So we write Robin weekly...

My mom has started asking Elyse what she wants to tell Robin, and kinda encourages her as she goes.  Today it went like this:

Mom:  "Elyse what do you want to tell Robin?"
       She rambled off something about school (pre)  and her Best friend Ella and friends Troy and Alex and Arianna and Ethan.
Mom then asks Elyse an open ended question, "What about Melanie, Melanie loves you and...?"
"And puts me into TIME OUT!"

Thanks Elyse.  Thanks.

My Family is Selling Me

So, today, as I was doing my hair in the bathroom I hear Rulon coming up the stairs.  He says "I'll just stay home and be a house Husband"

Confused cuz I obviously came in at the wrong part of the Convo, I said "Huh"

Noticing me Rulon quickly says "We'll put Melanie to work."

Being funny I say "I don't wanna work."

"We can sell Melanie!" Rulon responds (with out missing a beat).  "She's a redhead, she go for a good rate" ...or something along the lines of price...which should be comforting right?  They think I'm worth something yeah?

By the time I come home from institute many hours later-the situation drastically changed.  Rulon coming down the stair see's me, and the first thing out of his mouth is "I thought we were selling her."

Thanks.  Love you too.  Then they said that someone on facebook *coughcoughCarloscoughcough* said they'd buy me for a dollar.  My family thank goodness is kind enough to hold out for $4.50 though the asking price is $5.00.  Mhmmm.  And to Top it off Rulon got Elyse to agree to the sale.  When the three year old says sell her-you know something is wrong.

They make me laugh.

So I don't forget

Robin:  "Did you eat my Ben and Jerry's and then put cookie dough in it?"

hahahaha....yes Robin, yes I did.  :P

Story:  Before Robin went on a mission she met a boy and they liked eachother and they kissed, and the Rule at our house is if you kiss a boy you've never kissed before you owe the rest of us Ice cream, so what did Robin bring home?  Sugar Free cookie Dough Ice cream.  CHEAP!  And she had herself a nice ben and jerry's apple pie flavored pint.  Oh, I ate the apple pie ice cream, and then left her the gross sugar free stuff.  When she went into the freezer to eat the gourmet goodness, and found the icky, she sent me that text.  I'm about to clean out my text inbox, and I just don't ever want to forget that ice cream story.....it was hilarious.  And before you judge me, it was Rulons idea.  :P   neener neener!

Long hard good day!

I must be honest, I feel guilty sitting to do this, but if I don't write it down I'm gonna forget.  Today was tough, but oh so enriching.

I started by going to the house of a special person in my life.  She has some health problems and I go up to visit her weekly, take her to appointments and just try to make her day a little brighter-I must admit its tough.  And her house is a mess-but when you give of yourself for someone else, you get so much more in return.  I can't go into detail because of respect of privacy, but this is sufficient.

Anyways, then I went visiting teaching.  I was already exhausted, but I enjoy the company of my RS sisters so much-that quote Krystal Duval always throws at us about whenever two or more women are joined together there will be fun-idk I might have just butchered it, but today it took new meaning.  Its just SO fufilling to think about them for a little while.  I wasn't worried about my problems, or what I was going to do afterwards, just sincerely invested in them-at the end I'm still tired but feel so much more blessed than you could ever imagine, not only for my associations with them, but also for my wonderful family and all that I have.

Such as my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ.  The strength I've had and the aid I've received as I've overcome my trials.  I'm so glad for a warm CLEAN home (even though there may be clutter, its all superficial, there were some places I went today that I really wished I could have cleaned, but at the same time it was jsut too overwelming).  One person I got to see today-it was so sweet, her and her family don't have much, but they have eachother.  They were so kinda and loving to oneanother.  It makes me think about my family, and how dear they are to me.  Several times on the radio that song "Live like you were dying" came on-and theres that one like that asks "How come we don't say 'I love you' enough?"   I know I don't say it enough.  I want to change that.  Be more loving and concerned at home.  So when I did get home, guess what, the spirit of serving had overcome me and I told my mommy to go to the store-cuz she asked about me watching the babies earlier-and I totally wasn't willing to.  So now she's there and all I wanna do is tiddy up the house and help by cooking dinner.  And I'm craving nobakes.  I don't think there can be anything as good as a nice clean home with the aroma of fresh baked dinner and goodies to enjoy them in.

Also, usually I'd be really frustrated that just as soon as my mom left the baby woke up, but today, I'm just glad he's such a cuddle monster.  And that Elyse is so funny!  While I was hugging her she exclaimed: "Be careful, you'll break my neck and I'll throw up again!"

Funny Raven

Today, it was warm out so I decided to walk up the hill to my car behind the Reichart Building.

