News, News, News!!

Well life has been exciting and what can I say? I have obviously allowed myself to get distracted from Blogging again. Sorry Sare! Hope you can forgive me! LOL Anyways, We have had some AWESOME blessings in our family lately. First of all, I got accepted into Nursing School at BATC and I have been jumping through hoops and generally just freaking out trying to make sure everything is in order for when I start. Which is NEXT Tuesday! WAHOOO! SO excited! I have all my books, uniforms have been ordered, babysitter found (Thanks Rachel!!! You are an AWESOME sister in law to me and I am EXCITED that you will be living next door!(oops now I am ahead of myself)) Anyways to say the least I am MORE then ready for school and Super Uber Excited! Now the EVEN Better news.
So for about 3 years now we have been looking for and applying for jobs for Adam. He has been frustrated with ABC and wanted something more stable (no winter layoffs, etc.) and with a little more interest for him, SO long about 1-2 months ago or so I was online looking for him while he was at work in response to yet another text message from my dear husband pleading, "Find me a JOB!" I go through the things I think he is qualified for and I find something called Well Services.... sounds interesting and so I delve deeper in, he would have to go to Wyoming or North Dakota... hmmmm well we're always up for adventure although leaving home wasn't really on the agenda but as my husband says, "If the money's right" so I send him a message and ask if he is interested, he tells me no, not to worry about it but by the time I get his response I have already sent his resume. Now I tell you at the time there was something about it that told me I should send that resume without waiting but you probably will think it is just hindsight, but I swear I had s good feeling about it though I couldn't tell you why. Well in the intervening time I frankly forgot about it. There was once or twice it came to mind but with a cursory thought for yet another resume out with nary a response on I went. Hubby of course didn't even know I had sent the resume, not that I was hiding it, I just forgot to tell him I already sent it. Anyways long about 2-3 weeks ago now I receive an email in our joint email account addressed to Adam saying as how he fit what they were looking for and were very interested in more info about him, bla bla bla. So I told Adam and we got together what they wanted and he met with Ron (at this point I think Adam would have investigated any job that didn't involve ABC). Much to our surprise this job sounded like a pretty good deal. He could expect to bring home around 50k or more the first year and he would be doing HE Operation, which he enjoys. There would be the inconvenience of him working in Wy while living here (gone 2 weeks, home 1) but we figure we can make it work, why not try? He brings home a packet with SCHLUMBERGER on it and all kinds of info about the company, I think shh-lumber-grr??? What is THAT? Anyways I was soon corrected and told it id French and pronounced Shh-lumber-Jay, Ahhhh! Got it! Anyways they do work for oil companies and so I got in touch with Pop, who works with a lot of oil companies through Columbia Heli. and come to find out this company is a pretty big deal and awesome to work for, for all that they are French! LOL Anyways and so Adam and I stressed and fretted for a week leading up to his interview, and as I was asked to go along, we traipsed up to Pocatello for the interview on Friday and low and behold they decided not only that they want my husband in the company and they want him in Rock Springs, they picked him first out of the 16 guys there vying for the positions offered. WAY TO GO BABY! I am so proud of my husband and also a bit scared as he will soon be heading to Wyoming and this will open a whole new chapter in the life of our little family. We will be fine, more then fine, as we always are but it will be difficult and in a year or two (depending on school) we will be living in Wyoming. Not exactly my first choice, but I think it will be worth it. I hope this hob is everything my husband wants in a career, as I KNOW he will do awesome and SHINE! I am SO proud of my husband and also so very aware of the blessings that Heavenly Father has given our family. It is amazing to see how he has blessed us time and time again right when we need it. I cannot express the gratitude I have for my Heavenly Father that he has given me and my family so much and that he has blessed me with such a wonderful, devoted, hard-working husband and such amazingly wonderful children.

Park Fun

Hey all, can you believe it? Two in one week! Holy Smokes! This one is less narrative and more pics, cause after all that is what it is all about right? The pics of the kiddos! Who wants to read a long rambling story???? Anyways, some are from yesterday when the kids and I went ourselves to the Riverside Park (Mom's favorite cause there is LOTS of shade!) and the rest are from today when we went to Garland Park with some folks from our ward. Anyways, great fun was had by all! Enjoy!

This is Julia's son Jedidiah, he is just a few months older than Levi and quite the adventurer!

This is Julia's daughter Victoria. Sweet as they come!

