Steve

Something happened today that I want to write down before I forget.

In October the women were challenged by President Nelson to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I began this task and admittedly wasn't doing the very best at it. As I continued to try December began and I realized I was further behind then I should be. I cracked down and spent every extra second trying to finish the book. This blessed my life in several ways throughout the month. I began to have more patience with my family, felt the spirit more, been more giving, and been able to accomplish the things I have set out to do. We have been working harder at having family prayer at night and talking more about the gospel in our home. January marks the beginning of the 2 hour church block and the "home based learning" we are doing. This month as I have been praying at night, I have asked to be more aware of those around me. To be in tune with the spirit and be an instrument in the Lords hands and do as He would have me do. Living in Utah County, the opportunity to serve is few and far between because there are so many members living here. Especially during the holidays people are more willing to help and serve so things are even more difficult to find.

The day after Christmas, we were cleaning the house and packing things away. Zach left on an errand and a knock came to the door. I NEVER answer my front door if I don't know who is there and even more so when Zach is not home. So I looked out the peep hole and checked the camera and didn't recognize the person on the other side of the door. I watched as he walked away across the road and sat on the pile of rocks near the railroad tracks. I noticed him sitting on the ground next to his van and I watched for a few more minutes and saw him wipe tears from his eyes. My heart began to burn and I knew I had to do something. Let me repeat, I NEVER would do this. I walked out in to the cold and over to the man. I knelt down next to him and asked what was wrong. He looked up with tears in his eyes and said "why does life have to be so hard?" We talked for a few minutes and I asked what I could do to help him. His van had run out of gas and he was on hard times. I thought for a minute to see how I would be able to get him gas, but unable to leave my children, and not being able to invite the man in to my car, I wasn't sure what to do. Suddenly a women in another car stopped behind us and asked if we needed help. I explained the situation to her and she said she would be able to get gas. I ran back inside to get our gas can and venmo-ed her some money for the gas. She left and I went inside to get my spare cash and some cookies for this man. I walked back over to him and we talked again. He was in a rough spot and told me how lonely his Christmas had been. I offered a hug and as I stretched out my arms he fell in to my shoulder and began to sob. We sat there silently for two minutes while he cried. When he sat back up, he offered his name and asked mine. We spoke for a few more minutes before the woman returned and we filled up his car. He again wiped the tears away, thanked us and continued on to his job.

I came inside and cried myself. I had been praying to be able to help someone and the Lord delivered Steve literally to my doorstep the day after Christmas. I have such a testimony that the Lord listens and answers my prayers, even the smallest ones. I know that if we continue to pray, read our scriptures and do as we are ask, the Lord will open up his blessings for us. He will put us in positions to help those in need and we will feel those blessings as well.

This year Zach and I have been in a better place financially and been able to help in several different ways to "pay it forward" for those that blessed our lives a few Christmas's ago. We remember being down on our luck and struggling and for those amazing saints that lightened our load in so many different ways. It has been so much more fulfilling and my heart has been so full this season. There wasn't really anything under the tree for me yesterday but I was so content and happy.

Madison's broken finger.... a surgery story

On Monday, September 24 we celebrated Kid Appreciation Day. A personal holiday we celebrate as a family. A good friend lost her son at age three and every year we take the entire day off to remember him and hold our babies a little tighter. This year was Madison's first day in full time school so we thought she could take the day off to make it extra special. We spent the day at the Children's Museum in Lehi. Had lunch with Mimi and did anything and everything our kids wanted to do. It was a blast! When we arrived home, as I was getting Braden out of his carseat, I heard a scream. It was Madi. She said she slammed her finger in the door and it wasn't until I rushed around to the other side of the car to realize the door had completely closed on her finger. OUCH! We ran inside the house to grab ice and facetime Daddy. Just then my friend Kara walked through the door. My gut said take her to the ER and so I quickly told me friend to stay with Braden and rushed her to the emergency room.

