Back to Where the Trees are Green and the Air is Clean

I don't get to see my family very often these days. Especially since one sister lives in NYC, a brother is in Germany, another brother in AZ, and the rest of my siblings and my parents are in various cities in Oregon. So it was great to be able to spend time with my family in May.

Allie, my mom, and I had breakfast at Busick Court. Haven't heard of Busicks? Well, if you are ever in Salem, Oregon, you HAVE to go. Hey, Rachel Ray did.

The fam bam, minus Chris, Kyle, and Adam.

My CUTE parents. They are  my best friends. Man, I love them!

I'm a Daddy's Girl.

I love my dad. He's been my biggest support, cheerleader, and adviser. He taught me how to ride a bike, took me camping every summer, and helped me apply for college. So this Father's Day, I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for him. He's really is the World's Best Dad. 

I love you Dad!

We Love You All

Yup. Every. Single. One.

Photos by Alyssa Jule Photography

We Are Family

Me, my Brothers . . .

my Sisters and me!

We are family . . .

And together . . .

for eternity we'll be!

(OK, So I did some tweaking to the song. It's my blog, I'm allowed.)

All Photos by Alyssa Jul Photograpy

Dear Flager Family,

Thank you for welcoming me into your family with open arms. I must say, my in-laws are pretty amazing.

Julie, Dad, Meg, Joe, Mom, and Aaron

Yay for new sisters!

All Photos by Alyssa Jul Photography

Fast Car

I've been missing my dad a lot today. I'm so grateful to have a good relationship with my father. He's one of my best friends and has been one of my greatest supports in life. This song reminds me of him. He would listen to it a lot when we were kids. I don't know why. I guess he likes Tracy Chapman's voice (I thought she was a man for the longest time). It's actually a really sad song when you listen to the words. I really grateful for a father who took care of our family and made sure I didn't have to live the life that Tracy Chapman sings about.

My Dad is 5-0!!

My Dad turned 50 May 23rd and we had a party for him with family and friends the day after Allie's wedding.I put togeher this little slideshow of his life. You can really tell where Adam & Kyle get their looks! I'm posting it here for friends and family. There are some funny pictures of us kids too.

I love you Daddy! You have always been my hero! Happy Birthday!

My Dad Works Very Hard

I came into work one morning last week to find this:

The Update.

A lot has been going on lately and I haven't been as good as I want to in posting. So, I'm just going to post it all at once here.

In late July my family and I made a trip down to Sacramento to be with the Jensen side of the family. It stated out with a 5K run to support the Alzheimer's Association. Most everyone came and it was A LOT of fun. The kids races were adorable. Unfortunately my camera died right before so I couldn't take any pictures. I ran and had a pretty good time, and am excited to run more races in the future.

The next day we had a surprise 50th birthday party for my Mom. It was at my aunt Rachelle's house in Lincoln, CA. It was a lot of work, but I think it went well. Because of the run and the DeLucia family reunion that weekend, a lot of people were able to come. What was really neat was that three of my Mom's friends from high school came. She hasn't seen some of them for years. The coolest thing was that they had all joined the church during/after high school. As I was talking to some of them, I came to realize what an influence for good my mother has been in so many people's lives. Because of her quite, humble, daily diligence in following Christ, she has helped so many other come to see the goodness of His eternal plan and mercy. I am truly grateful to have such a wonderful Mother.

Aunt Caryn, Scott, Grandpa Jensen, and Uncle Tom all wait for the birthday girl to arrive.

Surprise! Marcia arrives at her 50th Birthday party. Uncle Kent and Aunt Marian look on.
Mom, and her high school friends, Kimmy and Dawn.Abby, Lindsay, Micheal, and Vicki Stevens enjoy the party.
Mom and her high school buds blow out 50 candles together.
My cute princess cousins Joelle and Sofia.
Max, the cutest redhead!

I snatch some pics of the men of my family on our road trip home from California. Kyle, Dad, and Adam.

Lindsay Wooley and I at Katie Farr's 20th Birthday bash. I love this girl. She is so sweet!

A beautiful Oregon sunset!

The Girls, Elle, Lindsay, me, & Dianna.

Sarah, Spalding and I after we went and saw Mama Mia. Such a good flick. I wanted to leave that theatre dancing!

This last weekend I went and saw Nathan perform the lead role of his drama group play called, "The Princess Test." He was the prince and did a fantastic job! The play was just so adorable with all the kids ages 8-11 putting on the production in a local family's backyard. For only having 4 days to prepare, it was amazing and Nathan remembered all of his lines! Go Nathan!

Graduation

So, the big day finally arrived, and BYU kicked me out. Of course they did it in the nicest way possible, and I deserved it. I'd worked to get myself there. But no matter how close the light at the end of the tunnel comes, it still hurts a bit as your eyes adjust to the brightness that surrounds you. I think that's why it has taken me so long to write about it here. It's taken me a week or so to get used to the idea that I am no longer a student, and until now, I haven't really wanted to talk about it. But, I think I am coping well now, so here we go.

Graduating from BYU marks the end or an era in my life. The era began when I was about five years old when my mother began teaching me the BYU Fight Song. Ever since, blue and white pride has been in my blood and I knew it was my destiny to be a cougar.

When I came here at 18, it marked a big transition in my life. I not only learned the subject material of my classes, but also learned a lot about myself and what I wanted to become. And now, seven year later (yes, count them, seven), I've realized that what I saw as a central part of my life was just a stepping stone to the bigger journey.

Sitting the the Marriott Center in my cap and gown with my family watching on was surreal. I had finally accomplished the goal that I had set more than a decade before--I was a college graduate. It's hard leaving all you've ever known. I've been a student practically all my life. In fact my earliest memory is my mom walking me to preschool in Arizona when I was three. But having my family there, being with Cecily as we walked across the stage, and hearing my Dad say he was proud of me gave me the closure I needed. Don't get me wrong, I love being a student and plan to be one again soon (please let me get into law school!), but now I am a college graduate, a cool but weird new addition to my identity. I don't know if this has made any sense, but if is sounds a bit nonsensical it's because I've experienced a tornado of emotions and haven't quite figured how to sort it all out yet.