Saturday, October 27, 2012

A Dog's Purpose



I know Jordan and I talk about our dog Leo a lot. . . and I mean A LOT!
Those who don't own a dog may think,
"Really Jensens, another picture and post about your dog?"
Someone who recently lost their dog showed me this story.
Very touching!
Read this and I think you may gain a new appreciation for dogs!
 
 
A Dog's Purpose: From a 6-year-old

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.
The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.
I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure as they felt that Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him.
What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"
The Six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
 
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
 
-         When loved ones come home, always run to greet them;
·         Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride;
·         Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your      face to be pure Ecstasy;
·         Take naps;          Stretch before rising;
·         Run, romp, and play daily;
·         Thrive on attention and let people touch you;
·         Avoid biting when a simple growl will do;
·         On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass;
·         On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree;
·         When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body;
·         Delight in the simple joy of a long walk;
·         Be loyal;
·         Never pretend to be something you're not;
·         If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it;
·         When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently;
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.
You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good, so, love the people who treat you right.
Think good thoughts for the ones who don't ~ life is too short to be anything but happy.
Falling down is part of LIFE...
Getting back up is LIVING...


WE LOVE YOU LEO!!!



Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Lexe KICKED Leukemia

On September 29th, 
Jordan, Leo, my mother and I 
participated in the Cancer Race at Sugarhouse Park.
We represented our friend, Lexe Selman.

  Lexe is one of Sammi's teammates on her Avalanche soccer team.
Our family is also very good friends with the Selmans.

On April 20th, Lexe was diagnosed with AML, which is a form of leukemia.
The news was devastating to everyone.
Lexe had worked so hard  her whole life to receive her scholarship to play soccer
 at University of Arizona.

We knew that of all people, Lexe would be the one to put up the biggest and strongest fight!!
Lexe is an inspiration to all of us. 
Even when her health literally hit rock bottom, 
she never gave up!! 
Her courage and positive attitude will stick with me forever.



 I will continue to wear my orange "Lexe Kicks Leukemia" band
 to remind myself to remember what's important in life
and to always stay positive even when life throws you the biggest trials.

You can read about her amazing story at   http://www.lexekicksleukemia.blogspot.com/.

 

 

The Catalina Wine Mixer!!

The end of September we had the chance to go back to CATALINA ISLAND. . .
 For four days we were able to spend time with our good friends
 Josh and Erica and Ash and Justin!
Great crew!

 We had so much time to just relax. . . 

We cruised on a speed boat that had FIFTEEN HORSEPOWER . . .
 


Tried to catch Johnny Depp. . .

We swam in the ocean. . . Well some did.
Others attemped.
 





Jordan is CONVINCED he looks like a shark.
"Shark Attacks" are his new thing so WATCH OUT!

Towards the end of the trip, Justin and Jordan decide to have a competition 
to see who could shave their heads the shortest.
Great idea, right?!  Oh, it gets worse. . .
 
THEN the competition turned into who could give each other the best haircut.  
This was the result.
 
Just so you could get a better look at Justin's


 
Ashley couldn't have made a better comparison.
Jordan made us call him Jef Holm (from the Bachelorette) the rest of the trip.
 
They even went to dinner with their new haircuts.
Lucky us.
People would stare at us and then I would look over at Jordan and remember. . .
"Oh yeah, I'm with someone famous."

THANK GOODNESS those two live in different states. 
I can't even imagine what would happen if they lived near each other.
They are both quite entertaining though!
Me and my Jef Holm (Jef with one "f")


 The next day they had to make sure to cover up those tan lines. . .
Bless their hearts!
Josh. . . the only smart one!  :)

 After swimming, shopping, mini golfing, snorkeling and playing in Catalina, 
we went to Huntington Beach to do some more playing
and celebrate Ashley's 25th birthday!
We then drove to San Diego to stay at Josh and Erica's darling place.

We were so sad to go home because we don't ever get to see Ashley and Justin 
and Josh and Erica!!!
What a fun vacation!  Thank you all for making it so great for Jordan and I!


Monday, September 10, 2012

Dog-a-Pool-ooza


If you are a dog owner, and you find this little invite . . .


you know you are going to be your dog's favorite for WEEKS!!

South Davis Recreation Center had their Dog-a-Pool-ooza day last Saturday.
We took Leo and even invited some friends to join the fun/maddness.
It was hilarious!  Dogs all shapes and sizes!





