pass the others in time. I mean they are all going to learn how to read and learn those basic math skills. If I teach them 1 on 1, I can teach them the same amount in about 1 hour when it would take the teacher about 2 or 3 hours. If they are at school all day, then the last thing they are going to want to do with me is learn for another hour. Also, when playing and talking with them, you can throw in a lot of teaching in a more fun/interesting way. I think at that young age there are a lot more ways to teach children than just in a formal classroom, you can get their brain thinking and working in lots of ways. I think they will develop their brain more, enjoy learning more, and be smarter if they are developing their brain in more unique ways than just sitting in a classroom. In fact the most expensive schools, Montessori schools practice this form of learning. For whatever reason I have a small passion for this..maybe I'll get on a school board when I have kids or at least the PTA :)

As a sidenote it was kind of easy for my mom because I had several siblings to play and interact with. So I learned a lot from my older siblings. Also, I did go to pre-school at Tomorrow's World and loved it. I am not advocating pre-school at home or home school, but full day kindergarten is not really necessary....And I believe in the option for morning/afternoon/full day. Who knows maybe with hte first full day kindergarted would be good because they may get bored at home with just younger siblings....I just like options :)

http://health.msn.com/kids-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100213884&GT1=31036

Shoes

2008-08-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) So my shoe fetish has come on late in life. When I would go shopping with my mom, I would usually buy clothes and she would come home with shoes....lots of shoes. I always heard how some people love shoes. I liked them, but I didn't buy a pair of shoes before the outfit! My mom has LOTS of shoes and always has. She has a different pair of shoes for absolutely every outfit. I am still not where my mom is...however, I have come to the conclusion that the shoes truly do make the outfit! First, do you ever have those days where you are at work or out and you just hate what you are wearing. All you want to do is change...fix your shoes, outfit, hair, etc. Well, I have some of those days and I'll even go home at lunch and fix whatever is bothering me...I know pathetic, but I just get so obsessed with it that I;ll lose focus..okay I'll stop confessing! Anyways, today is not one of those days. I am wearing a dress that I had bought last summer. I always wore these one shoes and they looked pretty good. Well, this summer I had to buy a new pair of shoes (similar to my old ones) for some other dresses I had that my old shoes would def. not work for. Well, the outfit is about 100x better and I feel so much more complete. The shoes def. do make the outfit.

As a sidenote, Steve has a small fetish for hats and shoes on top of men's dress clothing. He will go shopping when he needs real clothes and look at shoes and hats. And when he is getting ready his stress is what shoes will look good! It's pretty funny..so if our kids get a shoe fetish at an early age, it will be from my mom or their dad not from their mom surprisingly!

NJ, Mexico, random wedding pic

2008-08-27T14:19:00.001-07:00

The reason there are no pics of Steve waterskiing is well he didn't upload them to facebook. He said I didn't take very good pictures of him.... We have a lot more of my bro's homecoming I'll post too. Wyoming to come.. I'll let you digest all these pics first!

Morning Water Ski run...a little chilly but perfect water!

Wedding Straggler...

@the Airport. 4th of July..picking up Logan. We rode in a big party bus to go pick him up (like a limo inside) but I dont have pics of that. The ride was pretty fun!

WEDDING PICS!

2008-08-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of the wedding..they are the same ones from facebook! I realized I dont have any pictures of the room and stuff and the outside hour (the cocktail hour...). It was beautiful though..the prof. photographer will have some on his website! I know if you didn't know better you may think I was getting married from the bridals steve took of me!

Update!

2008-08-27T07:23:00.001-07:00

(post by Marissa) I know we are in major major need of some updating. All of the pictures are on Steve's computer and he is ALWAYS on it, but I will try to steal it for a bit so we can update this boring blog we have going! So, I'll give you a quick recap of what's been going on and what is currently going on!

July 3rd to July 13th = NJ. Logan got home from his mission..We did more than our fair share of playing. The day started off with waterskiing or a bikeride on the boardwalk, then the beach or pool, some dinner, and possibly back to the boardwalk for some more fun! We played tons and had a great time!

