my passion for journal writing

My passion for journal writing began in 1976 when I was 15 years old. At the suggestion of my sister Ann, I started writing in a journal, and have been a faithful writer ever since. I have fluxuated from writing daily, weekly, or monthly (during pregnancies), but since Cam has been born, I have something recorded from every day. Not that I'm writing every day however. I usually just take notes then write when I have time (like at work, during a ball game, in the car, during Relief Society- whatever it takes) I love going back and reading my old journals. I learn so much about myself and remember much that I've forgotten. I like to note the prices of things, and write every few months about each child individually. I have a list of my favorite things, and things I don't love. I keep a list of books I read on the last page of each journal- with the number of pages in the book so I can know how many pages I read per year. I encourage the kids to write in their journals, and they do so when told to, but not on their own- except for Kylee who kept a great journal during high school and until she got married. I hope she's still keeping a good record of her early married years. I also have journals for:

~what I do for exercise

~gifts given/received

~funny things the kids have said when they were little

~favorite quotes and thoughts

~the boys sports stats

I encourage anyone who is not a journal writer to consider getting a small journal and making an attempt! You won't regret it!

Jessica's graduation

Jessica's graduation from Logan High School was this last week. We had some fun family activities leading up to Thursdays graduation. Monday night the Weyerts, Raymonds and Nelsons came over for a graduation party. We had fun eating, playing "who knows Jessica best." Besides Kylee who got all 10 questions right, and Mike who got 9 right Freda came out as the winner with 9/10 right and Teresa a close second with 7 right. Impressive! We then opened gifts and watched Jessica's DVD of pictures throughout the years set to music that Kylee created (with Jessica's help scanning all the pictures). It was a great evening. Wednesday night was the traditional "candlelight" where there is a speaker in the LHS auditorium, then the seniors go around to four different places around the outside of the school and have 4 short seniors share some memories. They all have a candle to light their way as it was dark by then. It's a cool tradition. The parents/families just trail along- visiting with each other mostly and not listening to the talks. . . then there are lots of opportunities for pictures since there aren't really any after graduation the next night because they have to turn in their caps and gowns immediately after it's over.

On graduation day, we had a repeat party with a different cast. This time the Ericksons, Gary, Ann, Searles, Jamie, Ryan and Millie, and Sara and boys joined us for the same festivities that we did on Monday night! Aren't two parties always funner than one, then there's no MIXING- my pet peeve- as you all know. We had a great time with everyone who came. Mike, Jessica, Cale (who joined in the party too) and I all left for the 2 hour graduation at the Kent Concert Hall at USU.
This is the T-shirt quilt I made her with shirts she's worn over the years- mostly in high school. I had the depressing realization that all the t-shirts I had been saving since 1st grade had somehow vanished, so I had to go with what she had in her drawers--- very upsetting. It was a great week, and we're so proud of Jessica for this milestone in her life. Way to go Jess!
Once again my minimal skills on the computer are prohibiting me from figuring out how to turn this quilt right side up. Sorry!

new bedroom

Last month I redecorated my bedroom. Here is the before picture: And here are the after pictures:

We LOVE the change! A big thanks to Lindsey for being my personal shopper/decorator/idea girl, to Freda for helping me paint (and Jessica) and for making the new curtains, and to Mike for hanging the new curtain rod.

recent activities

We've been busy lately with lots of fun activities. Jessica graduated from seminary Sunday night. We're proud of her for that. What a cute new outfit!

Jake has been having a great second season playing lacrosse. He has double headers on Saturdays (traveling sometimes to Ogden/Pocatello, Brigham City) and two practices a week. He's also on a soccer team that plays on Thursdays and Saturdays. One Saturday he had three lacrosse games and a soccer game. Needless to say, he was pretty wiped out by the end of the day.
We had a fun family party with Mikes family at Tommy and Jessicas house in Kaysville. We had a yummy cookout, then divided up into four groups and did a skit or song that we'll post on utube. The one with the most hits in one week will win a cool prize. It was very hilarious what we all came up with.

This is after church on Mother's Day- one of my favorite days of the year. Mike and the kids do so much to make my day special. Mike made a big breakfast before heading off to his ward. The kids all bought me nice gifts, but the best part was their sweet notes and letters to me. I don't have to lift a finger all day- all the cooking, dishes and cleaning gets done magically! We enjoyed having dinner at our house with the Ericksons, Searles and Gary.
The Lakes came by for a short visit when they were in town to run the Ogden Marathon. We loved seeing little one-year-old Brody. We think he's so adorable.
That same weekend, Emma came to play for a few days. We always love when we get to play with her. She is very fun and entertaining.


When Ryan and Lindsey came to pick her up Sunday, we enjoyed a nice lunch, games and visiting. What visit would be complete without some homemade cookies. Everyone is chowing down on some warm snickerdoodles. I should include the recipe since my two posts with cookie recipes have gotten the most comments. Anyone, anyone?

