Merry last Christmas..

Finally I got around to summarize Christmas.. I seemed sweet, fun but short.

My brother-in-law Tyler, and his wife, Chelsea just arrived a week before Chritmas day. They were able to go to Samuel's preschool program. He was soo funny, not because of how he danced or smiled but because he showed his true character.. 5 going on 15. This pictures says a lot. Like "really, do I have to do this?" However, as obedient and good for his teachers as he tries to be, he didnt let that stop him from participating, which I appreciate, and I am sure his teachers too.
We went to the zoo and other places...

Before the unwrapping madness began:

Sunday, was special of course. We had everybody for the fun bunch..

One of the "biggest" presents was this snail. Grandma got it for little Daniel but obviously it was very popular among the rest of the boys, including the older ones!

Microplush throw blankets were another gift for every member, and the most excited about it was my Benjamin of course. He has a thing for touching soft materials.. He had to try each one to make sure it was "soft enough". Quality control?

Then came time for pie. Little Daniel discovered another delicious treat he enjoys. However, he had no problem going back to auntie Chelsea for more!

Some other presents and their receipients:

Wrapping paper mess... what kid doesnt like it?

Then, we have the funny story. After all the gifts were open, the kids couldnt hold themselves away from the bublle wrapping... pop, pop, pop.

Dinner time! Jevnes are known for good cooking as well as good appetite, right Tyler? 

The next day, was time to try all the gadgets and toys, including the 3D chalk. Benjamin just liked wearing the glasses!

Not Resolutions but Reminders

The year 2011 left and I am still so behind, still not posting enough since I started in 2009.
At the end of the year many do resolutions. I got tired of the idea because I know it just get forgotten within few weeks.. even days. Ironically enough, I was asked by the bishoprick in my ward, to speak last Sunday about the years experiences and lessons learned. However, they were not to be my own. I prayed a lot for inspiration. And what I came up with turned out better than I thought. (At the end of my thoughts is the talk, if you have time and desire to ready it.)

Nothing sounds new from what I mentioned on my talk, at least not to me. Therefore, they are not resolutions, they are reminders of what is important, and true.
I think is important for me to be more flexible with my boys, even though, I wasnt raised to be a mom, I was showned a great example. I forget so many times that the importance is not to be so strict that my children wont understand joy but only discipline, that happiness is the goal and love is the Savior's language to parenting. My biggest issue to remind myself this year, is to be more affectionate. As a "latina" I never seemed to have been that "touchy", yet my husband's love language is that particular characteristic I was taught to be a weakness. My husband reminds me so many times, that is ok to be emotional, tears wont hurt anybody, is just water!

Therefore, I do have a resolution for this year and the rest of my life: to let that seed of love in me, grow to the extend of my arms. To hug like a swaddling blanket with the strength of rope, to be a happy space in time that my boys wont want to leave yet to forget, of how much I love them; and how much of that love they should reflect on their actions with one another as well as their future families. As much as I love my husband I dont emotionally show it enough. So, I will do better, to let the love flow and free my tears when needed as well as wanted..
I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with this little family to guide and help grow into the straight and narrow path. To raise men of truth and love.

(my talk)