July 14th to July 21st = MEXICO. Steve and I went to Mexico for some R&R . We had a blast. We did a bunch of excursions and sipped pina coladas by the pool..can't complain there!

July 23rd to Aug 1 = IDAH & UTAH We went to Idaho to Lava Hot Springs for my dad's family reunion. Despite the ghetto living conditions we had a great time. We floated the river, sat by the pool, jumped off the high dives, and socialized. I should say I because Steve ditched me after 1 night and went fishing in Wyoming! (I dont have pics of Idaho, but he has some Wyoming pics we can post)

Aug 2 to Aug 13 = WYOMING w/the Jensen's. We had a great time! We went fishing, camping (in a cabin so that was nice), hiking, 4-wheeling, swimming, and to Bear Lake. We also went to a Chuck Wagon dinner and listened to some good 'ole country tunes! The band was really funny and we had a great time! Steve did some more fishing, but probably still not enough to satisfy his fishing appetite. On the way home from the cabin, we almost died because of my father-in-law's dangerous driving, but I'll let that one slide only this once. Although, I may take my own car next time!!!

August 13th to August 17th = NJ ...back to NJ for the wedding. It was beautiful. I loved the dresses. I must say the dress I had to wear was much better than the dress my bridesmaids wore! It really was gorgeous and we had a blast! We danced, ate, socialized, and smiled LOTS for pictures! I'll post a link to the professional pics as well. We also have pics. Mostly they are of me because STeve thought I was getting married again!! haha...I have some pics that look like bridal shots...they are pretty funny!

CURRENTLY: Steve = prisoner to library. Except this year he studies on the 3rd floor instead of the dungeon! I am back to work counting and filing taxes..woohooo! P.S. Extended deadline is Oct 15..don't forget! We went ot hte pool a couple of times and had a Law Social. We are back in our calling at nursery. I must say I really do enjoy it and I think I will be in primary my whole life; well at least until I can look as old as the women in Young Women's!

I promise I will post some good shopping finds or interesting facts or some financial info to entertain you because I am sure a travel log is not what you wanted when you say "update this blog!" Pics to come..promise. I was just gettting so sick of the Gen Y Facts!

Recently Read: Breaking Dawn....currently reading Emotional Intelligence

Generation Y

2008-07-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa)

Some Generation Y Facts!

97% own a computer
94% use a cell phone (only 94%???)
76% use instant messaging
15% of IM users are logged on 24/7
34% use websites for their news
28% author a blog and 44% read blogs
49% download music using peer-to-peer file sharing
75% of college students have a facebook account
60% own some sort of portable music device such as in iPod

Logan George!

2008-07-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Brothers, Gpa, Dad (looks so young you can't tell which one he is (can I have $50 bucks dad?)) & Steve

Logan & Mom in Utah before MTC

Logan & Janelle (see helping the girls)

(post by Marissa) Steve tried to blog at our house yesterday, but the internet was being weird from his computer; but he assures me he has a couple posts. For now, it's me again!

My little (well younger) brother comes home on Friday, July 4th from his mission in Hawaii! Everyone is excited. He is definitely everyone's favorite. He is the total package. I have a lot of great brothers with excellent qualities; but he seems to have everyone's best qualities. He is really smart (engineering major), funny, loves kids, so tenderhearted, good looking, athletic, well dressed, loves to shop, understands girls etc. Most of my brothers grew up with other brothers. Logan on the otherhand grew up with girls. He was in the house with my two younger sisters and me! So he certainly understands girls.

2 Quick Stories:

1. Logan had the whole basement to himself after my other brothers went to college. He loves people so this was hard for him. He would always say, "hey miss, do you want to put a movie in?" He usually proceeded to then put in some great chick flick! For both of us, this meant falling asleep before the beginning credits were over. He just didn't want to fall asleep by himself. He hated sleeping by himself and sometimes would come sleep on the floor in my bedroom and we would just talk. We had so much fun at BYU. I loved that I could just call and chat with him on my way home from school. He is a girl in that way..always always on the phone and loves to shop!

