Summer Time and a BABY!

The summer has come and gone all too fast, but we did our best to make the most of it.  In June we made a road trip to California.  We went to visit Sequoia and Yosemite National Park.  We had much fun with the hiking, biking, tubing, and sightseeing.  We’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Then in July Gary and Jade made the trip to Colorado for the Christensen Family Reunion.  I was unable to go because of how close the reunion was to my due date.  It was a special time for the Christensen Family with everyone there in one place to celebrate and welcome home their parents from their mission in Georgia.  We sure are proud and thankful for the great example our parents have been in accepting the call to go and serve.  However we are glad they are back.

In July and August we had a few family visitors from out of state.  My sister Jen and her family joined us for a few days.  With our time we went to visit Grandpa Lund’s grave and went to a Real Soccer game.  We had a great time together.  Then a few weeks later my sister Melissa and her family joined us to visit our ASL Ward and then we just enjoyed the afternoon/evening together.  We concluded the evening by having Grandma and Grandpa share with us their testimony. 

In August we had my parents come to Utah for 2 weeks while they received training for their next missionary assignment.  They are the very first called to serve as missionaries to the Air Force Academy Cadets.  They are so thrilled for the opportunity and it is the perfect fit for them.  While they were here in August, we thought for sure we could get our little boy to come out and show his face.  He had other plans.  Jade absorbed all the Grandma and Grandpa time she could get.  Two weeks came and went all too soon, but we knew Grandma Sparrow would be back again when Cedar decided to come out. 

With Grandma and Grandpa Sparrow leaving, we were thrilled to have Grandma Christensen come and spend some time with us.  Grandma Christensen came at the perfect time.  She helped tend and watch Jade while I went to the hospital to be induced.  We feel so grateful that she was able to watch Jade since our stay at the hospital was a little longer than we had hoped for.


So the details of the delivery…  It went something like this.  We thought for sure Cedar would come early because Jade came early, but Cedar decided he wanted to take his time.  As my Aunt said, “Boys just need a little extra time to grow their little spout.”   We tried anything and everything to get my contractions more consistent.  I have been having them off and on, but nothing intense enough to get me to the hospital.  So my doctor said he would induce me on Monday August 20^th because he was concerned about the size of the baby.


Monday comes and the hospital tells us they might not be able to squeeze me in on Monday and that I might have to try again on Wednesday.  However thanks to a good Doctor, he stayed later to make sure he could deliver for us.  We get a call asking telling us if we can get to the hospital in 30 minutes they would induce me.  They broke my water and induced me around 4:30/5 pm.  We decided to go for the natural delivery again.  Near the last 30 minutes I decided I was done and wanted my epidural, I didn’t realize however how close I was to delivering baby Cedar.  Gary was once again the great coach and mentor through the whole process.  I am so glad he was at my side the whole step of the way.  The nurses commented on what a great job he was doing saying that he needed to go help the other dads do a better job.

Happy, in Pain, and Emotional

After about 2 hours of labor Cedar joined us at 7:34 pm on August 20^th weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 inches long.  I’m glad we didn’t wait another day.  He was a big baby.  We had to stay in the hospital an extra day because I tested positive on my strep B test.  We made the most of it and I used up the time to rest as much as I could.  Grandma Christensen had to leave the day we got out of the hospital; however I was fortunate that Gary had the rest of the week off to help me at home.  We look forward to the next time Grandma comes back for a visit with Grandpa Christensen.

Grandma Sparrow came back a week later to help at home.  She cooked, cleaned, did nighttime feedings for Cedar, and helped with Cedar and Jade constantly.  She was a miracle worker with all the wonderful things she did to help me for a week.  We wish she could be here more.  I don’t know who will miss Grandma more, Jade or me.





So now I’m a mama of 2 kids.  It has been an amazing roller coaster of experiences to make the adjustments to being needed in more ways.  I find myself wishing I could be in more than place at a time.  Just when you think you start to understand what love is, you learn your heart still has more room to grow.




One of my friends (a mother of 5 boys, the last 2 were twins) has a signature quote at the end of her emails that I love.  “You think my hands are full, you should see my heart.”  I guess that is the best way for me to describe the feelings of my heart with the joy of bringing Cedar into our family.  My heart is full of love, thanks, and gratitude to be a wife and a mother.

From April to Now

It’s been way too long since I last wrote, but there is so much to be grateful for.  Pregnancy is going along just dandy.  Everyone tells me I’m too small to be in my 3^rd trimester.  I have a little over 2 months left till the baby will be born.  Still handling this pregnancy so much better than the first.  I crave bread, chocolate, and sweets!  Still don’t know what we’re having, but the baby is moving lots.  Jade knows there is a baby in my tummy, but she’s going to be in for a shock when it comes out. 

