Julie Jensen, Author at Jensen Journey

1 June 2017

Book Review: The Upstairs Room

I am trying to improve my free time. What better way to improve my free time than to read more? It is a little difficult to read with multiple children crawling over me and vying for my attention. That’s okay, this super woman can do it all. And so I will be giving brief book reviews as I complete each book. (Don’t expect them too often, but as long as I am encouraging my kids to read more this summer, I will too.)

This week I finished The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss and I would highly recommend it. Suggested for 8-12 year old readers, it was insightful for adults as well.

Introduction by the author

“This book is about my life, or rather part of my life, the part that took place in Holland during the Second World War. In this book I have gone back to those years when I was a child, and Jewish, and therefore undesirable, when I had to hide from the Germans.

I have not tried to write a historical book, although it may have some historical value. What I did try to write was a simple , human book, in which my sister an I suffered and complained, and sometime found fault with the Gentile family that took us in for a few years, in which the members of that family were not heroes but people, with strengths and weaknesses. -Johanna Reiss”

STYLE

I had a hard time with the book’s literary style. It is neither a “diary” nor a story with proper dialogue. It isn’t even written in a “my memory” format. Instead, the author writes in first person, and mixes thoughts and dialogue in a confused and vague manner. However, once I familiarized myself with this slightly confusing style, I became enthralled with the message.

Content

The book roughly covers a four year period beginning in 1940 when Germany invaded Holland. The narrator, Annie de Leeuw, is 8 years old when the German occupation puts her Jewish family in danger. After two years, they separate and go into hiding. Annie (now age 10) and her older sister, Sini (20), head to a farming community together and spend the next two years hiding upstairs.

The book is fairly uneventful, although tension mounts when the Nazi’s move their headquarters downstairs. Even so, the author draws the reader into the world she experienced and had hoped to forget. I found myself wondering how I would do in a similar circumstance. Would I be brave and defiant? Or weak and fearful?

The author genuinely moved me. I ached for these young girls who never got to go outside to play, never got to make friends, and who had so little exercise that their muscles atrophied. I felt their hopelessness as each season passed with no sign of deliverance. And when the Allies finally arrived and liberated their village, the author does a marvelous job of helping me feel the girl’s trepidation to leave the house after such a long confinement.

As I read I found myself constantly stopping and asking Jax: “What would this be like? If you could only have one book while in hiding, what would it be? Can you imagine two months in bed just to stay warm and undetected? How would it feel to just leave the house after such a long isolation? How would it be to find out your neighbors had hidden Jews for two years? What would it be like…”

Recommendation

I give The Upstairs Room 10 out of 12 buttered rolls. It is a thought provoking book and the content is presented in an appropriate manner for children. However, I suggest you read it before offering it to your child so you are able to discuss it together. And be aware it is not in an easy to read, “novel” format.

31 May 20174 June 2017

Julie Gets a New Hobby!

I think Jax felt inspired last week. He started a blog post for me and left me to it. However, I am finding the task a little harder than I thought it would be. But I find joy in the challenge and I feel that this will become and enjoyable hobby.

So what is this new devilry you ask?

Writing Book Reviews!!!

History

In a past life, I was a student. And man did I enjoy that time. I studied English/Literature at SUU and received my Bachelor’s Degree the December before I married Jax. I had begun looking at options for getting my Master’s Degree but motherhood was always my first goal and I have not regretted one minute of my decision to become a mom instead of a professor.

I have used my love of reading and writing a bit throughout the years, but nothing serious. My college professors turned me into a literary snob. It took me a number of years to read fun literature again. And truthfully, I still prefer a the classics 8 out of 10 times.

books, books, and more books

But as my children grew, I found I needed to read what they were reading so I could guide them towards the “better” books. I read all of the Narnia books with them, and spent years reading Magic Treehouse books. I tried Junie B. Jones and decided that she was not going to be allowed in my home; Ramona Quimby still holds my heart. We read Fablehaven as a family. And although I can’t stand Diary of A Wimpy Kid, I let the kids check them out and read them.

As you can imagine, my reading time is somewhat limited. Eight munchkins take time to raise. But I do manage to steal a few minutes a week to keep my mind agile. So when I finished my book last week, Jax asked me to write a review. “Sure! Sounds fun! How hard can it be?”

Very Hard

Did I mention I’m a literary snob? Well those same professors taught me to write essays, NOT reviews. Who cares how I feel? Back up all statements with quotes, facts, expert opinions. So after four or so drafts, Jax came to the rescue again. He gave me his version of a review based on my essay and I went from there.

So, that’s the plan. Read as much as I can and share my thoughts and feelings. Wish me luck!!!

18 May 201722 May 2017

Raising Some Dough!

