Visiting the Jensens

I can't believe its been 2 weeks already. That 2 weeks ago I was kid free... if only or a few days. A wonderful few days.

On the 6th of this month, I went to see my younger brother Bryant, his wife Taryn and their cute little 5 month old baby Emmy Mae. I so enjoyed watching them be parents, seeing how they interact on a day to day basis, sharing in the places they like to go, food they like to eat (which, I have to say, Bryant got his dream come true a woman who truly could care less if she ever eats another piece of meat again). We had so much fun in 3 short days, travelling all around Delano and nearby places. Bryant had this strange idea that I would actually want to sit around and relax while I was there... something which is totally foreign to me and just felt too strange... I decided I wanted to go explore Delano, Bakersfield, Visalia, Kingsburg, and the Sequoia Nat'l Park while we I was there... Sunday was enough of a relaxation day for me. :)

I arrived in Bakersfield Thursday evening and was exhausted from all the travel and staying up late the night before, so after a little Delano sight seeing, I came to their house and cashed or a a few hours before we went out on the town or some yummy Mexican food.

Friday we woke up not so early (ahhh.... sleeping in), got ready not so quickly (aahh... no rushing out the door) and left about noon to Kingsburg and Fresno.

Kingsburg is a cute little Swedish town on the way to Fresno, which is where my family lived in the mid 80s. We walked around the cute little town and got some lunch then headed on to Fresno.

I hadn't been back to Fresno in the last 22 years since we moved, so it was pretty cool to see the old neighborhood again. I was surprised at how different it looked from how I remembered it. So much greener and had so many more trees... I guess i have been in AZ way too long! Well, it was great to see BOTH of our houses on Rialto (we moved across the street to a bigger house), and reminisce on some old memories and old friends. Its amazing how yards and distances seem so much smaller and shorter as an adult. We also visited our old elementary school and Roeding Park, where we spent many Saturdays feeding the ducks, going to the zoo, riding rollercoasters and climbing around at Story Land. Bryant Taryn, Emmy and I actually spent like 3 hrs just chillin at the park, enjoying the great weather, taking lots of pics (mostly of cute Emmy), and kickin the ball around a little bit. Then we headed to an Indian restauant, which was a teat since Chris hates Indian food and I love it.. and we never go since there aren't any nearby Indian places anyway. I got a mango lassi, chicken tikka masala, naan, some kinda yummy basmati rice.. all my faves. When we got home we played a few rounds of some card game I can't even remember... it was way fun though... especially watching how competitive Bryant and Taryn can be with each other. :)

Saturday morning we took just about as long to get ready, stopped by a few stores, then went up to the Sequoia Nat'l Forest. I remember going as a kid and being fascinated by the giant Sequoias and redwoods, and they were just as majestic and beautiful as I remember them. And still as big, even though I am a little taller. ;) On the drive up I was instantly taken back to being a young girl driving on family campouts or daddy daughter campouts through similar woods.... even the smell seemed to be the familiar. When we got to the Giant Sequioas we were all a little shocked at how much snow was on the ground. In some spots it was like 4 ft! Crazy but so beautiful. We had a little picnic lunch then went on a hike in the snow.... needless to say we didn't go too far... especially since I only brought 1 pr of shoes with me and lets just say they were definitely meant or the AZ summer sun.

Sunday was an especially wonderful day for me since it was Mothers Day... I felt bad or my kids not having their mommy around on Mothers Day, but honestly didn't feel the least bit bad for myself... Bryant made us a wonderful Mothers Day breakfast and I loved going to their church, which was vastly different to the ward I am used to attending. Oh, and best of all, I didn't have to be a mom on Mothers Day. :) At church, thee wee no screaming kids, not many people my age, and really not many people at all. And about 75% of the members were Hispanic, prob half of those didn't speak English. What was really surprising to me was the casual organization of the meetings... like their Sacrament meeting. We walked into the chapel and the bishop asked Bryant if he had seen Bro so and so who was supposed to be speaking that day. He hadn't been told this bother was sick and couldn't make it to the meeting. So the bishop asked Bryant if he might say a few words. So after listening to the first speaker and one of the full time missionaries, who had also been put on the spot, I was privileged to hear my bother give a beautiful talk on motherhood and the divinity of women... quotes, stories and all. It was wonderful. Sunday school and relief society ran about the same way... no teacher for Sunday school so they combined us with the youth class. No teacher for the Spanish women, so they had a bilingual lady translate for the 2 women that didn't speak English. Even so, it was a beautiful day with beautiful lessons and a sweet spirit in a humble salt of the earth wad.

I was sure sad after lunch that I had to head back home, but at the same time I was excited to see the family I missed so much. I enjoyed the alone time on the airplane both ways when I could catch up on the book I was reading, but it was so great seeing my sweet kids' excitement to have their mommy back. They all made me cards and gave me lots of hugs and kisses.

I am so happy that I got to visit Taryn, Bryant and Emmy, to see Emmy's loving and happy disposition, smiling almost every time I looked at her! And thank you Taryn or driving Bryant and I all around memory lane and or sharing you first Mothers Day with me!! Can't wait to see you all again soon!

Kingsburg

Memory Lane



















A little friendly competition... s'all good





































Sequoia Nat'l Park






































































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