Once there they gave her some pain medication and an x ray. She finally began to calm down and we snuggled in the hospital room while we waited for results. The doctor came in and told us she had an open fracture just above the top knuckle on her right thumb. It is considered an "open fracture" because the skin is broken above the fracture.... not because the bone is sticking out. None the less, they gave her an antibiotic for the next 10 days, wrapped it up, and told us to follow with a hand doctor.

I left late Wednesday night for a girls trip to New York I had planned many months previous. Thursday she had her follow up appointment with Dr. Fraser. He checked the scans and decided she needed surgery. THE NEXT DAY! WHILE I WAS IN NEW YORK! Zach called me and I cried A LOT. I was going to miss my daughters first surgery and for whatever reason felt like this was my fault and felt like a horrible mother for being on a girls trip when this all happened. I know she was in good hands with Zach being there but it just isn't the same. She was scheduled for surgery Friday morning and as I wandered around the city, my mind could only think of my scared little girl. While she was in surgery we were roller blading and I fell and bruised the HELL out of my hands. So at least if I couldn't be there I would feel her pain on some level right? Zach finally called to let me know she was out of surgery and waking up. She was crying and wanted her mom. I was in the middle of Time Square and couldn't hear anything but could see her little crying face. I quickly jumped in a cab to be able to hear and talk to her. She wanted me to sing a song and it took everything in me to hold it together and try and sing and calm her down. Then the minute I hung up I burst in to tears, sobbing, in the back of this dirty taxi. THE MOM GUILT WAS SO STRONG.

However, it was just a reaction of her coming off the medication and when she called back a few hours later she was just fine. They placed TWO pins in her finger and bandaged her up.

It was a long 5 weeks of follow up doctor appointments, casts for the weekend, re wrapping, difficult showers and all around hygiene. All in the first couple months of starting first grade! She handled it like a champ and only got nervous when they first unwrapped it and she saw the pins, dried blood, bruising and stitches in all its nasty glory. It did put her out of commission for the entire fall soccer season but she really didn't seem to mind.

However folks, the moral of the story is NEVER TO SKIP SCHOOL. We skip ONE day and end up with surgery and a $3,000 medical bill.

Big Boy Bed

I am fully aware that my children are out to kill me.

This has been made more evident by the fact that my son has decided for the last three nights that he wanted to sleep in a big boy bed. This idea came suddenly and whole heartedly. Just like his sister, when they have made up their mind about something, it needs to happen. Braden decided this week he wanted to sleep in a big boy bed and because I wasn't prepared to do so, I removed one side of his crib. I didn't think it would actually work and so I wanted to leave the crib so I could easily reattach the side piece when he proved he wasn't ready to actually stay in a big boy bed. To my surprise, he actually has done it with little to no problem. So now I'm searching for the best deal online to get a bed frame, mattress, and bedding. I didn't think we would even bring up moving him to a big boy bed until closer to Christmas. He has shown no interest. It blew my mind.


But on to talking more about why my children are trying to kill me. Braden decides hes ready to potty train and sleep in a big boy bed the SAME WEEK we find out Madison was approved to skip kindergarten and attend first grade. My Momma heart took all the growing up it could take and is ready to burst in to tears at any second. As much as I pushed to have Madison moved up, it is still killing my momma heart to have her gone ALL DAY EVERY DAY at school. I could cry just thinking about it now. I know long term it will be good for her and she will do so well, I'm just selfish and want her with me all the time. I'm not ready for her to be gone so much. I will never get back these years of having both my littles at home. And once school starts, its no more random lunch dates, trips to the aquarium, park, splash pad, and every where in between. AND she is the biggest help with Braden during the day. I think he will miss having his play buddy home all day as well. When school starts its no more random trips whenever Daddy is home, we now have to work around the schools vacation schedule and do things when the rest of Utah county is also free and everything is packed.

We are moving on to the next season of life. We got rid of ALL of the baby clothes except for a few choice outfits I wanted to hold on to in the future. THAT SUCKED. Some days its really hard for me to think I will never be pregnant again and have another one of my babies. Other days I count the minutes until the both leave for college. I guess that is motherhood.