2. As a freshman at BYU, Logan had Diner's Plus and so he would always offer to take me out or buy me something from Market Grill in the Tanner Building. Everyday, I would be in there and he bought 2 breakfast bagels; which consisted of 2 bagels, 1 OJ and 1 Apple Juice, and cream cheese. I think on Diner's Plus you get like 9 bucks a day. Well before 9 am he had already spent about 5.50 on breakfast. Well one time, he was buying me something and he had no more money left on his card..a frequent problem for him. What does he do to take care of his sister? Yell over to one of his friends to pay for me! And of course his friend did it. His friends would do anything for him because they seriously worship him. He has more friends than he knows what to do with.

3. Last story: As a senior in high school, I ran cross country and convinced Logan to do it with me. He did not love it but was a good sport. Well, we went to Disney for a race and my mom gave us money and a Credit Card just in case. First night, we go to Rainforest Cafe for dinner. The coach (my calculus teacher) came to everyone and told each of us to the penny how much we owed. He came to Logan and said, "What did you order?" Logan replied, "Oh you know a little of everything." Literally, his tab was $60. Needless to say he bummed cash from me then needed the credit card. In his defense, he bought a dessert that was like 15 bucks for everyone and ordered an appetizer for everyone.

4. I have to add this one. Anyone that knows him knows how much he loves kids. Kids from all over would come to our house and ask if Logan was home and if Logan wanted to go riding with him. He was like 16 and would have 6 year olds coming and asking for him and Logan would go riding with them or fix their bike or let them hang out with him and his friends. This one little kid was having his five year old birthday party and his mom asked, "When do you want your party?" He replied, "Well, when can Logan come?" Yes, Logan went to his party. He is all of the nephews favorite and makes friends with every kid around.

I could go on and on. Everyone is more than excited for him to come home! He really is a favorite! Whoever somehow manages to catch this one will be a very very lucky girl! (As I am reading all of these things, I realize Logan is just like Steve! So I guess I am one luck girl. P.S. Logan and I get along so well because he is the youngest boy with sisters and I am the functionally oldest girl; which is an ideal combo. Which would also explain why Steve and I's personalities complement each other so well. More on birth order later!)

Can Someone Ask My Opinion

2008-07-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) First, I need someone to show me how to embed an article without having the whole ugly url...Second, the reason for the post. Everywhere we go, I kid you not I usually have some suggestion for the restaurant, store, business, etc. Sometimes I offer them (which Steve thinks is crazy) and sometimes I just tell them to others. However, I usually do have some change to recommend. Steve jokes that every place should have a "Marissa's suggestion Box." I think I could keep them full! Well, retailers are now asking women their ideas before they do major developments. Sign me up! This is something I would love to do! I think I may have found my niche! So next time they are doing a big project in Lubbock, maybe I will suggest they do a women's focus group and then suggest that I be included. Anyways, interesting article and quite frankly a "no duh..why didn't you think to ask the people actually shopping for their opinon instead of some engineer." I mean not trying to be rude or anything, but do you really think engineers spend lots of time browsing the malls and parks....NO! (my bro is an engineering major so I can say this..but he does love to shop so I guess he is a little different..he has more clothes than me! Also, he comes home on Friday from his mission!)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/business/02retail.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Steve Tag

2008-06-22T13:27:00.001-07:00

What is his name? that depends..church records or his birth certificate. Church Records: Steven Kevin Jensen; Birth Certificate: Steven Jensen. Parents forgot the middle name; this was only discovered when he was applying to take the bar in Texas.

How long have you been together? 5 years

How long did you date? 6 months and engaged for 6 months- Steve didn't love the 6 month engagement and when I asked my mom if we could get married sooner, I kind of threw him in the fire and said Steve wants to get married sooner (eventhough I did too)...Well, we didn't get married sooner and I apologized to him for throwing him in the fire to my mom...yikes..

How old is he? 26

Who eats more? umm Steve..although he doesn't really eat that much either unless it's Pizza.

Who said I love you first? He did

Who is taller? Anyone reading this should know who is taller

Who is a better singer? def Steve..my maiden name is Bird. We did not sing growing up. Car rides we had to listen to talks on tape. My dad would pull the whole CD player face off because he didn't know how to turn it off. Now he listens to some Motab but that's about it. Steve introduced me to actually listening to music. When I was doing aerobics stuff, he would sit there for hours and find the stupid 8 count and he would even cue the aerobics stuff....I think if he taught he would be a heck of an instructor and lots of teenage girls would go to his class! haha...he's probably going to kill me...just showing his sensitive side!

