A thankful Heart

I'm at this wonderful point in my life called young adulthood. I've fallen in love a time or two, traveled, studied abroad, served a mission, had my heart broken, discovered several things I'm good at-- and even more that I need to work on, been lucky enough to make a few really wonderful lifelong friends, and blessed with amazing testimony-building experiences which have made completely clear in my mind and my heart that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is 100% true. By every definition of the word I am blessed... Not to mention my fantastic forever family. Seriously, they're amazing.

In an effort to jump back into the blogging world and to continue documenting my young wonderful life, I will be posting at minimum one post a week expressing grattitude for the tender mercies the Lord bestows on me... After all, Izaak Walton said,

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart."

This week, I am thankful for:

Daily scripture study and the weekly opportunity to partake of the sacrament

The temple that is five minutes up the road from me

Sewing and creating beautiful things

Amazing friends like Jenn S., Bethany H., Rob B., and Aubin P. whom I get to see often

Good music on Pandora

My life experiences which give me wisdom, memories, and perspective.

What are you grateful for? Take thirty seconds and make a list... Try it, you'll like it!

Farewell to Dallas

It all started Thursday night at our church building when I was set apart as

Sister LeSueur

We all gathered together in President Alleman's office at 7:30. The whole gang was there plus Brother Bowman who Lance home taught with my Dad once.

Group Shot!

After the 'setting apart', Audrey {who was so cute} was just too happy to get out of her dress!

Dessert was a cake that looked like a missionary name tag. Cam and Kevin are too creative!


Friday was my going-away party. It was so much fun to see all those I love there to wish me well!

The Floyds were there... I've known them since forever!

...and so were the Thrashers. I love these two!

The Prosper Relief Society was in attendance-- What wonderful ladies!

Linda Higbee and I are kindred spirits... One of the little girls kept giving her necklaces :)

I love these little ones!

I made snowman cake pops to match my 'winter wonderland' theme...

They turned out pretty cute!

We also served:

• Chicken cordon-bleu
• Chicken-salad croissants
• Mini quiche
• Spinach-artichoke dip with toasted bread rounds
• A veggie tray

After the party, Trevor and Kaylee came home and helped finish off the food.

...bread-bowl and all!

Audrey was just so tired after entertaining all night!

so we rock-a-byed!

Trevor and his new main-squeeze

Since I was set apart, Daddy ensured Lance and I kept the proper distance after the party ;)

Nancy Vrska and Carla Scott quilted me this beautiful quilt with wool batting. In the corner it says,

Chelsea LeSueur
Ohio Columbus Mission
2010 - 2011
"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord"

...I LOVE it!

We've had a really fun couple of days!

"They Say It's Your Birthday... We're Gonna Have a Good Time!"

Monday marked my dear daddy's 32nd birthday, so we all gathered at Cam's house and had a birthday celebration! It commenced with Beatles Rock Band on the Wii, which was Cam & Kevin's Christmas gift to each other, and which is why the title above is so appropriate! We all hung out while we were cooking Daddy's birthday dinner-- he's an all-American kind of guy... For his dinner, he wanted hamburgers, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes au gratin, and Caesar salad. For his birthday cake, he requested an apple pie. Cam had a delicious recipe, it can be found at the end of this post!

Unfortunately, we had to use matches as candles because we all overlooked the birthday candles! It's an exciting memory, that's for sure!

"Make a wish!!"

Grandma and Audrey with their SpongeBob birthday hats. Audrey can be seen here with her new Santa Christmas toy!

Group shot-- We love you Daddy!

After the party, Grandma and Audrey were pooped! They snuggled up after Audrey's bedtime bath, story, and bottle and fell asleep:

Aren't they precious?!

I'm so grateful for my daddy. He's such a good man, and I am eternally thankful for the hard work and the sacrifices he has made in his life on my behalf. He has set such a great example of what a husband and father should be for me, Cam, and Trevor. He provides so well for us, and he never complains about all the things that are required of him. He faced so many hardships growing up, overcame them all, and has become a man his parents are so proud of. Here's a list of five reasons why I love my daddy:

1. He has a love of history, and he has passed that love down to me.
2. His love for my mother is undeniable, and watching that type of love exist between my parents has undeniably shaped my future more than anything else.
3. He has always worked so hard on behalf of his family. He is an excellent provider, and he has always put us first.
4. He has the uncanny ability to stay calm in sticky situations.
5. He's awesome, and he is so proud of us kids and our accomplishments.

