Friendship is a Blessing

Kyle, Allie, Troy, Joe, Meg. Jason, Brittani, Aaron, Valorie, Tyler, and Cecily

The Fellas.

The Lovely Ladies.

We are so very very blessed.

All Photos by Alyssa Jul Photography

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

Lion of the Lord

Today was a great, bitter sweet day. I took my little brother Kyle to the Missionary Training Center where he will learn the Spanish language so he can serve the Spanish speaking people of the Phoenix, Arizona area for the next two years.

Of course, his mission would start in Kyle style. Spending his last night in with some friends, he lost his wallet. We spent all morning before he entered the MTC at BYU's various Lost and Founds. It was no where to be found! So, an hour before he was to head in, he called his bank to get a new debit card and the DMV to get a new drivers license sent to him. Hakkuna Matata was what he kept saying. No worries, all would work out . . . and they did. We took him to the MTC, snapped a couple pictures for Mom, and dropped him off at the curb with the other missionaries. They do it differently than they used to. Instead of going in with the missionaries, they just have you drop them off at the curb where two Elders are waiting to welcome the new missionary and help him with bags. So, we dropped him off and wished him God speed. Man, I am going to miss him!

Oh, and two hours later, I got a phone call. Someone had turned in his wallet. (sigh) I went an picked it up and dropped it off at the MTC for him. The debit card won't do him much good, but at least he won't have to buy a new wallet or get a new temple recommend.

I am really proud of Kyle. He is has a strong testimony and a desire to serve the Lord. He will be such a blessing to all the people he serves!

Gradumicated!

Adam and Kyle are OFFICIALLY DONE with highschool! I am so proud of them. Kyle will be heading to BYU Hawaii and Adam will attend BYU Idaho in the fall. Congratuations boys!

Picture Tag

For my parents 25th Anniversary we went on a Caribbean cruise. It was fabulous and certainly one of the best family vacations we have ever had. This pic of from our visit to the Chacchoben Mayan ruins in Mexico. This was just one of the smaller temples, but still oh so cool. And as you can see, it was warm and beautiful weather, even in February!

I tag anyone who read my blog and wants to share!

Rules: Go to your picture folder - go into your 4th folder - grab your 4th file and post it with an explanation. Have fun!

My Own Soccer Star

Kyle has been playing soccer for almost as long as I can remember. Although he started with some of my other siblings, he has been the one to stick it out, playing for numerous rec teams, as well as for his high school. He is now a senior at Sprague High School, playing on his varsity team and one of the student captains. I was able to go to one of his games a few weeks ago and was really impressed, not only with his skill, but with his dedication to his team, his coach, and to the sport. Although the game may not have turned out as he would have wanted, I was so proud of him. Not only could he perform when his team needed him too, but he was super supportive to all the other players. I think those years of soccer not only taught him how to score a goal, but also how to lead a group, how to work well with others, and how to work hard for what you want. He’s definitely a soccer star! I was able to snap a few photos from the game. Although they are a bit fuzzy, you get the idea. He's #11.

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.