Raven and some kids from the ward tossing a ball around, the two bigger boys were throwing the ball as far as they could and making me chase it so I let Raven plat in my place! LOL

Neat pic of Kenzie, I liked the "Frame" aspect of this one, though it would have been better 3-5 seconds earlier, sigh.

My daredevil child, she is about 4 feet from the ground dangling.

Kenzie and Jed playing commerce with rocks, though the Mom's weren't sure of the value system!

Levi at Riverside halfway up the hill, by himself! Another climber I tell ya!

Cutie Pie Raven!

McKenzie heard a rooster crowing and each time would go, "What Da HECK?"

These next three I love as they show how expressive my son is! This is normal for him to be this expressive. He is quite a card and generally has the family laughing over his adorable expressions!

Contemplative.

Curious.

Concerned.

I tell ya this kid LOVES the swing and if this is not enough proof, see the video!

Time to BREATHE!-

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Well for me at least! Adam is going like gangbusters since he decided to go back to college, but since I elected to take the summer off.... AHHH I get a chance to breathe and relax!
I have a clean house, OMG right?? For those of you who know me that is a big surprise huh? How many times have you heard me apologize for the mess or seen that HUGE gargantuan pile of laundry in my laundry room upon entering my back door?? GONE!! Each day there are a few dishes in the sink and a couple loads of laundry to do, but mostly this house is CLEAN Yeah! Now I have time to go on walks with the kids, take them to the park or hang out and watch movies with my sweetheart, when he has time! Oh and I have more time to SLEEP too! YES! Not too long ago I took Levi and Kenzie to the museum on the USU campus (why? you ask... let's just say it is one of those things that HAD to be done) As many of you know Levi is 24 pounds now, NOT easy to pack around so I started out with him in the stroller. Kenzie, while a wonderfully sweet little two-year-old is still after all two and has some of that terrrible two-ness about her and so can get VERY mischievous at times. Now she did WONDERFULLY well, especially considering we were in a museum, be quiet, don't touch where the phrases most often uttered, followed closely by "WHY" in the loudest voice possible I am sure... anyways, she did great not touching anything and being relatively quiet, I mean she was VERY quiet for her but those of you who know my little darling well know how LOUD she is.... hehehe Anyways, She did not touch anything and did great for the first 45 minutes but after that I began to see that little troublesome gleam in her eye and decided it was most prudent to put her in the stroller and pack the 24 pounder a while, now imagine packing a 24 pound squirmer who is quickly getting stronger than you, a notepad and pen and a camera (that you cannot use and was brought basically for no reason) all while pushing a stroller with another almost escapee strapped into it... Fun huh?? Anyways after that we rushed through the rest and made our hasty retreat and I decided that a quick way to get the 5 blocks back to the car was in order and so here is what I came up with....

Cute huh? Stacked kids in a stroller! LOL. Noticed they ARE buckled in... I got a few odd looks from people but I thought it was pretty ingenious! My motto these days is "Whatever works!" This worked well, Kenzie liked helping mom out, though in the picture she wasn't too sure about it yet! I think Levi thought I was crazy, but he gives me that look often so maybe he just knows me too well! Hehe!
Anyways, that was an adventure for sure, but not one I want to repeat anytime soon!

Last night just after dinner Adam stepped outside and quickly called us all out to see the most BEAUTIFUL rainbow I had ever seen! It was bright and brilliant and went from Tremonton to Mid-Garland I am sure. It was a complete rainbow and it was SO cool. It was all McKenzie would talk about after that and when she sleepily stumbled into my room at 4 this morning she was still talking about, "My Rainbow". Here are some pics, but they in NO WAY do it justice!


