Answers to prayers....

For us this past year has been rough. We signed papers on our house last April and as much as it felt right...man things really seemed to go wrong! It was just one thing after another...moving had it's issues, carpet, broken bones, surgery, bad insurance, bad jobs, car problems...the list goes on. But we've tried to do what we've felt is right and somehow we got through it. We love our ward, house and neighbors...it really felt like this is where we should be, so we said our prayers and tried to do the right things, hoping it would work out. Well... everything is not perfect...but it feels like things are starting to fall into place. So I'll start with my job- I saw a listing online at Mountain View Hospital for a Full time night LPN. I have NO desire to work full time and it seriously stressed me out. I prayed about it and felt like I should apply...even if I could just get an interview and maybe get to know the supervisor for possible future jobs. but when I got the call for an interview I cried. seriously...I was so stressed! Full time=bad mother. I can't handle it. I knew I couldn't. But I tried to stay positive. The morning of the interview...I cried again, me and Adam were bickering. I was so stressed. I almost didn't go but I still felt like I should. So I go in and sit down and the first thing she says is, "I have to apologize and if you don't want to continue with the interview I would understand, but the position was listed wrong...it's only for Regular Part Time, 2 days a week." I felt like crying again. I was so relieved. And when they offered me a job...I just knew that someone else had a hand in it. So I'm very excited. It's full benefits, so in 90 days we will have better insurance! Adams is so bad, SO SO SO bad. It's a huge relief. Plus at Madison where I work now...I've worked maybe 4 days in the last month...that doesn't really help us pay our bills so well. So it will take us awhile to catch up for sure...but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm excited, scared, relieved, and nervous! but more then anything I feel so blessed. we finally have some stability! So that's what's going on with me!
-Adam is doing great! Just working and keeping busy. Not a whole lot new with him...I am starting my spring to-do list for him. :) I can't believe the amount of work we have to do on the yard...it gives me a headache thinking about it. It sort of got neglected last year! So if it would ever quit snowing and get above 40 degrees...maybe we could get something done!

Mady is doing good! She's been really emotional lately...she goes in spurts with it I guess. But she's doing good in school. I was kind of nervous because lady that has been working with Mady in the school district told me she felt like she'd probably met all her goals and wouldn't qualify for next year and that we should consider putting her in kindergarten. I felt like this was another answer to a prayer... but I really felt like she wasn't ready. I truly feel like keeping her back this extra year will be good for her, if we can get her in a good program. So they did some testing with her and told me this week they will keep her in through next year. I think it's great! she needs it. So she had another dance performance last week and did great. Dance is coming to an end and she will start gymnastics in June. We're signing her up for T-ball and swim lessons...so it will be a busy summer. Noah is going to do a boys tumbling class I think and we have him in pre-school for Fall. I can't believe it. He is going to be 3! He's still our little monster! love that kid! It's so funny how my fears for my kids are so similar in some ways and so different in others. Mady is so sensitive...I worry about kids being mean to her and her not even realizing it. She is so naive. She thinks the world revolves around her which is great...she's got good confidence...but she's so tender hearted. I feel like she is going to be that girl that will have to learn the hard way that not everyone is nice. And as a mommy...i want to protect her from it. She is so sweet and her feelings get hurt so easy. Noah on the other hand...I know he can hold his own. i worry more about him being the bully. He says exactly what's on his mind. It's crazy how even as young as they are you can see glimpses of their personalities. I think he will pick good friends...he's very outgoing and outspoken. I worry about Mady being a follower...she's just wants everyone to like her. She's too nice to tell mean girls where to go, unlike my son or myself. :) And I worry about the world affecting both of them too much! I just pray that we can keep the spirit in our home and that it will be a place they love to be; and most importantly that they will always know they are children of God. I just want them to always feel loved and know who they are. My friend JaLayn told me that kids are like cups...we spend so many years just filling their cup with water. Making them believe in and love themselves. then they go to school and someone is mean to them. It's like pricking a hole in the cup. they get a bad grade...another hole and so on. Before you know it, their cup is leaking out and it's our job every day it patch it up and refill it. I think that is so true. It is so important to keep their confidence up and make sure they know how much they are loved! I know they are young...but am I the only one that has these crazy fears? Kids bring out so many worries...
Anyhow...some pictures of Aubrey's b-day...I can't believe she is 16! She was 5 yrs old when me and Adam started dating. She has turned into such an amazing girl! These are some pics of her surprise party.
We took some flowers to her at school.