Who is smarter? The blogging correct thing is to say we're smart in different ways. Which is true, but in the book smart sense; probably me. I cared about school entirely too much for my own good.

Who does the laundry? Both

Who pays the bills? Me..Steve set Quickbooks up, but I maintain it. He looks it over every couple weeks to see how we're doing.

Who sleeps on the right side? Who cares?

Who mows the lawn? Both. Usually him, but I'm not afraid to mow if it means we can have a better Saturday.

Who cooks dinner? He used to, but now I'm doing my wifey duties and stepping in. Although he still does help a ton in there...making sure I'm following the recipe because I usually just do my own thing; which drives him nuts. After adding red peppers to the lasagna (not in the recipe) and discovering how much flavor it adds, he is finally starting to trust me..I also can't cook meat because I never think it's done enough. I cook mostly now unless it's pancakes, waffles, tortillas, lasagna, protein shakes, on the grill, cookies, some recipe from a restaurant he found, or mac and cheese (i don't measure and that bothers him).

Who drives? Def him. I think he could be half dead and still insist that he drives. He says I can't drive; but I can and if I can't it's only because he has handicapped me. When we were dating, he would drive me around so I could run my errands so I didn't drive the whole time we were dating and when we were first married. We drove across country, 36 hours and I drove 3 and I woke him up because I didn't know where to go. Usually how our driving goes, I'll drive, but end up waking him up because I didn't know where to go. So he would rather just drive.

Who is more stubborn? Neither really. I don't think this is a prob for us.

Who proposed? This q should be deleted.

Who has more friends? Same, but I have never heard anyone ever say they don't like Steve. I think it's impossible not to like him...Everyone always loves him.

Who is more sensitive? Same again. I'm really just not that sensitive. Only time I cry is when my teacher or boss said I did something wrong. Yes I cry over grades or my stupid tax workpapers when I do them wrong. Or if I want to make Steve feel bad. (yikes, I just told him my secret). On the other hand, I think Steve is more sensitive than most guys. He'll handle our girls emotions perfectly! I think it's all the bubble baths he takes!

Who has more siblings? Me. When I told him how many kids were in my family, he told me it was ridiculous. I have 7 brothers and 3 sisters. He has 1 sis and 2 brothers.

Who wears the pants? Depends what it is..maybe each have 1 leg in a nice pair of AG or Citizens of humanity jeans...

Steve probably hates these kind of things, but maybe he'll do a post soon so this gets pushed down! I also propose some funnier q's...So many of these are so obvious. I mean come on, who
proposed? To make up for my sensitivity answer above, I will add this nice "manly" picture of him golfing at our "Bird Family Golf Tournament." That day alone deserves a post.....

D.C. & Home Prices

2008-06-20T06:47:00.001-07:00

(Post by Marissa) I told Steve he needs to pick up his game in the blogging world, to which he replied, I have nothing to blog about. I replied with saying he should blog about how amazing I am, then he said that may be boring for people. After which he said he was going to blog about some supreme court something..see I can't even remember. Trust me though, readers you are probably lucky I convinced him not to! j/k Steve I love the Supreme Court..I think that is what you were going to blog about right? Anyways, the home prices in D.C. have dropped. My apologies to anyone that lives there. However, this is great news for me because the cost of living can't be used against me when I argue to live there. I mean just look at this city. I love this city. Gorgeous temple, great scenery, exposure to plenty of culture, great schools, 3 hours from NJ fun, biking trails galore, preppiness (i made this word up) abounds, excellent shopping, beaches close by, and plenty of welcome visitors will surely come! Colette, we will not live or actually work in D.C.; but a suburb! Don't worry! So home prices, keep dropping in D.C. and I"ll see you in a couple of years!

Flowers

2008-06-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Remember those flowers that were blossoming on the tree...well flowers and 50 mile an hour winds don't go well together. A lot of them blew off or are wilted looking today. Where does this wind come from in Lubbock? It's so annoying. I wish I had before and after pics as evidence...

