The Incredible Gifts of Women

My Mother let me borrow this book when they came down to visit. I am most of the way done with it, and I HIGHLY recommend it. It is seriously one of the best books I have read. Every single page makes me want to become a better person, but doesn't make me feel bad about where I'm at. The book talks about 12 gifts that women have been given, and how to enhance them and better ourselves. There is a chapter on the gift of joy, humor, trials, self-worth, etc. There is even a chapter on the gift of refinement in appearance, and she talks about makeup, skincare, and other basic ways to take care of yourself physically. She said that most women just don't want to put in the effort to make themselves look good unless it is a special occasion. However, so often the way we look translates into how we feel about ourselves. I can definitely relate to this, as I am at home all day and don't know many people here so I don't get out much and don't do much with myself. When I don't put on any makeup or get dressed for the day I don't feel as good about myself. Basically, when I look like trash I feel like trash. Anyway, she talks about how you can look refined without spending a lot of money, it just takes a little effort, but it is worth it. The author is Barbara Barrington Jones. All you women out there, go and get this book to read, you'll love it.

Anniversary Gifts

Dax and I have finally been able to enjoy our anniversary gifts to one another. For our anniversary I got Dax a Topsy Turvy tomato planter. He has been longing to grow something, and it was the best I could do under the situation. We picked our first 2 tomatoes on Saturday and they were delicious! We're hoping to transport the plant to Provo and keep it alive because there are 10 tomatoes on it in different stages and more buds still growing. Next year I'm going to buy another one and we'll grow peppers in it or zucchini or something! We've enjoyed it.

Dax got me a one hour massage at Massage Envy for our anniversary. It took me so long to use it because I knew that once I used it that was it, so I was trying to save it for a good time. I'd never had a professional massage before, it was great!! Massages are so expensive, but it was a nice once-in-a-lifetime thing to go and do!

More Pictures of Visitors

Our little family at the Grand Canyon. Hayden and I didn't do the hike this year...it was too hot for him and we didn't have a pack. I say 'we' didn't do it this year because I did the hike last year while I was pregnant with him :)


Kase and Laryn at the end bottom of their hike to Ooh Aah Point in the Grand Canyon


Mom Jensen at Canyon de Chelley


Kase was nice enough to babysit Hayden so we could go to the Mesa temple before our company arrived...he took Hayden to a delicious (but dirty) Mexican restaurant. You can tell how Hayden felt about it...

Visitors...FINALLY

This is our 3rd summer in Flagstaff, and besides my sister Nicole visiting for a couple of days last summer as haven't had any family come to see us. This summer we were fortunate enough to have both of our parents come to see us! My parents arrived on Sunday the 28th and left Thursday afternoon and Dax's parents and youngest sister Laryn arrived that night and left this morning. We have had a week and half of visitors. It has been a lot of fun and we've been able to visit some of the major tourist spots in Arizona (you could spend several weeks down here seeing all of the major sites) such as the Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon, Phoenix (we went to the outlet mall there...it is amazing), Meteor Crater, the Lowell Observatory, etc. We will miss having family around! However, Hayden will definitely be grateful for a more stable schedule and his own room to sleep in. :) Thanks everyone who came to visit!

Dad Wells toward the end of a hike into the Grand Canyon


Hayden and I at Walnut Canyon


Dad Jensen at Window Rock


Hayden and I at the Grand Canyon


My parents and I at the Grand Canyon

Handsome Little Man

Hayden turned 9 months old on July 6th. I can hardly believe how big he is. Each time I feed him I think about how small he was and how he used to actually fit in my arms! He is crawling everywhere and is pulling himself up onto everything. He finally seems interested in how sounds are formed, and sometimes watches how you make sounds to try and make them himself. He still only has 2 teeth. I'm hoping he gets some more soon because other than missing some teeth he is developmentally ready to move on to new foods. When I'm on the ball and make sure he gets good naps he'll go to bed at 7:30-8 and wake up at around 6:30. He has some CRAZY hair, but I think it is adorable. He babbles constantly and is the cutest little guy I've ever seen. I'm excited for the new developments that are coming soon...I love to watch him grow and learn.