Five things about Cam

Cam got tagged by Emma to tell 5 things about himself that you may or may not know- so here goes. (he's #28)

#1. He's a very sporty boy- he LOVES playing sports and competing. He is always on at least one sports team at a time, and has been on as many as 4 at once (that was too crazy). His favorite sport is football, followed closely by baseball. He is on a competitive team that plays double headers on saturday, and a city league that plays in the evenings twice a week. He plays on a competitive team for basketball in the winter. He played soccer from pre-school-5 grade, then had to give it up because he was too busy with baseball. He also loves snowboarding.

He has competed in several running races also. This picture is of him taking first place in the mile run out of all the 5th graders at his elementary school last year with a time of 6:03.

#2. He's adventurous- he's not afraid to try anything. Some of his scariest have been the 30 ft platform jump at lava hot springs, and the skycoaster at Lagoon and Celebration center.

#3 He's a big fan of BYU football. When the linebacker Cameron Jensen was playing football during his sophomore year, we loved watching him on TV and hearing the announcer say his name. During the summer between FB player Cameron's junior and senior year at BYU, we were staying with the Romneys in Orem and went to BYU to check out the campus. We happened upon the football team having press day and were lucky enough to meet Cameron and get this picture. He was so nice to us, and especially to Cam and we visited with him for about 15 minutes. He offered to get us tickets to a game that season which we were thrilled to do. We were able to talk to him again after the game we attended, get more pictures, and have him sign some keepsakes. We corresponded that summer a little, and he got us tickets to another game his senior year. Cam still has a wall in his bedroom dedicated to his favorite football player.

4. Cam has gotten more injuries in his 12 years of life than everyone in our family combined.

This one is when he had to have oral surgery to take tissue from the roof of his mouth and stitch it onto his bottom gum line. Then several months later, he had to have the gum line resewn because it didn't take well enough. Luckily that time they left the roof of his mouth alone.
He got his finger shut in the van door and had to wear a splint for a week. It was right in the middle of football season, so his coaches were not amused. Luckily it healed quickly.

Here are pictures of his broken arm from a few months ago.
This one is when he had shingles a couple summers ago.
He fell over the handlebars of his bike when he was 5 and had 20 something stitches on his chin. He has gotten his finger (s) slammed in the van door twice. That's all I can think of for the time being.

5. Cam is great at saving money- and working hard for what he has. He does a paper route every morning (for the past year) and earns between $140-180 a month depending on tips. Currently he has $665 in a mug in his bedroom.

Hopefully you've enjoyed learning more about Cam!

grandma maymes famous molasses cookies

I have had several requests for "my" molasses cookie recipe. Actually, I have to give credit to my grandma mayme who made these cookies for all family gatherings for over 50 years. They are famous in the Griffin family. My kids are not really fans, but adults usually are. So here is the recipe. Let me know if you try them and how they turn out- and if you like them.
1 cup shortening
1/2 c molasses
1/4 c water
1 heaping c sugar
2 beaten eggs
4 1/2 c flour
1/4 t salt
1/3 t cloves
1/3 t ginger
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t allspice
1 t soda

Mix well. Make two rolls, wrap in wax paper and put in refrigerator overnight. Cut in slices and bake at 325 8-10 minutes.
Frost with cream cheese frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 c butter, 3 c powdered sugar 1/2 t vanilla, enough milk to make it the consistency you want. Enjoy!

Yesterday was a busy, but exciting day for the Jensen family! Mike, Kylee, Brody and I along with many extended family started off the day by attending the wedding of Dave Romney to Courtney Poulsen in the SLC temple. It was a beautiful sealing and they are an adorable couple. The temple grounds were so gorgeous and that part of the day was sunny and warm. We had a great time visiting with family that morning and the night before at their wedding dinner held in the Joseph Smith building.

Mike and I left right after the wedding to travel to Malad, ID to Cam's double header baseball games. He played two great games at shortstop mostly, but also pitched 4 innings. We love watching our kids perform. It's our favorite past-time.

I left the second game early to hurry home to Logan to see Jessica off to Senior ball. Stacie did a beautiful job on her hair and make-up, and Jessica looked like a princess. Cale looked very handsome too, making for a stunning couple! They had fun on their day date going 4 wheeling and shooting rifles.


Jake arrived home in between Jess leaving and Cam and Mike getting home from baseball from playing in three lacrosse games in Pocatello. Sadly we had to miss his games because of all the other activities of the day. He played well, and had many bumps and bruises to show for his efforts. Today we're just recooperating and relaxing, and will be ready for more fun and excitement in the days and weeks to come!

This picture got out of order and I don't know how to get it back to the top!