Change of Plans....Er, I mean What now?

After a lot of waiting and hoping we found out that Clint isn't going back to Ogden.  At first we were upset and shocked, but now, after some time has passed, we are ok with it.  It would have been great and it would have saved us lots of money, but it wasn't in the plan.  Now we are trying to figure out what is.  Do we stay or do we go.....And IF we go, where?  We have lots of questions, but no answers.  At times it's really frustrating, but we have chosen to look at things bit differently.  There is a reason he didn't get hired and that means there is another door that needs to be open.  So we are searching and praying, going to the temple a lot to figure things out.  In the mean time here are some of the blessings we have;

• a beautiful garden with produce that is growing
• a great ward
• great friends
• a good school the kids are at for now
• a home to live in with reasonable rent

Basically, we can choose to be angry and upset by the situation, which won't change the outcome and make us miserable, or we can choose to let the Lord guide us and be patient with His timing and His ways.  Don't get me wrong, we aren't perfect we have those days when we are confused as to why he wasn't hired, but the calm ones out last the later.

You Are Worth It!

Life is truly amazing my friends!  With every new person I meet I am reminded just how awesome people can be.  I know the reality, I know that not every person is great, but I also know that every person is a child of God.  I'm reading this great book right now that says just that, I'm paraphrasing, "remember that every person you meet is a child of God and it will change how you see them".  I've been told this my whole life, but right now in my life I'm really trying to implement it.  What has it done for me?  Well...It's helped me find forgiveness for those who have wronged me, it has helped me be more patient with my children and husband, it makes me look at the people at the grocery store who have tattoos and piercings all over their body differently, it reminds me to smile and appreciate others as I people watch and it helps me to judge less.  What it has helped me with the most right now, is it reminds me to see me differently, that I am a child of God and worth it.

We all have our bad days and our own personal struggles.  Since my baby was born I have been challenged with various feelings and remembering my own divinity has helped me overcome these feelings.  I won't lie, it helps to have great people remind you that you are great and someone worth loving.  So if you're like me, and having one of "those" days, take a moment to look around you and strive to see the beauty in where you are right now, in who you are right now, because you will never be who you are right now ever again and that is a good thing.  Take time to appreciate what the Lord has blessed you with and what he has not blessed you with.

May you find joy in your own journey today!

Being okay with Change

Clint had an interview last week for a new job.  We have waited for this moment for a long time, and now, it's finally here.  The funny thing though is neither one of us feels anxious about it.  We fasted and prayed that his interview would go well, we've talked about it to death before he went, he worked on his resume for weeks and when the time finally came we both felt we had done all we could.  Now it's in the hands of the Lord.  It's kind of strange being here, at this point.  Six years ago we moved here with intent on staying for only a few years, now our life is very different than it was and a few years turned into a undisclosed amount of time. Five years ago I had a total freak out moment and since then I have learned many powerful lessons one of which is to just rely on Him.  there is so much I can't control and the more I try the more crazy I become.  I like being in the place in my life, to know that no matter what the Lord will provide a way.  If Clint gets the job we'll be in the area for a while longer, like 2-3 years more.  If he doesn't than we start praying about what next, where do we go next.  That might mean moving out of state or to another place in UT, either way I know that everything will be alright.  If this door doesn't open to us, He will open another one.  That's a nice thing to know and finally understand .

Reflections

I've been looking through old photos of my children and it makes me long for those days again.  Not the tantrum throwing or potty training or any of "those"days, but the days where they were young and adorably cute with their cute little voices and funny sayings.  Then...I realized that I really like this new place too.  I like that my oldest is becoming more independent and reliable.  I like that my oldest son is reading books and liking them as well as being willing to explore new avenues in his life.  I will admit I don't like the age 3 very much and all that comes with it, but I will say that watching my youngest son figure out his way through those hard times and watching his brain work and figure things out is remarkable and I look forward to him NOT being 3 any more.  I love that my baby is still so small and IS my baby, even if she is almost 17 months now.  I love that she is only 18.5 lbs, still fits into 12 month clothes, just barely stopped nursing and still sits rear-facing in the car.  So, while I sometimes long for those days I am really happy for the direction we are headed.