Update

2008-06-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I'm well aware of a need for an update. I should have things to blog about since I have been to Dallas twice these past 3 weeks. Thank you Ben and Wendy for letting us stay with you and for the kids for letting us play with you! I had a great time! However, Steve usually takes the pics and has been slacking recently in that department. Steve is in Dallas right now clerking for a judge and is getting some pretty good experience. He has written a disent (sp?) and majority opinion and is working on something else I have no clue about right now as well. As for me, I am just working and taking care of the house and yard. My geraniums are doing well and have a second round of blossoms on them and our little tree in the flowerbed has white flowers blossoming. Those Saturdays doing yard work are paying off! I am actually mowing the lawn today since I didn't get to mow in on Saturday. Oh yeah, before he left Steve mowed the lawn and tried to edge, but the edger wouldn't start. So, I take it to a place by our house and it starts on the guy's first pull. I'm not trying to say my husband is weak or anything, but should I be worried about his handyman skills???

Also, flying is not what is used to be.. I was stuck in the Dallas Love Airport for 2.5 hours on Sunday night. I didn't get home until 1:30 am. And there is nothing in that airport besides a McDonalds and Chili's. No shopping or anything so I couldn't even occupy myself by walking around.

One thing I am excited about is my work just gave us free gym memberships to a new gym directly behind our office. It just opened this week..so no more having to go to Tech to workout after work! It will save me like 20 minutes. to 30 minutes in driving..woohooo! My sisters come in this week to keep me company.

Lastly, if you want anything more exciting, tell Steve. He has been MIA and I can't blog for 2 any longer!

Woohoo Accounting!

2008-05-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) This is dedicated to all of my accounting friends! Accounting was the number 3 occupation for 2008 Graduates!

Go Accounting! I love GAAP and the I.R.C!

Would you put your child in an all Boy/Girl Class?

2008-05-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I would! They are piloting some of these types of PUBLIC schools from Alabama to Wisconsin. The school itself is not an all boy or girl school, but the classes are (if you choose). They still have classes with both genders, but you can choose to place your child in a single gender classroom. Read article here http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/magazine/02sex3-t.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

They have some in Dallas so if we move to Dallas, I will def look into it. I like how the overall school has both genders, but then their classrooms are split. Leave it to the ACLU to say that boys are girls aren't different. I mean the results are showing that both sexes are doing better and happier, but the ACLU doesn't care about those stats. Case and point, they are not really about actually helping people.

So now another book to my list is "Boys and Girls Learn Differently." I have read other articles about this, but have not read the book.

Mother's Day Idea for Primary

2008-05-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Okay, this will be my last one for today. Some of you may teach primary and need a simple idea for Mother's Day. I know some primaries take care of it in Sharing time, but since we are in Nursery, Steve and I are on our own for something for the mothers. In my search for something, I found this little poem.

Mommy,If all these kisses aren't enough,
There's two hands to help with garden stuff.
If all these hugs don't work their charm,
There's two arms to help keep you warm.
If this gift doesn't show how much I care,
I have REAL hugs & kisses to share!

I printed it on light pink paper and then I am going to glue it to a little bit darker pink paper. Then I will let them put stickers and color on it for their moms. Of course, I have little hershey kisses and hugs in a bag with a ribbon around it. It is really simple and I think it's great for the younger age children who cannot write and such! So, if your child is in our nursery class and you read this before Sunday, sorry..no surprise for you (act surprised for the sake of your little child though:). If you have any other Mother's Day ideas for nusery and primary age children, please share!

Books

2008-05-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Okay, so I will admit it, I love a good New York high fashion, crazy lifestyle book or one about shopping. However, recently I have found myself being drawn to a lot of really "good" books. I usally keep a balance between my "fun" books and books to make me a better, smarter, more educated, etc person. Right now, both of the books I am reading are recommendations from Steve. Rich Dad, Poor Dad and University of Success. I am loving both of them. Steve has probably told you about University of Success at some point in his coversations with you because he loves it. It was a life changer for him. My life changer was, "Leadership and Self Deception." Steve has been bugging me to read University of Success for 2 years..yeah I know I probably should have read it sooner :).