Because it was warm out-and I was in a brown down coat-I was getting pretty hot

As I approached the dorms, Carly and Sage yelled out the window to me

Sage ran inside and I asked for a ride the rest of the way up the hill

While waiting for Sage, Carly and I watched a silly raven.

He was SUPER silly

First he pulled the lid off the cup of coffe (someone littered!)

Then he kept trying to drink the coffee

Then he dropped the cup accidentally and started walking up the hill

As he turned though, he fell over sideways.  

Haha.....quite ammusing to see a bird fall over.  

But then he rolled back up and kept walking up the hill

Then as he walked through the snow, his left leg sunk in

hahahaha again

This time he took 2 or 3 steps then flew a few feet forward, looked around nervously

I think falling over and into the snow threw off his groove

The poor raven was embarrased

I would have been too...but would have laughed it off

He just decided he couldn't handle it and flew away

Birds are great.

Confession

I should belong to FSA-
Fruit Snacks Annonymous.  I'm an addict.  They're SO good!  Actually, they're not always good but I can't stop myself.  Theres always the hope that the next little bag (.9 oz) will be more full of the good flavored ones, that it'll be softer and sweeter.  I need help. I eat them compulsively, no joke.

 These ones are the specific culprits.  Just so you know.  Sams club Members Mark Zoo animals.  My mom hid the box because she know's I can't help myself and I spent the next afternoon searching the kitchen for them.  Oi....and I havn't told her I found them.  And now I run back and forth, upstairs and downstairs so that I'm only grabbing one packet at a time....good excersise maybe?

Summer 2010 some of now and then (part 2)

okay, so that last blog was mostly about This upcoming summer and now, so onto the then part.  I guess lately I've jsut been sentimental.  Nostalogic?  Idk.  It started with Travis asking me a question--no not the question--I guess he was actually stating how he wishes sometimes that life were as easy as it was when we were little, before responsibility came into the picture and all that good stuff.  And It just got me thinking about everything-I mean everything.  That day we shared some of our earliest memories.  I've attempted multiple times to record some of them I've had just since that chat, but I haven't been able to put it into context.  So, we'll save that for another blog.  But, what I want to get out now is just how everything comes back full circle.  When Amanda and Jordan were first married they lived in this apartment above the warehouse where our dad died.  Sue Hull, Amanda's mother in law at first said that it wasn't an option for them because it would be too hard for Amanda but she stood up and said no, its coming full circle.  I think theres a point when everything we go to begins to tie together and make sense.  I used to think Amanda was crazy, but now this coming full circle is gaining new meaning to me.  Its interesting how if you asked me a year ago who I would want to have in the place where my dad would be in the temple is, the last name I would have given you is Rulon Jensen.  Now, I can't think of anyone else I would rather have there.  Its interesting how Fairbanks, the place where all my darkest expiriences have happened, would hold the sweetest memories in my heart.  Travis another day commented on how strange it is for him to think that all my memories are here in this town-he grew up in an Army family and has been all over the world-but I lived in once place.  My address only changed when I lived in Idaho a grand total of   28 weeks-coming home to 50 below that first Christmas was the greatest feeling as I drove down my road with the snow covered trees bending inward creating a winter snowtunnel-sparkly pure white snow.  And then as I was reminsing the other day I looked out my window to my familiar backyard, remembering other times I looked out my window, longing for things to be better.  Wishing I had greater understanding of this confusing thing we call life.  My room I sleep in now, is the only room that survived the remodeling of our home with the same wall measurements and arrangements, its also the same room I was in when my mom and my aunt and my grama and Uncle came home from the hospital when my dad was taken off the life support.  Its the same room Robin and I kept clean for three months so we could get tree frogs. It used to have a smaller window, and a white bookshelf was under it, which was great for climbing so I could see out the window-or so me and Robin could spy on our aunt Renee while she kissed boys out in the swing set we called the "Love shack."  Today in another convo with Travis, he got me thinking about my dad.  I only remember the stories people tell me, but now as I'm older I can appriciate them better-to the point where I know that Travis would have loved my dad and my dad would have loved Travis. I know it not just because I loved my dad and still think of him the way any 8 year old would (forgive me but those are the only memories that I can call mine) but because I understand them both.

Man, usually I don't start thinking about these things this much till May comes around-but I guess sometimes I really just wish he was here.  I know the Lord has blessed us and that he has his reasons for letting us face the trials we have, but I guess like Travis said, sometimes I just wish I could be young and carefree again.  Go back to the time when I didn't know pain or grief or responsibility.   I've always been pretty happy with where I'm at though-and I do look forward to all the exciting things life has instore.  I guess I've learned enough that I can also look forward to my trials.  Doesn't mean I'll enjoy them, but I know that I'm capable and I know that through them I'll discover the greatest joy because there is oppostition in all things.  We can't know sweet if there isn't any bitter in opposition to it.