Braden turns 3

I realized that I have been much worse second time around with documenting my child's life. My sweet Braden, just because there are fewer posts about you does not mean you are any less loved. Since you have been born we have bought a dog, moved, changed job, I started (and stopped) working, sister in school and sports, and we are about to get another dog! Life has gotten busy so quickly.

But I want to remember this stage of you. Oh my little boy how I love you so. Sometimes you are my biggest lover and other times you want nothing to do with me. However it never stops me from giving you kisses every time I get the chance.

You have decided that potty training is a waste of time, though you occasionally show interest in big boy pants, you would rather prefer to be completely naked or in a diaper. We are trying to get you completely potty trained by the time we leave for beach camp in August and for preschool to start at the end of that month. But, considering your mom is your preschool teacher I don't think it will be a problem to still have you in a diaper if needed. I'd just prefer to be done with diapers all together.

You have also decided that you do not want a big boy bed and would like to stay in your "tib" for a while longer. "Pa-ovey" is still your best friend and you sleep with him every night. I'm ready for you to grow up and not all at the same time. As I was going through old pictures before your birthday I realized how much you had grown in the last year, you lost your baby fat and looked like a little boy. Turns out, I don't do well with my children growing up, I just cry all the time.

You are a spitfire child! You are wild and crazy most of the time. You enjoy playing barber shop and wrestling with your dad. You let me cut your finger and toenails only if I promise to paint them after. Which I don't mind but it sure gets a rise out of Papa Lance. Your favorite food is still sushi and strawberries. Your favorite song/ musical is Newsies. At night I no longer sing to you and it breaks my heart a little, but you still wake up 1-2 times at night for a snuggle or drink of milk.... which we need to stop soon but I have a hard time giving up those middle of the night snuggles. You give "sweet kisses" which means you put your hands on my cheeks to give me kisses on the lips. When Daddy isn't around you are a total Momma's boy but the minute Dad returns I am chopped liver. You demand to be carried most places and when we tell you that you are big enough to walk you usually respond with "my legs are broken". Oh the Sass on this one! You love to play pretend with your sister. In fact one of your favorite activities is playing animals in her room. You try so hard to keep up with her in all that you do. She wants to do an activity, you want to do it too, she has something, you want it too. It drives her crazy most days but hopefully one day she will appreciate it.

You have a tender heart Braden. You take care of others and find happiness in making others happy. Some days you are the most stubborn thing but you tend to quickly do something to make us laugh and forget why you upset us in the first place. You are inquisitive and like to explore the world around you. You think that you are so much bigger then you are. You love playing football with the neighbor boys who are all more than double and triple your age but you don't let that stop you. 

I hope that as you continue to grow you will become a driven leader who is also compassionate and kind.

3-year-old social skills
no longer a toddler
has become more independent
less selfish than 2-year-olds and exhibits less aggressive behavior
more aware of and sensitive to the feelings of others
more responsive to other children and able to develop friendships
capable of taking turns and sharing toys
will begin to identify with his own sex and traditionally gender-related activities
more interested in structured games
spends much of his time in fantasy activity and will have imaginary friends (This is actually a very creative way for your child to sample different activities, behaviors and emotions.)
sense of time has become clearer and he'll know his daily routine and will try to figure out the routines of others
will have a capacity to understand his own place spatially amongst the family and is able to view you as a separate person
wants to please you — will be less dependent on you because his sense of identity is growing stronger
will exhibit a feisty attitude on occasion and resist your requests

3-year-old motor skills
losing his baby fat, developing more muscle control and gaining in height
is quite agile and can catch a ball with arms extended
jumps down from object 18-inches high using two-footed takeoff and landing
will be interested in tools such as scissors, paper, fingerpaint and crayons
can walk up and down stairs while alternating feet
can bend over and not fall down
draws a circle
cuts paper into two pieces
concentration is required when learning to master precision finger and hand movements

3-year-old language skills
will have mastered the basic rules of language and should have an active vocabulary of 600 or more words with 80 percent intelligibility
should be able to say her name
answers the question, "How old are you?"
able to talk in sentences of three or fours words and imitate most speech sounds but still has thoughts and emotions that can't be conveyed through language
uses plurals and pronouns
may mispronounce words and will become extremely frustrated when he is not understood

The next stage... Childhood

MOTHERHOOD IS THE EXQUISITE INCONVENIENCE OF
BEING ANOTHER PERSON'S EVERYTHING.