Next on my list is Emotional Intelligence (read it once in 7th grade due to bribery from my dad, which I will also do for my children), but he recently sent it to me so I'm going to read it again.

Then "Fire of the Covenant." Another recommended read from Steve. It talks a lot about my ancestors who crossed the plains, so I probably should read it.

Then the new one by Sophie Kinsella (author of Shopoholic Series), which is a recommend from my oh so chic sister, Alisha (As a sidenote about Alisha, she started wearing this color of nailpolish and then the next issue of Vogue had an article about it! However, she is going to be an accounting major like me and I am so excited to discuss numbers with her). I need to throw a fun one in there somewhere right?

Well, happy reading everyone! Don't worry Steve is reading "What to Expect When Expecting" for us (no I'm not pregnant).

Love this Movie

2008-05-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Tuesday around 5 pm Steve calls and says what are you doing. Obviously, I'm at work. He's says, well I just finished my exam and I'm picking you up and we're going out! This was so nice because I have been quite the neglected wife recently since he was leaving at 5 am and getting home at 7:30, but even when he came home he was thinking about his school work. Well, this movie was so funny! I loved it and the one liners! If you are in the mood for a good chuckle, I recommend it:)

Congrats!

2008-05-08T14:13:00.001-07:00

(Post by Marissa) Congrats to Steve! He officially finished his first year of law school today. He has to do a write on for Law Review, but at least he won't have to go to the library on Saturday. We haven't had a full day together on a Saturday in quite a while. Our plans include 1) bike riding, 2) sitting by the pool 3) tennis 4) some nursery stuff. Actually, he has to go to a 4 hour class on Saturday to get credit for his internship so we really won't have the whole day together and I'll be in Slaton doing a 6 mile race (which he thought he could attend, but can't because of the 4 hour class Sat morning). In any event, he worked his little booty off so I tip my hat to him and all the other 1L's! And he has kept his oh so amazing physique through it all. 26 and still looking good :)

Steve takes Pre-Natals

2008-05-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Okay, so the title isn't entirely accurate, but I'm just doing what the news reporters do! Upon Steve's request from reading various articles, I started taking pre-natal vitamins despite the fact I am not pregnant. The first time I took them they made me a little sick because I had not eaten much of a breakfast. My vitamins sit on the counter next to Steve's daily vitamin and Echinacea. After telling him that I had felt a little sick again from my pre-natal vitamin, he says, "I think I took that this morning, because I felt a little nauseous and had to eat something pretty quick." So yes, Steve took a pre-natal and had the lovely opportunity to feel nauseous. So now Steve has experienced what some women experience from the pre-natals! If only they could experience the whole shabang, things may be a little different :) He has been very sensitive recently too...j/k!

Utah Trip..Well Just the Shower

2008-04-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I went to Utah a few weeks ago for my sister’s bridal shower at Thanksgiving Point. I had a great “quick” trip. We managed to get to Nordstroms and Café Rio though in the short time I was there! I had a great time with my sisters, mom, and two brothers. It was great to see so many people that I hadn’t seen in quite a while including my cousins from St. George and ones that are currently living in Jackson Hole.
Steve may return to blogging in about a week and a half. He is in the middle of finals right now! Good Luck Steve!

My Cute Mom talking with her aunt!
Can you believe she had 11 kids? She still runs circles around us!
Me!

J and Friends

Aunt and cousins from St. George

J's Friends

"The Hosts"

J's Roomies

Bird Girls (I was a bird at one point so I count)

Thank You

2008-04-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Thank you to 1/2 day Fridays and sunny Texas weather for a great jog today! Only thing better would be running through central park and shopping on Fifth Ave after a long day :)

A Magazine for Every Home

2008-04-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Now some of you men may see this post and move right on. However, this is really for you guys! I mean why else do we women cook. It is not really for me because I would eat cereal every night for dinner! So for you women who are trying to follow Dr. Laura's advice (see earlier post for Dr. Laura) I highly recommend this little magazine. It is FREE and you can sign up online. It comes to our house every season! Steve has loved every single recipe from this little magic book. They are simple, fresh, and always have a veggie. Steve is not one for veggies, but always eats the veggies that are in these recipes because they are usually mixed in with the main course. You can also access archived magazines online, which I did for several of the recipes I am making this week. All of the recipes call for some type of Kraft item, but who doesnt buy Kraft already! Also, every recipe does not call for some other random ingredient that you have to fly to Tibet to get! A lot of the recipes call for similar items. I think I have used my light Italian dressing for so many of them. So if you are not already signed up for this then sign up here: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/registration/contextualsignuplogin

Steve loves when we get these mags because then we will have some new good meals!