In April, my parents came for a visit.  We were so glad to have them come.  We told them some things we needed help with.  They were happy to pitch in and help us since there is much I can’t do much with the pregnancy.  My parents helped Gary cut down several trees in the back yard.  It was quite the job!  We rented a chipper to take care of all the branches from the trees.  My dad helped till the garden area and put a wire fence around it to keep the dogs out.  Because they drove their truck from Colorado, we were able to get some sand for Jade.  That has been the best gift Grandma and Grandpa could have given Jade.  She spends so much time playing in the sandbox.  While they were here, Grandma also helped me get stated on some more intense potty training.  My parents helped us so much in the time they were here.  We couldn’t have completed these projects on our own.  We will be forever thankful for their help.  We look forward to the next time they come, but hopefully not so many projects.

Jade is doing well.  Her vocabulary is soaring in words and sign.  When she wants to be held she says, “I want to hold you!”  She can sign her prayers.  She is working hard on the potty training, but the number 2 just seems a little harder for her.

She just celebrated her 2^nd birthday in May.  We had the Jones’ and Aunt Shanna and her girls join us for her birthday party.  She had a great time!  She’s turning into quite the princess.  She loves to dress up, carry purses, and put on mommy’s shoes.  We just got her some sun glasses.  She will wear them as much as she can.  She is our ray of sunshine and we couldn’t be more thankful for her presence in our lives.

Jade Potty Training with Cousin, Caleb

Gary and I have been busy working on some other repairs with the house.  We installed new gutters, had the crumbling foundation resurfaced, repaired the sprinkler system, replaced our washer and dryer, and remolded the downstairs bathroom.   Other than a few minor touch ups here and there, we are done with the major projects for this house.  These are all things we wanted to get done before the baby arrived.

One other little surprise was our decision to get another dog.  His name is Duke.  He’s a mixture of everything, but a small breed.  Duke and Ginger are the best play mates ever.  Ginger has all the smarts, and Duke has all the brawn.   They are about the same age.  Just a few weeks apart. 

We are lovin’ summer time.  We will be going to Yosemite National Park in June.  We are hoping by some miracle my doctor will allow me to go to the Christensen Family Reunion in July.  If not, I’ll be going to Colorado in September.  Life is good here, and we welcome visitors to come stay with us as long as you’re ok with dogs and a toddler schedule.  J

Our visit to the Utah Copper Mine

Jade at Daddy's Work

Bittersweet Moments

Junior trying out his tux before our wedding.

Let’s start with the hardest news first and save the happy news for last.  We had to say good bye to Junior yesterday night.  He started showing some symptoms on Thursday.  Got him into a doctor and returned home to try some meds.  Friday we went back again to go get some test done because he wasn't doing well.  Then Saturday the doctor called us with the results that Junior was suffering from kidney failure.  We went as a family and put him to rest yesterday afternoon around 4 p.m.  Our vet let us stay in the room with Junior while he passed.  I held his head in my hands and looked deeply into his eyes as he took his last few breaths.  Gary and Jade stood close by together.  Jade started crying when the needle went in Junior, well we all did.  We stayed in the room a little while after to have some closure the best we could.   We all gave him one last kiss.  We thought Junior had many more years left in him.  He was only 5, but he had the biggest heart. When we were about to leave Junior, we told Jade to say “Goodbye Junior,” and the rest of the evening Jade kept saying “Goodbye Junior.”  It always brought tears in our eyes.

Who could ask for a better friend!

Last night Gary and I chatted about some of our most fond memories of Junior.  I remember when I got him as a puppy.  He was my little snuggle buddy always ready to give some love.  I’ll never forget the first time Junior met Jade.  They had so much fun together and made a great team.  He accomplished much in his short little life with his efforts to become our hearing dog.  We loved watching Junior and Ginger play together.  They would often play tag and wrestle each other.  It was like they were meant to be buddies. 

Junior always liked to snuggle under blankets.
Ginger is sleeping on top of Junior.  

It’s been interesting to note God’s tender mercies through this experience of the passing of Junior.  When we got Ginger we had no idea Junior would leave us only a month later.  Junior did lots to help Ginger know what was expected as we have worked on training her.  They were so good together.  Another thing I have found interesting is how Ginger’s and Junior’s names sound almost identical.  When we were choosing a name for her we created a list of names we liked and called them out to her to see which one she responded to.  Chance that she chose Ginger, I don’t think so.  Ginger will never fully replace Junior, but she will help fill the void in our hearts.  I am grateful we don’t have to look at an empty crate.  I am thankful we can still remember Junior as we use his belongings with Ginger.  “God gave us memories that we might have June roses in the December of our lives.” (James Barrie) 

Gary wrote this poem today for me through my eyes.  