A year for our new world means 4 seasons, 12 months, 365 days; where school, college, work seems to take 3/4ths of it or may be almost all of it. I would like for you to think quickly on what this year meant to you. As you do, I am sure different things come to mind; physical things probably come up first, like the accomplishments at work, improvements on the house, progress in school, successful potty training or new additions to the family. However, there were disappointments, frustrations, incomplete projects, accidents and even passing of loved ones. Every year, we have thousands of experiences, encounter lots of people, and go many places, not to mention all the times we get sick. All these are classified under challenges and success of the year. In order to review these experiences for last year, we need to have few points into count:
First, the physical aspect in our year. We were able to do all those things partly because of our bodies. In an article by Barbara Lockhart in the February 1985 Ensign, she mentions how “having a body is a blessing. It is a gift we received because of past righteousness.” So, who of you was righteous in the pre-existance? That is right, all of us, because we all have our reward for past righteousness, our bodies.
Second, the mental aspect in our year. We are able to think and plan through our brains, even simple involuntary acts of survival happen because of our brain. In an article by Kathleen Pulsipheron on the March 1980 Ensign, she says, ”the human mind is elastic, able to expand and stretch as information is fed into it; there is no limit to what it can do.” So, we all have that power to expand and stretch our minds.
Third, the spiritual aspect in our year. We are able to have the guidense from Heavenly Father throughout our Spirit, whom the Holy Ghost communicates with. In Moroni 7:16 we read, “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge..”
Now, we can look at the experiences of 2011, since we understand a little better the control, power and potential we have as human beings.
I am sure in each of you had different possible ways you could have managed each situation, whether a challenge or a success. Therefore, here are some ideas to have a better outcome and hence, a more enriching growth to our lesson during our earthly life, that you can include on your New Year’s resolutions.
• Did you have enough sleep? Research shows that sleep is vital for learning and memory, as well as physical growth. Also, better mood, less stress, weight control and better looks. Infants require 16 hours a day, teenagers 9 on average and adults 7-8 hours. Short naps count too! Yay for siestas!!
• Did you eat breakfast today? Studies showed that the benefits of eating breakfast include improving overall nutrition, concentration, alertness, creativity and aids in weight control.
• Did you talk to Heavenly Father yet? We communite directly with our Savior through Prayer! Pray alone, pray with your spouse and pray with your family.
• Did you inspire your mind yet? Scripture study is not only for those with a higher education. We are blessed with the fullness of the gospel. Why not expand our knowledge of Heavenly Father’s wisdom and stretch our brain capability with scripture truth. Read scriptures alone, with your spouse and with your family. It can be short but consistent and I promise it will have an eternal result.
• Did you do a good deed today? Anybody can use a smile on the street, a yield on the road, a thank you anywhere. The simplest thing can go a long way for so many. It doesn’t have to be a service project, just a simple act of kindness.
• Sunday is the day to worship our Heavenly Father, and family. Come to Church every Sunday, you never know when there are treats, or lessons that will answer your personal prayers. This is your opportunity to renew your baptismal covenants and be clean from your spiritual challenges. If you are not baptized you can still nourish your Spirit and remember the atonement through the sacrament.
• Go to the temple. With our busy lives, it is easy to forget those sacred covenants made at such sacred place. If you haven’t had the opportunity to go or don’t have a recommend, please try to live your life in such way that you are worthy to such blessing.
• Have a Family night. We know it as Family Home Evening. It doesn’t always have to have a lesson, but the importance is the quality time spent together getting to know each other better and connect as a family.
I believe we have heard these suggestions many times before. In Tom Perry’s words from the Oct 2009 General Conference, “I want to go back to the past way of facing the future.”

So, remember the formula:
Daily you need 7 hours of sleep, 1 good breakfast, at least 3 prayers (morning, night, meals, with others), 1 good deed.
Weekly you need 3 hours of Church (without including activities), an 1 hour of Family time.
Monthly you need 1 temple attendance (at least).
I pray that as we set our goals for this new year, we can remember what and who is important in our lives. That we have a physical body, unlimited mind and truthful Spirit. That no matter what it is, including the Savior in our goals and daily challenges can help us focus to continue on that straight and narrow path to go back to Heavenly Father’s presence in the highest degree of glory.

Tio Diego's visit

My brother Diego came to visit us during memorial day weekend back at the end of May. He hadn't seen the boys in two years, so he was very excited to see them again. They had seen him on skype and enjoy his tricks with the web cam.. We made a quick welcome sign.

Benjamin had no problem holding his hand and being close to him. And Samuel could only think of helping with the "cougar" suitcase. He was happy to help Tio, and I was happy to see him helping out. That same day happened to be the opening of a new exhibition "Ice Age" at the Children's Museum. So we went from the airport to that. They had some really cool stuff, but it was sure packed. The next day (Sunday) Tio Diego gave to them some presents. One was an awesome piano! They were so excited. He also got them the unforgettable Twister, as well as a "cool microscope" and card game. The could wait to be back from Church to play. Then, my brother started drawing to Samuel all the people in our Colombian family and explaining to him the importance of learning well Spanish so that some day he could communicate with them. It broke my heart, because I have done a lot of impressive things with them but teaching them Spanish. So it was a good reminder for me to really get on the ball. We are making some progress but I think the best results will come from only speaking Spanish to them. We will see our progress.On Monday, we went soccer game with another ward (with friends from our Church) and Diego got to play (he is really good) and had lots of fun with Jay and the rest of the families who played. I wish I had taken pictures but didn't so. Later that afternoon, we went to a new park and really enjoy playing with Tio. Even swinging with him. Baby seemed to enjoy watching as well. Back then he wasn't crawling but was trying to.Then we came home for BBQ dinner. Jay grilled and it was delicious.Then more games, which included spending time with Tio on his demo of how to play piano. By the way, my brother took several years of organ in his early youth. I was forced to learn from him, which I hated so I never did. I do remember the basics though. While playing, baby Daniel seemed to enjoy the melody..