I love how it feels

I went running today.  It's been a long time since I've actually ran consistently.  In no way do I think 2 days in a row is consistent, but it's a start.  I was thinking about this idea while I was out, constancy, why is it so hard?  Truly to be successful in anything we need be consistent.  That thought led me to thinking about the blisters on the bottom of my foot and the uneven sidewalk I tripped over and the pain shooting up the back of my legs that tell me they are done, but not to stop.  All of things could be excuses to stop and in the past I may have let a few of them become just that.  However, this time I WANT it to be different, I WANT to keep going.  That idea got me pondering WHY?!  Why do I WANT it this time when so many times before I didn't.  Then I remembered, Once upon a time I did want it.  I lost so much weight and I was really excited and then I found out that I was having a baby, that was two babies ago. (=  Now, after an incredibly emotional 2 years I am in a better place in my head.  Now I am willing to be more consistent.  I'm not just talking about being consistent with loosing weight and exercising, but with everything from reading my scriptures, reading up lifting material or books that I have wanted to read far a long time to telling my children I love them more and holding them tight without feeling rushed to try to get another thing done.

Today I watched as the sun evaporated a cloud right out of the sky, I watched a mother bird with her babies, I felt the cool breeze blow when the sun was beating down on me and I heard the song of the birds in the trees.  All of these things helped me remember what a remarkable world we live in and how thankful that one is much greater than I created it for me and is all was consistent, even when I am not.

2013 Year in Review

In the back of my mind I knew I still had a blog, to be honest, I had forgotten about it for a long time now. At the end of what has been a very different year for us, I am ready to write about it.
I am so thankful this year for the Priesthood in my home and family.  I am thankful for inspired people who invent such marvelous things to help people and save others lives.  I am thankful for love; love of others who we never knew and will never know who prayed for us and many who still keep us in their thoughts, love for others, love from my children and spouse and love of family.  I am thankful to know that family isn't always blood.
It's weird to think about this time last year, when I was preparing to bring home a little girl in a couple months.  I can't believe she'll be 11 months on Monday.  It's weird to think of time before her, as if she has always been.
Kaily is such a great sister to all of the siblings.  She helps out and is a big tease as well.  Conner is so serious and cracks everyone up when he's not trying to.  Corbin is starting to talk more clear and is thirsty for knowledge.  Kambrie is growing too fast and she brightens up any room.  Each of them are such a joy to me.  I saw a sign the other day that read, "I didn't know how much love my heart could hold until they placed you in my arms."  That's how I feel everyday about my kids.  I'm not going to win any awards on being the most talented, creative, soft spoken or well behaved mom in the world, but my kids know I love them and I do the best I can.
I hope this new year brings each of you the happiest of memories and that you find dreams to make come true.

Vindication

I love it when I have thought something all along and then find out that I was right.  We got a call from the allergist today with the boys results.  The blood work they did only tested them for the most common food and household allergies, none of the grass, weeds or tree hay-fever type allergies.  It turns out that Corbin just has hay-fever most of the year and is not allergic to any food or common animal.  Conner, on the other hand, while not allergic to any common animal and not allergic to most food, he is allergic to peanuts.  When he was 18 months old we gave him some peanut butter and he developed a rash.  I decided to not give him any peanuts from that point on, not really knowing if that was the reason for the reaction.  When he was 2 he ate some M&M's, just the plain ones, but again he got a little rash on his face.  So we drilled it into his head that he could NOT have peanuts and figured we get him tested when he got older.  He recently ate some plain M&M's again and he was fine.  I've been less safe with the peanut butter, but he still doesn't eat it.  It's nice to know that my mother's instinct was right all along.  He did say that we could just keep doing what we're doing with him and have the Epi pen on hand just in case.

Alergies

Don't fall over cuz I did two posts in a row...

These cute boys of mine suffer from allergies.  I know how miserable my brother and I were growing up so today I took them to see an allergist. He took one look in their noses and said, "yep they have allergies."  He gave me a nasal spray and told me to keep giving them children's Claritin.  He also said to come back in 2 weeks for the results of some blood work he would like to run.  So we went to the lab and I felt like the worst mom EVER because I had to hold them down while this lady took some of their blood.  I was so proud of how brave they both tried to be.  Corbin kicked the lady in the shins while she was doing Conner, defending him against her.  I hate it when my kids cry and have to go through hard things.  It makes me ever so grateful for a loving father who has had to endure more heartache than I can even imagine.  It makes me want to say thank you in so many ways.  Hopefully we can figure out what they are allergic to and hope that I can always help them.