Other than that there is not a whole lot going on. I am IMPATIENTLY waiting to find out if I made it into the Bridgerland Practical Nursing program or not. I should know by the end of the month but EVERY time I get the mail I just about have a heart attack! I am going NUTS! Everyone thinks I should get in but I am still worried. One of the gals from my ward got in to Weber and I think that is AWESOME, but I had to really work hard to quell that little bit of jealousy that sprang up when she told me. Oh well, I hear those who go to the Applied Tech. colleges for the first year tend to be better nurses. So I will just be a better nurse then I would have otherwise!
The kids are doing awesome. Raven is out of school and already cannot wait to get into second grade. Glad things are still exciting at school for her. I hope it stays that way throughout school for her. She and I seem to be doing better and building a stronger relationship but it takes a LOT of work, that is for sure. One moment of frustration can set me back quite a ways.
McKenzie is doing fantastically as usual! Her newest word is wonderful although when she says it, it comes out "Wunnerful" This she says as she enthusiatically spins around in circles and tells me, "Wunnerful Mom, it's Wunnerful!" She is definitely the one Heavenly Father blessed me with to remind me to laugh and enjoy life. She is not like Raven and I, we are both so serious and we take life seriously and at times we forget to laugh and smile and just enjoy the simple things in life, McKenzie gives that to me. Such a blessing she is to me!
Levi, my growler, is crawling like greased lightening and is attempting to walk with assistance, and has stood unassisted a couple of times, but mostly if he doesn't have something to grab onto he chickens out and sits, silly boy! I think he is going to be another climber like his sister Kenzie though because the other day at the park he was sitting beside me and then next thing you know he has climbed up to the TOP of my jogging stroller, all on his own... hmmmm.
Of course this was likely in response to watching his sister climb at the Roy park. You see they have one of those ladder like things that turn sideways at the top and have like four arms (not making much sense right?) just know that this is an object that BEGS to be climbed upon. The place in the picture where McKenzie's feet are is about even with the top of her aunt Becky's head, meaning she is about 5'9" up in the air! Aunt Becky did monitor and slightly assist this climb but still the bravery of a 2-year-old attempting this one?? YIKES and this was not one that she did once, no this was like 3 times until we distracted her....
And to top you off I will end with some photos of the kids... cause you NEVER can get enough photos right??

At Lady and Pop's House... Notice the wonderfully dirty faces? My kids LOVE dirt, and I am WAY cool with that! LOL
Awesome Rolex Shirts that Nonni sent to the kids, the girls shirts say, "Future Contender", cute right??
Ignore the ugly, tired mom look, but isn't the kid adorable?

One a week????

Ya right! I know I know I know I said I would do one a week... and the last I did was in November. Sad day. Sorry all... Actually I should say Sarah cause I think that really you are the only one that reads my blogs. I think I am ok with that though. Anyways, life is crazy and I am ALWAYS busy and when I am NOT I want to be PLAYING with my kids, not blogging, or doing laundry or dishes or sweeping or mopping or... or... or... which is likely why my house is a disgrace right now... But do you want to know something interesting?? I DON'T CARE! No really. I know that people sometimes say that but you know it really does bother them they just want to make it seem like they don't but seriously I don't. You see I have 4 classes till April, and another one starting next Wednesday and the bad thing is I procrastinated on my two that were self paced and now I am like BOGGED down and so housework right now is like one of those things that I just really don't have time or energy to waste on, not even the energy to care or stress about them. In fact I should be sleeping or studying right now... so I think I am going to... but I was feeling like I should post SOMETHING just so I can say my blog has made it to 2010... then maybe soon I can get on here and tell you all about Raven's interesting birthday and rant about Obama and his healthcare... stupid crazy liberal progressives... or vent about my frustrations with life or tell you about how proud I am of myself these last few months and tell you how I am living day to day and happier then ever (what depression?) but at the same time feeling like I have lost my greatest connection to my husband.... from that or from the mountain... or to tell you about THAT debacle.... or.... or.... or.... Perhaps this is like my journal....

Happy Birthday my Little Sissy-Pants-and-Bugaboo!

New boots...

Yes she got two of the same toy... the extra is going to Angel Tree in her name!

Took her a minute but once she figured it out opening gifts is FUN!

The birthday girl!

Wow it is amazing to think that my beautiful little Mckenzie is now 2!! My precious princess whose smile will light up a room and whose laugh brightens my days is growing and growing! It seems like just a week ago we brought home this little bundle that so scared my big husband and now she is climbing everything, leaping from every height she can find and stealing hearts wherever she can! Happy birthday my sweet little one and thank you for coming into our family and bringing your wonderful spirit into our lives! You are truly special and I love you so much!

Halloween

Telling dad all about it!!!

Sad pumpkin...

Happy witch..

Grumpy witch...

Happy pumpkin...

Finished product!

Levi watching the pumpkin masters at work...

Guts....

guts....

guts...

and more guts!!!!

(Sorry guys they all go in backwards!)

Being thankful...

In the rush and bustle of daily life I often forget to be thankful. Sure I usually give the prayer at dinner and am thankful then, but as my mother likes to say, dinner prayer is not the time to pontificate! Also I am thankful in my nightly prayers, but often I find myself lost when trying to say nightly prayers, and isn't it good to just be thankful always? So with a HUGE pile of laundry that I am not wanting to do, and a pouting 6-year-old upstairs feeling picked on that she has to clean her own room (gasp) and quiet in the house with sleeping babies I think it is time for me to go over what I am thankful for.