Earning Summer Cash

Not wanting to mooch off of Mom and Dad, Caitlin and Joshua are trying to raise money. They have summer activities they need to pay for and items lost in the fire they want to replace. They are already in the hole (to Jax and me) for swimming lessons and summer passes to the pool. Their chosen method to raise money is to sell bread products – loaves, rolls, etc. You might say they are “raising some dough.”

This isn’t new to them. They’ve both been making bread for a long time. We’ve made our own bread at our house for years now, and they both learned to do it. So you won’t be getting experimental bread, you’ll be getting our tried and true recipe for fantastic fresh bread.

Joshua's rolls — They look good, don’t they?

Orders

They would like to find a few regular customers, people who they can provide bread to on a regular basis on certain days of the week (Mr Jones every Monday; Mrs Smith on Tues. and Fri. for example). It’s available any day of the week except Sunday. It would be best if they didn’t have more than 4 loaves of bread or 4 dozen rolls on any one day.

One time orders are welcome as well! They won’t turn anyone away.

For special occasions they would do more 4 per day. For example, if you have a family reunion this summer and would like 12 dozen rolls, that would be fine with some advance notice. These would be great for occasions like Memorial Day BBQ, Birthday parties, Thanksgiving dinner, family Christmas Party.

All bread is white bread for now. As soon as we can get our wheat grinder from Missouri we will be able to offer wheat bread too.

Pricing

One loaf of bread: $5

One dozen rolls: $5

Half dozen rolls: $3

Half dozen cinnamon rolls: $5

2-4 Bread Bowls (for soup): $5 … number depends on the size you want the bowl.

Special pricing available for larger orders. If you want a specialty bread, like Italian bread, then make a request and they may be willing to fill it.

Shipping

Neither of these two can drive, so we’re anticipating customers to be local (in the PG area). We will deliver to you in that area. If you live outside of PG and want bread (rolls for lunch, or cinnamon rolls for the office maybe), then we will have to make arrangements for pickup (we could meet you near a freeway entrance for instance).

Morning delivery will be most likely. They will wake up, make the dough, and deliver the breads when they are done baking. You could have fresh, hot bread in the mornings for breakfast!

Would you like the smell of fresh bread in the morning?

For large special orders we can make arrangements for delivery to other locations. Again, just give us enough advance notice and we’ll make sure the kids take good care of you.

Order Your Dough Now!

So if you would like a weekly delivery of specially made fresh bread, then order now! We’ll take orders for up to 4 loaves, or 4 dozen rolls, per day. You can order by filling out the form below, private message on Facebook, or give us a call at 870-291-1520. Be sure to tell us which day you’d like regular deliveries on!

Satisfaction guaranteed. They are kids. They’ve been known to occasionally forget to add things like salt, or sugar. So if you get a bad batch then it will be replaced for free.

Payment expected upon delivery. Cash is preferred.

If you haven’t tasted our manna from heaven before, than a free sample will be provided upon request.

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14 May 201723 May 2017

Mother’s Day

My thoughts on a beautiful Mother’s Day morning.

I am sitting here in an almost silent house (JR woke up about an hour and a half ago and has been playing quietly at my feet), contemplating Mother’s Day and what it has meant to me over the years.

When I was a child and the entire focus was on my mother, I found joy and a little bit of pride in this day. I have a truly amazing mom. I loved giving her my handprints, artwork, homegrown flowers in paper cups, writing her witty little poem, or making her a treat. I hope she felt loved as these small tokens graced her lap once a year. I loved standing in church with the other primary children singing to my mom and watching her smile at her little brood. Mother’s Day was great from the innocent viewpoint of a child.

Then I became a new mom and this day failed to meet the expectations that TV, facebook, and my own imagination had conjured up. I don’t think I have ever had breakfast in bed. Let’s face it, I think the last time I slept in was in 2000. Pampering is not a word in my vocabulary. Though an occasional footrub has occurred, keeping my feet up while everyone takes care of daily chores hasn’t quite happened yet. And the Sunday sermon on motherhood usually has me feeling like I am in last place on the Best Mother Award list. So why do we mothers do this to ourselves.

We set expectations that no one can meet. We feel unhappy when they aren’t met. We feel unhappy when our loved ones try to meet them, because we see their efforts but… We feel guilty about feeling unhappy. One year I banned Facebook on Mother’s Day. I didn’t want to see what someone else’s husband, or kids did for them. I didn’t want to see those other “perfect” moms feeling joy and pride in their position at the top of the “Best Mother Award” list. Nope, I chose to wallow in self-pity on the day that we have set apart to honor and celebrate the role of mothers. Wow! Really?…Really? Yes, really. It’s true. I had a stretch there when I truly HATED Mother’s Day. I look back now and feel horrible that I failed to appreciate what I had, what my family tried to do. But I don’t think I’m the only one. And so, I want to share what I did to turn this day into a day filled with peace and love instead of one of dreaded loathing.