Traveling Drama!

2008-04-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) Of course any title with "drama" in it is going to be a girl's post. One thing our kids will have harder than us is traveling! Remember when flying was fun...a whole meal, at least 2 seats to yourself, never a lost bag..etc! Well, how times have changed. Now you have take off everything on you except the bare essentials and even that now is being removed electronically with the high-tech body scanners. Arrive 2 hours early, sit on the jetway, finally take off, eat your measly 2 pretzels, land, look for your bags..oh they aren't there! Well, so that is an exaggeration, but it certainly is not what it used to be. However, it has not really stopped me any because I seem to be on a plane every few months if not more. And this weekend, I am flying to Utah for my sister's bridal shower. Yes, I know it is the weekend before April 15th, but I was leaving at 7 pm today and coming back on Sunday evening. However, my mom called me yesterday and said you should check your flights because you are on American and they are cancelling a lot. Yes, I did know they were cancelling a lot of flights and have been doing airfare stuff for other trips the last 2 days..why did I never put 2 and 2 together is beyond me. It took my mom literally spelling it out for me before anything clicked! So I learn my flight is cancelled. I call American..sit on hold for 30 minutes, hang up because I have to get back to work. Then after work, I call again. This time it sounds like the phones are off the hook. Then my dad calls and says just buy another ticket on a different airline. So I go and buy another ticket that leaves Saturday and would put me in Utah only a few hours before the shower. Finally, I get a hold of American and they say, "You are on the 7 am flight Saturday morning." I was kind of freaking out because I had just purchased another ticket and the American flight is better than my newly purchased ticket, and the lady on the phone thought that 7 am was not early enough. Immediately, she was like okay okay, lets see...she was even going to pay me my Friday salary, but unfortunately, I am needed at work right now! I was impressed with how she handled everything. So back to the two ticket dilemma. I mean tickets are not refundable. Do I take the American flight and just waste the other flight? Well, I immediately call Southwest (the carrier of the new ticket) and explain my situation..and they just refunded me my money! Great business practice. I was very impressed. Well, short story VERY Long..I am flying to Utah tomorrow (Sat) at 7 am and arrive at noon in Utah. I then fly back on Sunday at 1:15 pm. Yes I am only in Utah for a mere 24 hours, but I am going to make my sisters bridal shower!!

Oh and to make things funny..I keep my cell phone charger at work now since I spend most of my time there so I had to sit in my car with my cell phone hooked to my car charger with my computer as I am searching for other tickets, requesting refunds, calling my mom after every phone call with the various airlines..etc. Also, my sister is sending me pictures of dresses she is considering purchasing for the bridal shower and Steve is instant messaging me asking me what is going on!! It was quite the travel drama for a few hours!

Also, in case you have not heard, you can only check one bag now. A second bag costs $25 each way. So good luck packing! The only person I know who will not have a problem with this is Kevin Jensen, but he would rather drive the 16 hours to visit his favorite children for a day than fly for the aforementioned reasons above.

To those who only like pics.. I will post pics after this weekend in Utah :)

Beach Fever...

2008-04-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

Marissa and I have been busy, and when we get busy we inevitably start talking about where we want to go on vacation. We have a week open in July and were debating about where to go--Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, or even a North/South Carolina beach. For these reasons, I pose a question: Where should we go? It would be helpful to know your favorite vacation spots, keeping in mind that we have a limited budget...

