Friday, November 14, 2014

Our Exciting News (times two)!

Chris and I realized a while ago that after five years of not getting pregnant that we would probably never be and we were good with that.  We were excited about growing our family through adoption. In fact, we were in the process of our second adoption when we found out this exciting news one Monday morning...


Needless to say we were shocked and speechless!  On September 29 we went to the doctor to confirm we were pregnant and then on October 8 we went for our first sonogram and were speechless again when the doctor told us we were having twins!! Oh my word!!




After about two weeks the shock had finally worn off (a little) and we were ready to announce to the world (via Facebook) that we were expecting twins.







Here's some details... the twins are due on May 8. Chris is expected to report to Hawaii in April for his next duty station.  Abe and I will probably move early (February or March) and Chris will join us when he finishes up in Monterey.  Also,  we are having identical twins and they are both boys! Here is a picture of our little football team...


We are excited, anxious, surprised, overwhelmed and a little nervous. Once again we covet your prayers for the health of our little boys, and for Abram's sweet little heart (once again) as his world is about to change and as we prepare to move.

Many of you have asked about our registry (y'all are too kind). We are registered at Amazon and Target. :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/ref=?ie=UTF8&lid=20Z3086CTZOB8




Thursday, November 13, 2014

Abram's Third Birthday

I know this post is almost a month late, but better late than never, right??

Chris and I decided a while ago that we would do a big birthday party every other year for our children. Last  year Abram had a big party, so this year we spent the day doing his favorite things  as a family. Also, Abram had just had his lip revision surgery so we wanted to keep it low key so his lip could continue to heal.

We had such a fun day. We started the morning off with Cake Batter Pancakes. They were delicious and Abe loved blowing out his candles. It was so fun this year because he actually understood that today was his birthday, that he was no longer "2," but "3!" It was so fun to see his excitement.


After breakfast we set out for our first family adventure.  Whenever we go walking on the bike trail Abe always points out the bicycles you can rent.  We thought today would be a fun day to rent one just for him. He had a blast and loved blowing the horn! 



When we came home from our bike ride we ate lunch and then sang "Happy Birthday" again before eating his birthday cupcakes. Abe not only helped to make these cupcakes, but he picked out the batter, icing and sprinkles.  He couldn't wait to eat one! 


Then after nap time we were off to our second surprise... The Santa Cruz Boardwalk.  It is such a fun place with great rides.  We started off with the kid rides but then Chris decided since he was "3" he was big enough for the "big boy rides." Abe's eyes lit up and they had such a fun time!! I couldn't believe Abe wasn't scared! He just kept saying "more, more!"





We can't believe our little boy is 3! This year has flown by, but it has been such an incredible one with our sweet Abram. We love you, buddy!!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Gotcha Day!

On July 22 we celebrated Abram's first "Gotcha Day!"  Hard to believe that one year ago we met this amazing boy for the first time.  Chris and I have been thinking for awhile how we want to celebrate our "Gotcha Day" every year-- we want it to be special, but just not with gifts (that's what birthdays are for).  We came up with a few ideas that we hope to do every year.  They will include: Chris and I writing a letter each year to Abe and keeping them in a special book, taking a picture with Abe every year holding his referral picture, making family cupcakes that Abe picked out, eating Chinese food, and finally a special event picked by Abe that the whole family can do.  That's what the day is about, us being a forever family.  Here's a few pictures from Abe's special day... 

Abe with his referral picture. He has grown so much!!
Of course we had to have a picture with panda!
Our Gotcha Day banner that we will hang every year.
Eating our family cupcakes.  He loved his blue icing!
Dinner at PF Chang's (not real according to Chris but close enough!)
I love that he likes to eat with chopsticks.  He's a champ!

This year since he's a little too young to pick his event, so we picked it for him!  Abe's absolute favorite thing right now is trains.  Specifically, Thomas trains.  When we heard Thomas was coming to town, we knew it would be the perfect way to celebrate Gotcha Day this year.  Abe had a blast and so did we!




With Sir Topham Hatt... Abe wasn't too sure about him.
Getting a Harold tattoo

Showing off his tattoo and sticker. 
Playing at one of the many train tables.  He loves these things!
Standing in line to board the train...
Our family picture on the train.

And we finally got to see Thomas...
Abe was amazed!
What an amazing year it has been!  Through everything such as becoming parents for the first time, Abram's hospitalizations, his speech delays and figuring out what was best for Abe, God has definitely been faithful to us.  It is amazing to see how far our scared little boy in China who loved to hit and rarely smile has come.  He has brought us so much joy and we can't wait to see what this next year has in store for him.






Friday, August 1, 2014

Family Visits

This month we have been blessed by not only my sister and her family visiting, but also my mom and dad.  It is such a big deal to us when people come out to see us and we try to show them a good time! Our first set of visitors was my sister, Julie, and her husband, Jamie, and their two amazing kids: Cade (13) and Ella (7). We had a blast with all four of them and stayed super busy. All Cade and Ella were interested in doing was being at the beach, swimming and playing in the tide pools... that's why most our pictures are at the beach! 

Cousins playing in the tide pools

So glad my mom sent them with wet suits... the water was freezing!

I love this sweet picture of Cade and Abe.

