Staying Informed...

I hate the feeling of ignorance. There are so many issues and debates going on in our country that I feel I know far to little about. Last year, I had the opportunity to do some campaigning for Jason Chaffetz, the man who replaced Chris Cannon as Utah's Representative. Last week, Jason spoke at a Town Hall meeting. I invited my roommate to attend with me. It was an open question/comment session open to the public. Aside from the few heated moments (which were actually hilarious) ...I loved being there.

I love learning new things about what is going on in our country and doing my part to be informed. Cherise and I created a list of things to look up and research as topics were discussed at the meeting that we had little background information on. I hope I have more opportunities in the near future to educate myself on more important current affairs, so I can voice an opinion with the confidence that I know what I am talking about.

I hope you all do the same! It is our job to make sure we keep informed! :)

Best Friends Wedding

Wow. In another four months, Kristy and I would have been roommates for 5 years. Who would have thought? It was just happen stance that we moved in with one another in the first place, but we became great friends and have stuck together every since. It is really odd not having her around and I miss her terribly, but I couldn't be any happier for her. Here are some photos of the great day!

Every year Kristy and I lived together, we lived with two different girls. Here are three of our roommates, from three different years that we lived together.


Kristy and Ryan


Kristy and I at her reception


I have become very close to Kristy's family over the years. This is with her mom "Pearl", and her sisters Alisha and Lindsey


It rained the morning of her wedding, but we thought the umbrellas added character to the photos


After my first week back at work, having tons of company and graduating, I was a little bit tired at the wedding festivities. I feel asleep at the wedding luncheon. It's a wonder I didn't fall over, but everyone got quite a kick out of it!

"Master Jensen" Part 2

So I am now officially Master Jensen. I defended my thesis back in June, but I am now official on BYU's records as having a Master's Degree. I thought this day would never come... literally. There were times I didn't think I'd make it through, but that small little fact made graduation day even more sweet. Both of my parents came, as did three of my siblings and their families. It was a big deal for me to have family there and I am so grateful I was able to have so many loved ones there to celebrate with me.

It was especially special to have my sister there. She drove down with three kids, one of which is only 4 weeks old.


One of the professors from the Education Department


After commencement, I went to a dinner at the Hinckley Center with three other girls who graduated from my cohort.


My friend Clay also graduated. We ran into each other as we were lining up to enter the Marriott Center.


Mom got the flower lei's for me


The girls loved wearing them!


I'm so grateful for all of those who have supported me the last three years in my pursuits to get a higher education. I couldn't have done it on my own.

The Church around the World

I got to attend church while I was in Costa Rica. The meetings were in Spanish and I understood very little, but the spirit still touched me. It reminded me of my trip to Israel and Egypt last year when I got to go to a little ward in Cairo that only had about 15 people there total, including the bishopric. This experience reiterated to me that the church is true no matter where you are in the world and I am so grateful for my membership in it. I love the gospel!

The World 's Second Greatest Calling

Okay, so we all know that the greatest calling in the world is that of parent. However, the second best calling is... AUNT! I may not have kids of my own at this particular time of my life, but I am lucky enough to be "Aunt Jessie" to twenty. While my sister Jody was here in town, her girls wanted to have a "girls" sleepover at my house. I was more than happy to oblige. There were only 6 of my 12 nieces in town, but we had a blast!

First off, two of my nephews joined us for a movie. We went to see Night at the Museum...

Followed by some pizza and games in my backyard...

A few hand games and sleepover fun!!




I love being an aunt.