I love my Saviour Jesus Christ, and my Father in Heaven.  I know that they love me and help me.  I know that families can be together forever.  I'm so proud of my sisters-Robin and Amanda and the examples they are to me.  And so thankful for my dear Mother who is ever enduring-she amazes me and teaches me by her example.  Also for my sweet stepfather who always does what he can to help, to make things better and make things right and expects the best from me.  I love my precious beautiful baby sister who though she has a hard time listening is a walking miracle and a testimony of our Father and Saviours love, and my sweet sweet little brother who brightens up any day.  I'm greatful for friends with whom I can connect and learn from-that always see the best in me, and love me despite my worst.  I hope to someday become at least half of what they all expect of me-cuz that person would be pretty awesome.  Lastly, I'll just declare how much I love and appriciate Travis and his wonderful patience, kindness, tenderness and humor.  He makes me happy.

With that, I call it a night.
Love,  Melanie

Summer 2010, some of now and then

(In case you didn't get it from the title, I like ryhmes)


Okay, so the last few days I've atempted to be really eloquent in expressing the sentimental feelings I've recently been flooded with, but turns out I'm not that eloquent.  And right now, I'm in no mood for remincing-which is wierd because everything the last few days has reminded me of everything.  It started with a comment Travis made.  :P  I love that boy.  


Anyways, The reason I'm in no mood for reminicing is because I'm so excited about all the adventures that are coming up.  Idk if I put it in here or not, if I have, bear with me, but I'm just so happy to finally be having a plan, a solid set plan for school.  Two years from Now, I'll be done....for a while anyways.  I'll be employable.  I guess I never really see myself being completely done with school....I'll always wanna know more and I see classes scattered about here and there.....but anyways, not only school though is making me happy.  Another thing, is this summer.  Earlier this week I was getting really depressed about having to spend another summer behind the dumb car rental counter (its really much more stressfull than it should be) and being there for hours upon hours, and always missing the sunshine and this fun or that fun cuz I have to go to bed to get up in the morning for work, when out of the blue my Uncle sends me a message inquiring about helping him this summer as a nanny for my cousin-in California!  HECK YES!  The more I think about it, the better it sounds.  2 months of sunshine and playing with a hilarious little 6 year old boy-I think it sounds like a plan!   The other best part about it, is Travis might be getting an internship in San Fansico with the Lucas Arts Jedi Academy.  From what my Uncle says, I would be 40 mins away by light rail.  I'm thinking, this is good. 


 The only thing I'm worried about is actually something I'm not to worried about.  I know that might sound vague, but I don't want to jinx anything that might be brewing.  :)  hehehe....It seems to me like all my patience is paying off and things are starting to fall into place.  :)  YAY!

The Swing of Things

So, I'm still trying to get the hang of this.  I forgot to mention in the "Long Time no Blog" blog-that Last month was AMAZING!  One of the most intense months I've had in a while, but oh so great!  Here's what happened:

     On February 12, my big sister Robin, was set apart as a full time missionary.  For the next 18 months she will be known as Sister Johnson to the people of Fresno California (and surrounding areas).  The very next day (or just later that night) we hopped on a plan to Boise Idaho, as the first of many stops on one super vacation.  Once in Boise we drove to our Uncle Dennis' Hotel where we got to visit him and his family.  Even Cooler, was that at 2pm Dennis and his wife and 4 daughters went through the Boise Idaho Temple to be sealed as a family for all eternity!   I was the designated babysitter of a very sleepy Elyse and Liam, but I hear it was a beautiful ceremony and I know that Families can be together forever.
      To be honest, it was really REALLY hard for me to sit in the car while my mom, sisters, brother in law, grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins all went into the temple without me-I couldn't help but to cry because I so badly wanted to go in.  The Temple for those who don't know, is the most beautiful, sacred and peaceful place anyone could go.  Its is where we go to be sealed as families and to make covenants with our Heavenly Father-two way promises between us and the Lord.  We promise our Faith and Obedience to his laws and commandments, and he promises blessings unmeasured, and I can testify that he always holds up his end of the deal.  I have been so immeasurably blessed because of the covenants I have made-like my baptismal covenants-and the covenants my parents have made, like the marriage covenant in the temple-I can't even begin to describe it.  I look forward to the time when I get to go to the temple and make those sacred covenants.
      After the temple, we all went to Chuck-o-Rama for dinner.  It was so nice to see my Johnson family again. Wish that everyone had been able to be there, but the Following Tuesday we did get to go to dinner with Karla and Roger, whom I must say, I love so much.  They're just fun!  On Sunday of our Trip all of the Elmers came to Tremonton and we just had a fun relaxing evening with Cousins and aunts and Uncles.  I sometimes hate being so far away, but it definitely makes the visits that much sweeter.  I believe we saw almost every Elmer but those in Arizona, the Charbonneau's in Washington, and a few cousins who are scattered about at school.  It was again, so nice to see everyone!