Changes

This year seems to be about change.  As many of you know Kambrie was born on Jan 23.  It's been a ride so far with her, but we are so excited that she is doing so well. Clint graduated from Weber State in April and we are both supper excited to be done there.  He might go on to get a Master's but that's a bit down the road.  Kaily finished the 2nd grade with top scores in Reading and Science.  She is looking forward to a summer filled with Girl Scout camps and family reunions.  Conner graduated from Preschool and is so excited to go to Kindergarten this fall.  Corbin got tubes placed in his ears and will start speech therapy sometime soon.  There's noting new for me, just trying to keep up with everyone else.

A few weeks ago we were able to bless Kambrie and baptize Kaily.  It was a great day filled with lots of family and friends.  I can't believe my baby is 8 now.  I was looking at the kids her age that are in her primary class and remembering when they were all in nursery together.  It made me tear up as I saw the great people they are becoming.  We have been in this house for 5 years now, way longer than we thought we would, and it's been a great thing for us.  This year, however, we are planning on moving.  We don't know where or when yet.  All we know is sometime between now and a year from now.  Out little house is getting too small for us and this family.

A New Year

2012 in Review...

Many of you received our Christmas newsletter, so I won't bore you with the same details, rather I would like to focus on goals accomplished this past year and new things to come for 2013.

Kaily finished soccer and chose not to play again.  She bridged from Daisy scout to Brownie scout in Girl  Scouts and was able to receive most of her badges.  She reads at a 3rd grade level and is a great friend.  Her goals this year are to be baptized a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, improve her math and science skills as well as choosing a variety of books from the library.

Conner started preschool and is doing great!  His accomplishments for 2012 are that he learned to write his name all by himself, has started reading basic books and tried a variety of new foods.  His goals for 2013 are that he would like to continue to improve his writing and reading skills.  He also, reluctantly, agreed to continue trying new foods is new ways.  He wants to be ready for Kindergarten in the Fall.

Corbin accomplished lots of fun things this past year being that he just turned 2.  We are excited that his speech is improving and we can actually understand what he is trying to say,  He learned how to do somersaults, jump with both feet and his new favorite thing, besides my phone is to color.  In 2013 I'm sure he'll amaze us even more as he continues to grow.

Clint finished another year of school and in 2013 he will finally graduate.  He beat his time on the sprint triathlon we did in Snowflake this past fall and would like to beat his time again with another one.  He improved on his painting/drawing skills and is excited to start creating his own work.  In 2013 he would like to graduate and perhaps get a different job within the church.

I ran a half marathon pregnant this year, did part of a triathlon pregnant and have grown, from what we can tell, a healthy little girl that is due to be born in February.  This year I would like to read more and watch movies and tv less.  I would like to loose my baby weight before the end of next year, maybe run a 5k or something come the fall.  I would like to yell less at my kids and be more understanding.  However, while these goals are all great the truth is, I'm having a baby and if I can accomplish at least 2 of these I will be a happy mama.

Stay posted for pics and more things to come as the year progresses.

August/Sept recap part 2

In August Clint's mom came up for a week to help Clint's brother out while they went on a trip.  While they were gone Clint decided to help his mom build them a chicken coop.  It took them a while. but they finally got it built.  I wish I had a picture of the finished product.

This was just one day out there, they were actually out there for 3 days wking on this.  The last picture shows where the nesting boxes are.

The second weekend in Sept we did our annual 1k walk/run or 5k race with members of our church in our area.  Clint did the 5k this year and came in 5th overall for his age.  the kids and I just did the 1k.  Kaily ran it really fast and came in 3rd for her age, Conner was just behind her.  I was a few people behind them b/c I was pushing Corbin in the stroller.  I had no intention of running it this year, but I did do better than last year with it.

He says he was too slow b/c he only ran an 7.5-8 min mile.  Everyone else around him just looked at him funny when he said that.  He says next time, if there is a next time, he'll be faster.

August/September recap

Kaily and Conner started school and they are both loving it!

Kaily is doing great in Second grade.  Her favorite thing is Art, like her dad, and her most dreaded subject, Math.  She is really good at math though.

Conner goes to a neighborhood preschool and is reading great.  He is working on his writing skills and, although he doesn't it like it, he has a good attitude about it.  His favorite thing is playing with his friends.

Corbin and I like hanging out together while the other two are in school.  Sometimes we go to the gym and other times we run errands.  Conner is in school 2 times a week and we take advantage of it.

I've been doing a lot of canning and preserving of our garden.  I don't have any pics of it all, but so far I have  done...

• 62 Quarts or so of peaches and frozen 15
• 15 pints of salsa
• 35 Quarts of zucchini chopped, shredded, or sliced
• 7 quarts and 5 pints of spaghetti sauce

Our garden is still producing peppers and tomatoes.  It has been a great year in the garden and we are truly grateful for all we have received.

