Our Christmas Gift to You

This year has been both joyous and, let's say, interesting. It started innocently enough, but we encountered snags that had us stopping and counting our blessings.

Stephanie is now a junior in high school where she is doing really well. She is also a licensed driver, which has turned out to be a huge blessing for me. In February she went with Steve to a Dr Who convention in Los Angeles and came home with joy and excitement of her experiences there with her dad. I really love listening to her serenade us on the piano.

Scott is truly a teenager now. He somehow manages to escape upstairs every chance he gets. He is in 8th grade and loves playing the baritone in band and the piano in jazz band. We are pleased that he was selected to participate in the county Honor Band. There were 5 students selected from his school and they have to practice their music over the Christmas break and their concert will be in January. In September he earned his Life badge in Boy Scouts. He has set a goal to get his Eagle project done this summer.

Steve has been working hard to provide for us, planning our big 'Holiday', doing the weekly shopping, and being the best husband I could ask for! He continues to work 'at' Microsoft as a contract worker and enjoys the top secret work he does. Between getting our passports, booking travel arrangements, securing tickets for the events in London, he was on top of it.

It seems like I have spent much of my year in my recliner. The tendons in my right foot first tore, they were repaired in October 2012. Then just when we thought I was 'healed', they ruptured. The second surgery my doctor did another repair, which included hardware to hold things together. After each surgery the time to be non-weight bearing increases...I consider myself a bit of a pro getting around on a knee scooter. My lovely tendons in my right foot just didn't like me, so they stopped working. Hence the need for the 3rd surgery, which took place 2 weeks ago. This time he fused bones together which should allow me to walk normally.

So what does a person do when they are tied to a chair? Read lots of books, knit, play games on my Surface, and watch the seasons change through the Windows.

As a family we went on our fabulous European Holiday in November, so my Christmas shopping was done online or through family and friends. Please see my blog at sweetrt.blogspot.com for our vacation photos and stories.

I need to publicly thank Amber Dyer for taking these wonderful photos. We went out on a cold autumn day after school and she captured us perfectly. Thank you Amber!

Jensen news

Wow! There have been lots of changes this year!

In May we finally finished the remodel of our home. The livingroom/dining room is now Sharon's studio. The pantry is now the shower of the bathroom, formerly known as the powder room. The bonus room upstairs has been divided into a room for Scott and the gameroom. And since we no longer have a pantry, we added cabinets in the dining room to take it's place. Sharon now has her own "store" in the Studio filled with paper, yarn and fabric. There are also French doors that greet you when you come in the front door, so it doens't seem closed off.

Our home now also sports a new member...Isabel. She is a 5 year old cat that we got from the Humane Society last week. She has adopted Steve as her best friend! It's fun to see her laying on top of the blankets that he is under on the couch.

This year we have also had to learn new things for Steve's diabetes. Calling the EMT's to come and help get his sugar back to normal levels has been educating. Getting older means changes had to be made. Things are fine now...but we really watch things closer now.

We are also currently unemployed and looking for work. Both of us. My time as a "stay-at-home Mom" is coming to an end, but keeping the family in this home is very important to us. It is also why our "newsletter" is being sent in this format instead of being mailed out. All available money needs to be saved for the mortgage and such. And no, we are not part of that subprime mess, we just have a normal mortgage and want to keep it that way. :)

Christmas this we year we have focused on our Savior and during Family Home Evenings, held every Monday Night, we have discussed this. We have simplified many things. Most of the gifts have been homemade...or baked. The children for the first time have to spend their own money on gifts, or make them.

So this year, please know that we really love our friends and family...and we truly wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!