Thank you Gary for preserving such a tender precious memory for us.  I love you!

Before us a shining silver table is placed

There Junior shall obtain his mercy

My eyes water, the table sparkles

His head I lay on a table so cold

His head in my hand I hold

His eyes, my eyes meet

Tears that he cannot shed

I gladly shed for him and I

Junior’s eyes then looks beyond my own

His pain is no more

Knowing he is no more there

Our years of memories together

Become whispers in my memory be

Though time fades, and years forgotten

Yet a faint memory of Junior will never leave me

As many of you know by now I am pregnant.  It has been an interesting experience for us as we have arrived to this moment.  Many of you might remember Elder Anderson’s talk from General Conference in October of 2011.  He spoke on the importance of families and bringing children into this world.  After he spoke, Gary asked me how I felt.  We both had a feeling of guilt, and a determination to show more faith.  We had been putting off pregnancy because of fear as to how my body would handle the next pregnancy and want to face it during when time is better when both of our work is more flexible.

The first pregnancy of Jade was not a pretty one.  I lost one tooth.  I spent many hours in the bathroom.  I couldn’t eat much, and lost weight .  We had to make several trips to the E.R.  It was a hard and depressing time for me.  To be honest, it has to be one of the most depressing times in my life.  Junior would do his best to comfort me during the day then Gary would come home to help me.  Gary and I just were not sure we were ready to experience that all over again.

So we prayed, and found the faith to press forward to try to have another child.  A few months passed.  Still not pregnant.  Around December, Gary’s work was collecting numbers to put on our annual cafeteria plan that we could use toward medical bills.  With the window closing in a week we didn’t have much time.  We debated much on how much to put in.  In the end we came to the conclusion that we just needed to have faith.  We decided that we would put in a few thousand to cover medical expenses for the baby we hoped to have.  That meant we had until March to get pregnant or we would need to become really creative on how to use all that extra money.

On Christmas Eve we took the test and found out I was pregnant.  It was a great gift to our little family that day as we reflected on the Savior; the giver of life eternal.  We waited several weeks until we were able to meet with an OBGYN to confirm that I was indeed pregnant to tell family and friends.  We are so thrilled for this little one to join us. 

This pregnancy has been an amazing experience.  I have not experienced the hardships like I did in my first.  I did struggle with my energy, and feeling of morning sickness all the time.  But what I experienced this time around seemed so minor to what I experienced the first time around.  I’m now past my first trimester.  We’re going in to get the ultrasound at the end of this month.  If you were wondering if we’re going to find out the gender of the baby; the answer is no and yes.  Gary would like a surprise, and I would like to know.  So the compromise is that I get to know the gender on my birthday in July.  That will be about one month before our second little one comes to join us. 

Christmas Morning

Well it was our first Christmas in our new home.  We really enjoyed staying home for Christmas.  The past 3 years Gary and I have been traveling home for Christmas, so this was a new first experience for us to make our own Christmas.  Gary and I decided that this year we wouldn't buy each other a gift.  We had to make a gift.  So Gary made a me an apron which I have wanted for some time.  I made my first ever robe for Gary.  It was a lot of work with much coaching from Gary who is much more skilled than myself at sewing.  However he never sewed a stitch, just guided me along in the process.  I finished the robe on Christmas morning at 12:30 am.

So Christmas morning was such a thrill with Jade.  We'll let the video show the joy!

We also had Jade's stocking filled with special treats: bouncy ball, mirror, muffin mix, popcorn, and fruit.  Who needs candy when you have these great snacks.  Jade had a hard time deciding which gift to hold on to. At one point she had her toy cell phone from the kitchenette in one hand, a bag of popcorn in the other, and then the tummy pushed her stroller.  After we got back home from church, we had a tea party with Jade's new tea set and table.  

One little side note, the day after Christmas we were fortunate enough to drop of Jade with Uncle Will and Aunt Ashlee while we celebrated our 3 year anniversary in Eden, Utah.  For a one night stay...we got in a lot to celebrate.  We sent cross-county skiing, played racquetball (I got hit in the ear, but had no hearing to lose. Just a hearing aid), took a brisk cold wagon ride to see the elk, and out door hot-tubbing.