Focus on the blessings. No matter our circumstance, we have been blessed. Focus on those blessings. It may feel artificial and Pollyanna-like but do it. My baby woke me up an hour earlier than he usually does. Why? Because it’s Mother’s Day and I am “supposed” to be sleeping in while my children bring me an elaborate breakfast on a tray. But instead of griping, I held him a little longer. Look at what I have been blessed with. Pill or not, He is mine and I love our noisy little mornings together. Instead of dwelling on that elaborate breakfast that has not yet occurred in my 14 years of motherhood. I just smiled as my two year old chose his cereal with excitement. “This one!” Yep, there is zero effort involved in putting a smile on his face. And that puts a smile on mine.

And this is how the rest of my morning will go now that I am older and wiser. I will still change diapers, I will still find shoes, I will still get eight children ready for church just like I do the other 51 Sundays of the year. BUT, I will choose to be grateful for each chore. I will smile and make fun of how such a smell can come from such cuteness. I will be grateful that we have milk for cereal, that there is warm water for my shower. Instead of picking a fight with the multiple children that were asked to empty the bathroom trashcan yesterday, I will either: Do it myself and be grateful we have a garbage service to haul it away on Wednesday. Or I will ask someone to take it out again in a nonchalant, “I just noticed it needs to be taken out” kind of way. If I can’t find church shoes (which seems to happen more often that not on Mother’s Day), we will go barefoot and be grateful for sunshine that warms our toes. I will choose joy.

That is what sets mother’s apart. We truly do have an unglamorous, 24-7, 366 day a year job. But we can find joy. Even in the marker mess on the wall or forehead. Smile. You are a Daughter of the Most High God and He has asked you to raise these, His precious children! Motherhood is not a prison sentence or a punishment because you happen to be a girl. NO. Motherhood is a gift, a blessing that will live on through the eternities. Feel the truth of that. You are raising the next generation of missionaries, moms and dads, teachers, inventors, artists, farmers, mechanics, soldiers, doctors…………….the possibilities are endless.

Find joy in the journey. Don’t waste a single Mother’s Day feeling like you or your family is not “up to snuff.” Serve them in love and find peace in your majestic calling of Mother. Smile today my sisters. Laugh at the struggles that WILL present themselves today. Cry as your child hangs onto your leg refusing to go to nursery. Embrace all that you are and all that your family sees in you. You are loved more than you could ever comprehend. So…Feel the Love, and Enjoy the Journey.

5 May 20175 May 2017

Journey

Jax and I have been discussing where our journey is going to lead us. I’m not overly thrilled with our options. But as I have taken the day to mull things over I have come to this understanding. Sometimes we have to do things we may not want to do in order to attain the things we want.

For example, if I want to lose weight, I will probably need to diet in one form or another. Now I can make the best of that diet by choosing a diet that will fit my lifestyle. But I will need to make changes in my diet if I want changes to occur on my waistline. If I want to be able to run a marathon or climb Mount Everest, I will have to train every day. I can’t just wake up in the morning and expect to do great physical feats. I have to work hard, work through sore muscles, work when I don’t want to.

My aunt tells a story of going listening to a concert pianist with whom she had grown up with. She talks of how effortless his performance seemed as his hand glided across the keys. While talking to him afterwards, she casually said, “I would give my right arm to play like that.” His response has stayed with her through the years. “Would you? Would you really? Because that’s what it takes. That is what I did.” While other children were running and playing in the streets, he chose to practice the piano. While other boys were playing baseball his hands were learning how to make music. He knew what he wanted and he did everything he could to attain that goal.

So as I sit here in limbo trying to weigh my options I have decided that I need to decide what it is that I really want. What do I want in five or ten years? Is it a house, a farm, a boat? For me, those things are secondary. What I want, is a happy and whole family. I want a husband who may have scars but whose wounds have healed. I want children who are happy and productive.

They should understand that they can do hard things. They can reach any goal they set for themselves. I want them to learn that even when life throws you a curve ball, you still have options. You can smash it out of the park. You can hit it and bide your time on first base. Even if you try with all your might, you might strike out. But there will be other pitches, other times at bat, other games to win.

Sounds great. I want a happy little family. To some people that may sound like a very vague goal. But in my situation there are some very specific things that we must do to reach that goal. The first thing is to help Jax heal from the trials that are still plaguing his dreams and turning them into nightmares. We have other trials to heal from, some visible and some very personal. There are financial, physical, and emotional elements to consider.

That being said. As I weigh my options, I feel like I have a clearer view of my path. If I want Jax better then I need to live where he can get proper care. I will make the best of this curve ball… I’m going to smash this thing out of the park! And I will enjoy the journey as I go.