#1 - A fantastic husband who works so hard and goes to work everyday no matter how tired or sick he may be. A husband who works hard to give me and my children a wonderful home and the things we desire and good food for our table. I am thankful for a husband who understands me and is willing to listen when I need to vent, or cry and lifts me up when I feel blue. I am thankful for a husband who does not expect me to be perfect but loves me for who I am. I am thankful that I have a husband who thinks I am a wonderful wife and TELLS ME SO! I am thankful that I have a husband who thinks I am a good mother even when I don't and tells me so. I am thankful that my husband is caring and sweet, in his own way. I am thankful that my husband is a good father who tries his best with his kids and adores them. I am thankful that my husband wants to come home to his family every night and doesn't go out to the bar or out with friends every night. I am thankful that my husband finds me beautiful and sexy even though I don't feel that way.

#2 - I am thankful that I have a beautiful, interesting, headstrong little 6-year-old, yes I am thankful for this because it means that she will latch onto what she wants and go for it wholeheartedly. I am thankful that she loves me despite my difficulties in mothering her. I am thankful that she is so dynamic and loving. I am thankful that she is friendly and outgoing and isn't shy. I am thankful that she is not afraid to ask for what she wants and I am thankful that she is so helpful and willing. I am thankful that she is with me and that I do not have to share her. I am thankful that she has my mother to turn to when I don't understand her.

#3 - I am thankful that I have a fun loving and adventerous two-year-old who loves to climb and get into everything and is enthralled with life. I am thankful that despite my many fumblings with this child she still adores me and still loves to cuddle. I am thankful that she has her father's temperment and can easily let things roll off her back unlike Raven and I. I am thankful that she brings a smile to my face everyday and reminds me to not be so serious and helps me lighten up.

#4 - I am thankful that I have a HEALTHY, happy little baby boy who is growing so fast I can barely pack him around. I am thankful that he is not behind and that he loves to see my face so much that he stops crying when I am near.

#5 - I am thankful that I can stay home and do my schooling and that I have a job that I can do while my babies sleep so that I can be with them when they need me. I am thankful that I am intelligent enough to do my schoolwork and that I have the chance to become a nurse.

#6 - I am thankful for my health and my family's health. I am thankful for our home and I am thankful for our friends. I am thankful that I live in such a wonderful ward and I am thankful that I live in the land of the free. I am thankful that I have a relationship with God and Jesus and that I have the Holy Ghost to help me along each day. I am thankful that I can soon go to the Temple and I am thankful to know that I am not alone and that I have help.

#7 - I am thankful for my mother, that we have a close relationship and that we are able to forgive each other for past hurts. I am thankful that she understands me and is willing to offer advice and help even if I am not able to hear it or take it at the time. I am thankful that she loves me enough that she will rearrange her life to help me in my ultimate times of need and I am thankful that I have her in my children's lives.

#8 - I am thankful that my mother has found a man who loves her so much and does so much to make her happy and is willing to change his life around for me as well and be ok with my mom not seeing him so she can be with me. I am thankful that this amazing man is part of my life and is willing to teach me the things he knows and I am thankful that both of these wonderful people are in my life and that they are proud of me.

#9 - I am thankful that I have been able to let go of my hurt and forgive my father and I am thankful that he and I have a relationship, no matter how small. I am thankful that he wants to be in my childrens lives and is as much as he is able. I am thankful that he is happy where he is, even if it is not what I want for him. I am thankful that he has a grandson close as I know kids are his heart.

#10 - I am thankful that my husbands family has accepted me and loves me and my children.

#11 - I am thankful that I have friends who let me drop in on them and help me so much and forgive me that I am not a good friend.

#12 - I am thankful that I got to see my grandpa on his birthday before he died and I am thankful to know that he is with my grandmother and that they likely have gotten past the hurt by now.

#13 - I am thankful that I have my family together and that I get to see them everyday and that I can speak with my extended family whenever I want here or on the phone and I am thankful that my family is happy and that they are achieving their dreams.

#14 - I am thankful that my brother is in the military and is defending our country. I am thankful that he will get to be a pilot as he so wants to be.

#15 - I am thankful to the troops now and in the past who have defended our country and kept us free. I am thankful for their sacrifices and that of the missionaries.

Thank you all and thank you God.