Apple Crumb Pie

Filling:

• 2/3 Cup Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Flour
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 6-8 Tart sliced and peeled apples (Granny Smith or Macintosh are great!)

Crumb Topping:

• 1/4 Cup Butter
• 1/4 Cup Sugar or light brown Sugar firmly packed
• 1/2 Cup flour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare 9-inch unbaked pie shell as directed on package. For filling, combine dry ingredients. Add apples and mix thoroughly. Place in pie shell.

Prepare crumb topping: Mix softened butter with dry ingredients. Sprinkle on top of filling. Bake for 45-55 minutes.

-Recipe: Compliments of R. Heilner

"We Are a Happy Family!"

It's that time of year... The time when Christmas cards help us to keep in touch with all those people we care so much about-- so, a current family picture needed to be taken!

We went down to the train tracks in Prosper, and we found this great train car. The following pictures are what we got from our short half-hour photo shoot in the mud, with the cold weather, and with me setting the timer and running to get in the shot before the camera went "click":

The LeSueur/Jensen Clan

The cute little Jensen family

Chelsea

Trevor

Audrey in her super cute Pottery Barn Kids chair

Trevor let me wear his slippers, so Kevin carried Trevor

Group Shot

Grandma & Grandpa with Audrey

Audrey was surprisingly happy for this photo shoot... so was Kevin! We were all pleasantly surprised!

Audrey's mama making her laugh

Super baby!

"I love mommy, yes sirree, we love trevor, yes indeed. Cam and kevin are great as is audrey, and we all love daddy and he loves us.... we are a happy family!"

K, those aren't the exact words of the primary song-- but we ARE a happy family!

J'adore Octobre!

This is why I love October...

It is the perfect weather to be outside in, so momma, Cam, Audrey, and me went to Canton where we people can go to buy the things they never knew they wanted...
This picture pretty much says it all... It's kindoa like one big garage sale on the one side, and on the other side, people sell the things they've made-- like a big craft fair! While I loved both sides, Mom and Cam only liked the craft side!

After walking and walking and walking, we sat down to take a quick rest... Audrey was completely worn out by this point!

This is the before picture of the stroller. It has a baby in it... and that's normal.

Here's the after picture of the stroller... No baby... Lots of stuff!

Ahh, there she is-- looking cute as can be! Sassy little thing in the Sassy baby 'store'

Group shot!

Orange Pumpkins are one of my favorite things of all time. I love orange, and pumpkins wear the color so well! We went to the farmer's market Saturday and we each picked out a pumpkin!
There were lots to choose from...

Jensen family picture!

Audrey was the cutest little witchey-poo, and loved the pumpkins!

Lance was even with us :) :) :)

Family picture! It was early in the morning so the sun was in a bad spot... but I love this photo!

Look at that bird... he was just perched on the wheel!

General Conference is the first weekend of October, and i love general conference! I love conference because it's a time to listen to the Lord's prophet and apostles' counsel for us. I love conference because it is a time to spend a good solid weekend with family. I love conference because it is the most uplifting weekend of the year!

Audrey playing with Grandpa's hat... So cute!

Rock-a-bying with Uncle Trev.

...And holding on for dear life with mama.

I love October!

Over the River, and Through the Woods...

To Grandmother's house we go!

Little Miss Audrey Kate and her big sister/compadre/bestie Molly Mutt spent the last week at Grandma LeSueur's house while her momma and daddy were celebrating their anniversary in The Big Apple... Even though I was gone most of the week at work and such, we still managed to have a good time, and I even snapped a picture or two! I can't believe how grown up she is getting!


"I'm ready for my closeup..." She's such a ham for the camera!

This was on the last night she was with us...By now she had a handle on the whole bottle thing, and she was holding it all by herself!

"Safe in my grandma's arms."

We read books at night. This one was Good Night, Moon. Grandma even bought a few new books for the collection including, Moo, Baa, LaLaLa! as well as I Love You, Good Night. Audrey really enjoys story time!

We took tubbies, and she especially loved it when we gave her a shampoo Mohawk! Her hair isn't quite long enough for it to be as dramatic as I would have liked... Rest assured, we'll give it a week or two and try it again! :)

As her favorite aunt, this is what I taught her :)

Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Trevor and Auntie Chels had so much fun with this baby... We all love her so much!

Thanks for going out of town, Cam and Kevin, and sharing your baby with us!

In Other Audrey news... Audrey is growing tons and tons of hair, and it sticks straight up! She looks just like her dad!

Too cute! :)