     On Wednesday we were in Provo, and we dropped Robin off at the Missionary Training Center (MTC).  She was SO nervous, she couldn't eat lunch before she went in, but when we got there two strapping young Elders in Suits helped her with her bags, and then as she was escorted in a group of 10 or more gathered around.  She had two large bags but noticed that everyone else was only carrying 1 bag-after talking to a friend who reports in a couple of weeks, I understood.  He's going to some Islands close to Africa, and he has a single bag limit that must be 44 lbs or less because of boats from island to island.  Good thing Robin is staying state side, I know I couldn't condense it to one 44 lb bag either!
   The rest of the trip just included visiting family and Friends. I was happy to spend time with Amanda and Jordan-they both graduate from BYU in May and then will be headed out to wherever work takes them.  We probably won't see them as often from now on.  And we spent lots of time with Grama and Grampa Elmer.  Grampa has Amyloid Heart Disease and congestive heart failure.  He was diagnosed last summer and we don't know how long we still have him, so seeing him again was so good.  I also got to run up to Rexburg for a quicker than quick visit to see some of my former roommates and friends!  Those girls make me happy, and thanks goes to Ariel and David for the couch and food!

    Our last leg of the trip was an overnight layover in LA so that Elyse and Liam could meet their Grandma and Grandpa Jensen.  The day we flew home was Liam's 1st B-day.  Elyse got sick so we didn't have the cupcakes that Grandma Jensen had, but that doesn't matter.  The grandparents met the kids and they let us on the plane!

Long Time no Blog

   SPRING is a time of new begginings yes?  Well Spring Break is finally here and I started the break by cleaning the kitchen!  YAY!  And baking some yummy Banna Bread...actually, I'm not sure if its yummy or not yet because mom's piano student is here and I don't want to share....so I'm holding off.
    I'm almost done with my first year at UAF.  Which let me tell you, it has been quite the learning expirience.   Not so much an educational expirience-though there definately has been some of that, but a life learning expirience.  Moving back in with Parents is rough.  But I'm so glad I did.  I've grown in ways I wouldn't have imagined.  Being back in Fairbanks and working on my relationship with Travis, has been a different sort of rough-but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I've really missed all the dancing I was able to do in Idaho, but I'm finally formulating an educational plan that will work!  The Dental Hygiene thing, I've been pretty excited about.  It was all going to work out, and I was going to be all done with my pre-requisites this may, but then turns out that they won't be accepting a class of 6 new dental hygene students this fall.  LAME!  I even took a summer math class to try and get on track.  Blah!  Anyways, so I was kinda wandering around for a few months trying to figure out what to do for a year of school and then I heard about the Medical Assisting Program!  With everything I've done for Dental Hygiene I'll be ready to start the program either this summer or this fall and I'll be done in 2 years!  YAY!  And I think it sounds like way more fun and will be much more interesting than cleaning teeth.  There will also be more oppoutunity to go further later on.  To be honest though I was excited about it, Dental Hygiene sounded kinda like a dead end.  Medical Assisting is a means to more-I like more!  Also, there will be no question as to where I'll get heath insurance.  Though someone pointed out that if the national health reform happens I shouldn't have to worry about it anyways...but in the meantime knowing that anywhere I go as a medical Assistant I'll have good health insurance available is a comfort. Especially with all my lame asthma medicine.  Which BTW-is another story.
    I was allergy tested about a week and a half ago and turns out I'm allergic to not only dogs, but cats, horses, guinea pigs, hampsters, cockroaches (go figure), a couple of different trees and a few types of grasses.  My new doctor, Dr Foote is the allergy asthma specialist in Fairbanks and he's got me on this new "Asthma Action Plan" and higher doses of advair and wants to start me on Allergy Shots.  The goal is "Airway remodling" cuz I can't breath as well as I thought I could.  He labeled my asthma as Severe Persistent, which is the worst he said.  He also told me about a 21 yr old girl who died in Fairbanks Last summer from Asthma problems.  Kinda scary, but the visits to doctor Foote have been very educational and hope inspiring.  I may be able to find relief yet!

In the meantime, HAPPY SPRING!