Anyhow...I know this post was long so I won't drag it out. But tomorrow is also our Anniversary! 8 years ago I married my best friend and joined an amazing family! I feel so grateful and love him so much!!! I know that with him we can get through anything...sometimes we have to fight a little to get there...:) but we always do! I love you Adam!!!

Life goes on...

So it seems that time is passing so quickly! I can't believe I haven't posted since January. I have to ask myself if I'm enjoying every day as much as I can. I think sometimes I get too consumed with worrying or thinking ahead, or stressing about the "future"...I need to stop and slow down. I think that's one of my biggest faults, and I'm going to regret it if I don't STOP IT! lol. It's just hard some days... I have lots of dreams and worries...and most of you know that patience was never one of my best qualities. :) Anyhow...we've been doing good; continuing on with life. I think an update with pictures is the best way to go! :)

So my b-day was on Feb 3rd and I'd worked the night before...when I got up I woke up to this:


My sweet hubby and kids decorated for me. The kids were SO excited for me to wake up. :) I turned 27 and I feel so old! ha ha. I'm way too close to 30. I thought I'd have all my kids by the time I was 30! But I don't think that's happening. It's funny how we had all these dreams and goals set...but life has a way of changing them for you. But overall I am happy with where we are at. I wish I had a better job and insurance, I wish I didn't have to work at all! I wish My kids didn't fight... etc... I have a lot of wishes, but I'm happy with the "essentials", or the things that matter. I have a good marriage and amazing kids and we all have a lot of fun together. We have the gospel and there's not much more we can ask for!
Noah got a hair cut!

My Boys! (Noah with his hair all cute):)

Super Bowl Sunday always falls on the weekend of my b-day...so we had Adam's sisters and their families over. It was a lot of fun...we spread lots of germs! ha ha. Or well...our germy kids did. Mady got croup...again. for what, the 4th time this year? ugh. So did Jamie's little boy, and her new baby was in the hospital with RSV! Where is SPRING?!! I can't wait for my kids to be outside playing instead of inside FIGHTING!
We had a good Valentine's day. I decorated for the kids, which they loved.

Then we made some treats and took them to Grandma Kelli & Adam at work with balloons.

Then we came home and Mady helped me make Daddy a double layer german chocolate cake; his favorite. And we dipped strawberries; MY favorite! :)

We did steak, shrimp and veggies for dinner! it was really yummy!

Daddy brought us home treats and the kids balloons. It was a good day. :)
the kids got their little presents and we just had a fun night!


Mady has started riding the bus to school. Not that she really needs too, we live really close and I've always taken her. but she has asked every day...never fail, to ride the bus. So I finally let her. It just seemed dumb for her to take a 1/2 hr bus ride when I can take her up there. But she loves it...:) That's all that matters.

Other then that...we've mixed in another couple dance performances. Mady loves it, of course. we've got 2 more in March and a recital in February. She always does so good, and looks completely adorable. :)



I just had to add in this picture of Adam with the icicles on our house!

ha ha. Some days they were so huge! But I'm happy! cuz that means it's melting. The kids have had lots of fun in the snow...but we're ready for it to be gone. The snow is so deep in our yard we've had to shovel paths for the kids or they get stuck. They've lost boots and we have to go dig them out! ha ha. Some spots in our yard are as deep as Noah is tall! So it will take awhile for all this to melt...but like I said...we are SO ready. Anyhow....on goes life right? Me and Adam are getting away for a night this week...just to Montana for his work stuff. But it will be nice. :) It's been a long time since we've done that. I feel like we are in a need of a break! Well hope that someone, somewhere is enjoying sunshine and seeing their grass!!!