TV & Toddlers

2008-03-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

(post by Marissa) I changed my major one time to Early Childhood Education (1 semester!) and at first chalked it up as a loss of a semester. However, I did learn some really interesting things that in my opinion made the semester worth it. One thing in particular was children's physical and mental development. We studied the children in orphanages in Ukraine and discovered why they did not grow physically despite the fact they were being fed, etc. The main thing was touch..they received no physical contact for days, weeks, months. Therefore, they did not develop physically. BYU has a study abroad program where all the students really do is go to these orphanages and hold the babies and play with the toddlers, which in turn allows them to develop physically.

As for mental development, we learned that nearly all of a child's brain is fully developed by the age of 5. We learned that children should watch no TV at all before the age of 2, and some studies suggest optimal is not before the age of 4. Even if they are learning things, the key at the young age is brain development because if they have a strong brain then they can quickly learn things and will be ahead of kids who maybe learned some things watching TV. The reason is the brain neurons do not connect during TV viewing. The amount of connections you have affects your intelligence (remember intelligence and knowledge are completely different). You have a window of opportunity for the brain neurons to connect. I am not a neuroscience major and so I don't understand everything and can't remember all of the technical terms, but the overall gist was TV stunts a child's overall brain development.

All of this got started from an article I was reading about the link between TV watching in children and ADHD. There are controversies over it, but I really do belive it. I mean it makes sense. Children with ADHD has certianly increased over the years, and I'm sure there is no debate that children's TV watching has as well. I know there could be a lot of lurking variables, but I am a believer. I don't have kids yet so obviously it's difficult to say I will never put my child in front of a TV before 4, but knowing the affects makes it more important to resist the urge.

Childhood Television Watching Correlated to Later Attention Problems

By: Rick Nauert, Ph.D. Senior News Editor
Reviewed by: John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
on September 6, 2007

Watching television more than two hours a day early on in childhood can lead to attention problems later on as a teen, according to a recently published long-term New Zealand study.
“Those who watched more than two hours, and particularly those who watched more than three hours, of television per day during childhood had above-average symptoms of attention problems in adolescence,” Erik Landhuis of the University of Otago reported in a study published in the August 2007 issue of Pediatrics.
The researchers observed a nearly 40% increase in attention problems amongst those who watched television more often than those who watched it less often.
The increase in attention problems was also independent of whether a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder was made prior to adolescence.
“This latest study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests parents should take steps to limit the amount of TV their children watch [early in their lives],” said Bob Hancox, one of the researchers.
The team studied the long-term habits and behaviors of 1,037 children born in Dunedin, New Zealand between April 1972 and March 1973. The children aged 5 to 11 watched an average of 2.05 hours of weekday television. From age 13 to 15, time spent in front of the television rose to an average of 3.1 hours a day.
Young children who watched a lot of television were more likely to continue the habit as they got older, but even if they did not, the damage was done, the study said.
“This suggests that the effects of childhood viewing on attention may be long lasting,” Landhuis notes. He offers several possible explanations for the association.
One is that the rapid scene changes common to many TV programs may overstimulate the developing brain of a young child, and could make reality seem boring by comparison.
“Hence, children who watch a lot of television may become less tolerant of slower-paced and more mundane tasks, such as school work,” he writes.
It is also possible that TV viewing may supplant other activities that promote concentration, such as reading, games, sports and play, he says. The lack of participation inherent in TV watching might also condition children when it comes to other activities.
It’s not clear why this link wasn’t reported sooner, given that the last data collected was in 1988, over 19 years ago.

Another interesting article on brain development: http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4356.htm (Discusses stress level in children and brain development and effects of loving relationships)

It's crazy to me to think how much affects these babies at a young age. When you think it doesn't matter..like when they are babies..it matters the most.

So, most of you mom's probably already know this from some book or magazine, but I am still gaining my knowledge from random articles and my 1 semester of Early Childhood Education and I thought I would share. :)

Jensen/Larson Family Photos

2008-03-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

For Mom's birthday, Marissa and I put together four slideshows with four different songs. We sent her and Dad a DVD copy and posted them here for all to see. Most of the photos came from the family website because we didn't have time to get them from everyone so some of the pictures aren't the best, but we only had so much to work with. Sorry Ben and Wendy, we had the least with you guys, but we did have a good amount with Jared, Rowen, and Reece. Tell us what you think...Enjoy!