On Sept 1 Clint and I did a triathlon.  I don't have any pics of that either.  Clint did great, he beat his old time, but he wants to try for an even better time.  I did a relay with my sister in law and mother in law.  I rode the bike and killed myself.  It felt great and I can't wait to do it again.  I don't know that I want to do the whole thing, but I wouldn't mind doing a relay again.  After the tri we had the annual Willis Taco party.  Great food, good company and lots of memories.

In August Kaily and I did a mom and me camp for Girl Scouts.  We had a great time ridding horses, making new friends and learning new crafts. 

Tomatoes

We love our tomatoes around here during the Summer.  We have at least 8 plants in our garden.  Kaily loves the Sun Sugar, Conner doesn't like any and Clint and I love them all.  I picked our first softball size tomato a few days ago and placed it on the counter to eat with sandwiches later that day.  I then went to do laundry and some other things downstairs.  Clint was with me and when he went upstairs this is what he found...

Apparently, Corbin likes ALL tomatoes!  The tomato he is eating is the softball size one I had been saving.  

This is a daily scene these days at our house if I don't put the tomatoes out of reach.

My Little Chatterbox

For a long time we couldn't get Conner to talk. Last year we saw lots of specialists to help us out and found out he couldn't hear very well because of water in his ears.  We had tubes put in and immediately he started to sound better.  That was a year ago and now we can't get him to stop talking.  He loves to tell us stories and if you ask him about a movie he has seen he will quote it in its entirety.  He loves to tell us jokes, even if they don't make much sense.  We drove to SLC last week and I think he talked the entire time, all 45 min of the drive.  I don't know what he said, he talks so much I have a hard time paying attention all the time.  What I do know is, that I am VERY grateful he is talking and expressing himself.  It's been a long road to here and I am thankful to have made it.  Every now and then we still have some speech problems, but if I have him slow down I can usually correct him.

The Utah Valley Half

I signed up for the Utah Valley Half marathon back in February thinking it would motivate me to loose weight and train.  I did really good until I got tendinitis in my Achilles tendon.  Then when that was all healed I started running again until I pulled a muscle in my neck.  That set me back a few months.  Oh well, the run was coming and I wasn't going to back out of it.  So my childhood friend Heather joined me on the morning of June 9 at 4 am to run 13.1 miles.  We didn't do as well as I would have liked, but we finished and that's what's important.  We had a great time doing it though!

Riding the bus up the canyon

Waiting in line to pee the sun was coming up over the moutnain

Getting ready to start

Bridal Veil Falls

Such a beautiful run!

Coming down the homestretch

We made it!

Garden Update

Kale, this is remarkable easy to grow.  I don't think I'll plant so much next time.  A little bit of this plant goes along way

Our first broccoli head.

All four broccoli plants

Spinach and strawberries

Our fist signs of tomatoes.  This plant is my Fourth of July, we love these!

May at a glance...  We've been so busy around here having fun that I haven't wanted to blog.  Her are some pics that tell what we've been up to

Kaily was a Zombie for her end of the year Opera

The kids did everything for their opera, it was well done and very cute!

Kaily finished soccer this year.  We won't do it again next year, she wants to try dance.

We went to the zoo with Amy and her kids

Yummy Strawberries!

Kaily learned to ride her bike

I LOVE Spring!

The blossoms on the peach tree are out, the tulips are in bloom, my kale is coming up as well as the spinach, peas are popping up and broccoli is growing.  Soon there will be tomatoes, peppers and other things I haven't decided on yet.

peach blossoms

kale

Broccoli

Spinach

ouch

Last week I was working out and it was fantastic!  I felt SO good when we finished.  Tired and a little shaky, but good.  I went on with the day and still felt really good.  The next morning I woke up and couldn't move.  It felt like I had been hit by a bus or some other large vehicle.  I iced the area and took some pain meds.  One week later and I'm seing a Chiropractor due to migraines and other debilitating effects.  It's crazy what the mind can do.  In talking things over with the Dr. we've come to the conclusion that this pain is largely due to muscle memory.  I've been in 5 car accidents in my life, it's amazing I'm still here.  The pain I'm experiencing is akin to whiplash, with out the disc malfunction.  So, when I said I felt like I had been hit, my body actually was remembering being hit in 5 different ways.  The pain is really due to some strained muscles from my workout, but the reaction is muscle memory.

Enjoying family time

 There is nothing better than being with family!