 (this must be what dog heaven looks like)






 
As you can tell, Leo had the best day and was quite exhausted.
He was the only dog looking for some shade.
 


 
We tried to take a "family pic" for the day. . .


It obviously didn't work out . . .


These three couldn't get enough of each other.
What a trio, right?!


 Thanks South Davis Rec Center for a fun day for our pups!
I will never swim in your pool from here on out,
BUT
can't wait for next years Dog-a-Pool-ooza!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Till We Meet Again. . .

Yesterday morning, on August 16th, our Grandpa Coleby passed away.
We were prepared to hear this news, but were both so sad to think he is no longer with us.
He was quite the man!!!
I had a special opportunity to interview him for a paper I had to do for a class.
For two hours, he told us stories about World War II and his life before he came to the United States.
What a neat night it was for Jordan and I.  
One that we will never forget.


All four of my grandparents passed away when I was quite young.
I keep on telling Jordan how lucky he is to have known his grandparents at an age where he can appreciate them and their legacy they have.
Learning about Jordan's grandparents make me wish mine were still here.
They were the best grandparents!  I think about them often. . .

SO!  Moral of the blog post. . . 
If you still have grandparents that are here today, 
APPRECIATE THEM!!!!
They have SO much to offer!


(Grandma Coleby, Grandpa Coleby, Jordan, me, and Grandma Jensen)
missing Grandpa Jensen


How grateful I am to have known Grandpa Coleby.
He SPECIFICALLY welcomed me to the family with open arms!!!
In a way, I felt like he was my own grandpa. 
Thank you Grandpa Coleby for letting me into your family.
Thank you for the wonderful example you were to all of us.
Thank you for the amazing legacy you have left for Jordan and I and our future family!
We LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU!

(below is the link to Grandpa Coleby's obituary)



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Camping With the Jensens

This summer, Jordan and I have started to be quite the campers.  
We may even be legit enough to be members at R.E.I.  
We've started to collect all the gear . . .
-Sleeping bags
-Camp Stove
-Tent
-Leo's tent
-Jeep
-Air mattress, etc. etc.

  One main reason we like go camping is because we get to see the face on this guy when we pull in.

(how could you resist that face, right??)


This weekend we went to Alexander Lake in the Unitas with the Jensen family.  
For those of you who haven't been there, it is well worth the hour and a half to get there! 
It is gorgeous! 



There are so many activities you can do at Alexander Lake . . .

Canoeing

(Leo may be fooling you.  He wasn't enjoying this and almost tipped us over SEVERAL times!!)


Fishing

(better luck next year you two!!)



Hanging out around the bonfire
(this includes delicious food and treats)






As I said earlier, Jordan and I thought we had the camping thing down.  
I mean look at us. . .  Don't we look like we know what we are doing?  WRONG!!

(Carhartt vest, boots, really??)

A HUGE rain storm came in the first night we were there.  
I mean rain all evening and all night long. 
We thought, "Oh we have the rain gear on the tents.  We have tarps and our rain jackets.  We are PREPARED!!"  WRONG AGAIN!!
That morning everything was soaked.  Clothes, bags, sleeping bags, everything.
Everything except for Jordan's waterproof North Face bag.  Figures.
Lesson learned and noted. 
 

Another memorable moment we had on this trip was when Leo took his first swim! 
Okay. . . Leo didn't really take his first swim, it was more like his owners pushed him in.

This is what Leo would do in the lake before. . .

Jordan and I were really wanting Leo to swim.  We did everything we could to bribe him.  
Treats, Frisbee, his ball, you name it!  We tried it!
Finally, we got the idea for Jordan to take Leo out on the canoe (which he didn't seem to enjoy) and I would stay.
After many calls of excitement and everyone cheering him on, Leo finally worked up the courage to jump in.
It didn't go as smoothly as we thought it would. 
As he was about to jump out, he tripped over the canoe and face planted into the water.
Body, head, face . . . everything under water.
What an effort it was to paddle back to me.   
 
This was him after . . .
(Luckily, Aunt Jill filmed the whole thing!  Video will be posted)

We are still deciding if Leo needs to see a therapist.


What a fun weekend it was in the Uintas.  
Anytime you need fellow campers, the Jensen's car is already packed!
We may not be experts, but surely we can bring a good time!