Reading with Uncle Jamie. :)

A group shot of us at Point Lobos.

Ella loved reading books to Abe and he loved listening to her read... so sweet!

Enjoying some warmer water at the pool instead of the ocean for a change...


Our favorite part of their visit was the bonfire in Carmel.  We brought sandwiches from the best deli in Monterey and loaded up stuff for s'mores-- the Jensen girls never eat a meal without dessert!  We had such a fun and memorable time!


Enjoying a Reese cup s'more with my sister!

Abe didn't like the s'mores... he just liked snacking on the ingredients!

A week after Julie, Jamie, Cade and Ella left my parents came for a visit.  Now, I know my parents love me and Chris, but I also know they were really here to see and spend as much time with Abram... and I'm not complaining one single bit!  Every morning they would walk Abe down to the beach and stay for about 2 hours, giving me several enjoyable quiet mornings.  They also kept Abe so Chris and I could have a date night and they even stayed with Abe over the weekend while Chris and I were in San Francisco for his marathon.  We loved having them here... and not just because they were free child care. :)



Swinging in the park with Gram

A beach picnic with Gram and Granddaddy!

Such fun grandparents, even though the water was freezing!

Stories before bedtime.  I love my mom and Abe smiling at each other...

Walking along Fishermans Wharf after finishing ice cream!

Our favorite time with my parents was our last evening with them... we headed out to Carmel beach (it's the best) and watched a huge pod of dolphins swim and jump right in front of us for about an hour-- it was amazing!  Abe wasn't too interested though... he was concentrating on the sand and his dump trucks.


We have had such a fun summer with going to visit family and having family come here.  It's super important to us that Abe has a relationship with his extended family so these visits mean the world to us.  We know it is difficult with us living far from everyone so we really value and treasure this time with them!





Friday, July 18, 2014

Summertime = Roadtrip!!!


Chris had a two-week summer break between classes, so we decided it was the perfect time to make a road trip to Washington to visit his family.  I was onboard because the two times I have been to Washington have been during the winter and I was looking forward to seeing some sunshine.  Also, who doesn't love a 15-hour road trip with a toddler?!?!  We loaded up the car till we had room for nothing else and we were on our way.

Our first overnight stop in the exciting town of Weed, CA

Keeping Abe busy with plenty of activities, books, snacks  and movies meant our backseat was packed

Being silly with his Mr. Potato Head

Chris grew up in Port Townsend, Washington, but his brother and his wife live in the Seattle area.  We spent a few days with Barbara and Michael before going to Port Townsend.

With Uncle Michael and Aunt Barbara at the Woodland Park Zoo

Of course we had to take Abe to Pike's Place Market...
... to see the flying fish!
I was thrilled to see that a famous glass-blowing artist, Chihuly, has an exhibit in Seattle.  We were hesitant to take Abe to a glass exhibit, but we decided to give it a try--he did great!  Granted, we went through a little faster since we had a wild two-year old with us, but we still enjoyed it.


Pointing out all the different colors in the ceiling glass exhibit

Chris loves this picture with the glass and the Space Needle hovering overhead
On Sunday morning, after visiting Mars Hill Church, we boarded the ferry that took us to Port Townsend.  Abe loved driving our car onto the ferry and getting out and walking around while it took us across.
Abe is blowing in the wind
Our first morning in Port Townsend we headed out to the tide pools and beach.  It was a beautiful morning and we had fun exploring with Grandma!
Every boy needs a stick!

Touching the crab that Papa found

Playing with Grandma in the sand

He was worn out!

Playing games with Grandma.  They loved being silly together!
The weather was so beautiful while we were in Washington--we were able to spend lots of time outside.  One day while we were at a park, an ice cream truck pulled up.  Of course, I was thrilled!  It was Abe's first ice cream truck and we let him pick whatever he wanted.  Chris laughed that of course he picked the most expensive one on the board.  He loved it and would have eaten the whole thing if we let him.


So many choices..


About an hour from Port Townsend there was a Safari Park where the animals would come up to your car and you could feed them.  It was a blast!  Abe enjoyed it until the animals got too big and he wanted his window up, but he still liked seeing the animals stick their heads in by his Papa.  He was laughing hysterically!

Feeding the zebra

After this one, he asked for his window to go up. :)

The HUGE buffalo sticking his head in the window to get some bread
We were also able to spend lots of time with our friends, Nicole and Ryan.  They also have a two-year old, Luke, who Abe loved to play with.  Nicole holds an extra special place in our hearts because she introduced Chris to Christ while they were in high school.  We love it when we get to see them!

Luke and Abe playing in the bunkers with their flashlights

Climbing the ladder at the bunkers. This kid is an excellent climber!

Examining their findings at the tide pools. :)
Nicole and Ryan took us to one of Luke's favorite places to eat... a restaurant on a landing strip.  The boys were in heaven!  While we were waiting for our food, the dads took their sons to see the airplanes and helicopters and then while we ate we could watch them take off and land.


The guys visiting the planes and helicopters while we waited for our food.  




We had such a fun time on our road trip and it was wonderful to see our family and friends.  And we must say, Abe did great in the car for the 15 hours there and back--we were blessed.  We hope you are having a great summer, too!