Another day they play horsey and basketball, one of their favorites.Until they discovered Diego's "toy". His really cool computer, kept them entertain for a long while. Men and computers..

While Benjamin napped, Samuel got the perfect opportunity to play chess with Diego. He was super excited since I had told Samuel how tio was in the chess club at a early age and taught me just so he could practice all his book plays with (yes, lab rat). However, because of it, I knew enough to teach Samuel. So, indirectly, thank you Diego for teaching me such brainy game.

We also went to a quick visit to the zoo. Overall, the kids really enjoyed having my brother visit and spend quality time with them. Got to say the rest of the family did too, since the first night he helped all of us to fix the router for wireless Internet . YAY. But it wasn't simple; it took him a while.

Thank you Diego for coming and visiting us! We loved having you and learning with and from you! Samuel has a very similar personality to my brother, and got to say they do have a especial connection. It was great to see my brother with my children and share the blessing of family and posterity.

We love you Diego, and hope to see you in less than 2 years!

April wedding post..

This is a lovely love story, which just started on friendship.. My brother-in-law, Tyler, is 8 years younger than Jay and just got back from his mission last september (2010). He met Chelsea when my in-laws moved here to Omaha 10 years ago, since she was in a different ward but had common friends, and her twin cousins were in his ward. Long story short, they liked each other for a very long time, but never said anything, and Tyler seeing his friend's drama with girlfriends decided to wait to date until after his mission (smart!). After his got back he was just going to work and spend time with family and friends till winter semester when he was planning on going back to school to BYU Idaho, were she was going to as well, and happened to have this fall semester off too. What he didnt know, is that his dad (now bishop) and Chelsea's aunt (our stake Young Women's Pr) were on the move to set these two off to the altar. Each one started commented to each young adult about the other etc.. (They had to have this picture, it says it all!)Well, soon enough there was a dance and she invited him, and from then on.. all we heard was about Chelsea and her family etc... Jay still being on the Island, made things difficult for this lovers to decided near future.. Tyler couldnt wait and proposed on Christmas Eve.. with a little of my artistic help.. and my boys cuteness..

They were a very adorable couple.. I personally give more credit to Chels, since her beauty and sweet smile won in every photo.. They had all kinds of different pictures, but these were some of my favorites.. Who doesnt want shakes now?

Then, they kept thinking about the date.. that they would wait until Jay came home in August.. yeah right. Since she (Chelsea) was done with school and back to her last semester before graduating first by a week than Jay, they decided to still do it in April. So in April 14th, 2011 they tied the knot. Their personalities are sooo fun..

But still, she was a gorgeus bride.. And so the party began..

We knew of a couple who got sealed with their two boys and they were the ages of Samuel and Benjamin now. So we asked if we could borrowed their tuxes.. sooooooooooooooo CUTE!!! We missed JAY in this photo.. sad.. I just couldnt get enough of the boys.. Grandma and Grandpa Jevne came from Wyoming as well, as uncle Dave and June. Auntie Riri and the boys.. and doing her magic on Grandpa's neck.

I spent most of the night going after the kids.. well, Benjamin for a while and then with baby awake, my hands got sore running after my two-year-old. Samuel, got introduced by one of Chelsea's cousins to angry birds and other games. Carla (my mother-in-law) made over 500 suckers in daisy flower shape with 1/4 of jelly beans in the center.. crafty! The boys saw her do them over and over and kept asking for one. We kept saying at the wedding.. So Benjamin's palatte couldnt get enough!

Pretty cake and lovely decorations..

Two families = more fun! (Two mother-in-laws, and Tyler and his new father-in-law)

My boys..

The day before the reception was the sealing at the temple and the dinner.. And the kids loved the yummy food and monkeying around as usual!

Lovely celebration.. Now we are very very excited to have a new auntie! Welcome to the family Chelsea~!