Its interesting... as my children have grown and gained more independence I have relied on this journal less and less. It seems to be in those overwhelming stages in the beginning you yearn for an outlet, to let your voice be heard, to know you aren't alone.You seek validation and understanding. As they grow, your life is no longer consumed with middle of the night feedings and early bed times but replaced, instead, with school, extra curricular activities, sports, late night family things and countless adventures. You are no longer a slave to the infant and a prisoner during naptime in your own home. You move on to the next stage.

It's as if your body is awakening from survival mode. The mode it has been in for the last 6 years. I am finding more time for myself, working on hobbies, serving others, bettering myself and generally enjoying more of my time as a mother. You pray so often for the hard time to pass but the saying is true "the days are long but the years are short". So here we are, out of infancy and toddler stage. My babies are now children. Madison is finally sleeping IN HER ROOM through the night, which if I haven't mentioned before has been horrible. She has slept on our floor for so long I forgot what it was like to NOT have a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor next to my bed. We tried so hard and for so long to get her to do it. She finally decided three weeks ago she was ready and never looked back. Sometimes I miss her sweet little body laying on the floor next to me. You never know when the last time will be the last and you have to remember to treasure every moment. Braden is almost potty trained which means WE WILL BE DONE WITH DIAPERS by the end of summer. Hopefully, he isn't as motivated as Madison was. Once she decided it was three days and she was completely day and night potty trained. Braden just likes pooping in his diaper too much. He has no desire to get out of diapers or move out of his crib. I keep asking if he wants a big boy bed but he just says "no I like my Tib". Ok then buddy.


This week I went through all of their baby clothes. I began one day but it hurt my heart to go through each box that I had to stop and take a break. I was sad to see so many tiny cute clothes that would never be worn by another one of my babies. I sat and remembered each outfit and the stage of life that accompanied it. Maybe most people are not that attached to their children's baby clothes but this truly was difficult for me. I finally had a neighbor come over and take as many baby clothes as she needed and I just had to turn a blind eye while she loaded up the bags. I know we are not having any more children, Zach got snipped a year ago, but something inside me is still sad about it... and yet all at the same time my life feels complete with these two little ones and I couldn't imagine adding another to the mix. The two of them are spoiled beyond their wildest belief. Its hard to say no to them most days. 

What It's Like Being a Parent When Your Partner Works Crazy Hours

Sometimes I beat myself up for not being the best mom. I wonder how my other mom friends do it — have the time to cook Instagram-worthy meals while being responsible for the kids, feed said meals to said kids, and do bath and bedtime and live to tell the tale. Then I remember . . . most of my mom friends have partners who are home from work for all of the above. My husband, however, works outside the traditional 9-to-5 window.

When I'm getting snippy with our toddler or silently cursing about the baby's unrelenting fussing, I do feel a little sorry for myself. But then I remember I'm not the only one whose partner works crazy hours, and that there are moms who have it much harder than I do (all hail the single parent). But I'm talking about being a unit, one-half of a married couple, one-half of a parenting duo, yet finding myself alone . . . a lot

Shift work is the culprit here, and many families know how hard it can be to make the schedule of shift work occupations manageable. Nurses, doctors, law enforcement, first responders, transportation workers, security officers, hospitality workers, and so many others all have odd working hours in common. Shifts can be overnight, 17 hours long, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., what have you. If anyone in this type of work is married with children, their partner is usually a one-person team during those hours.

When my husband and I were dating and living together, the schedule was tough to get used to. I worked a regular job, and I was home for dinner every night. He worked 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. one week, then 4 p.m. to midnight the next week, and that's not counting overtime shifts (which is how a lot of shift workers make most of their money). Doesn't sound too crazy, right? Well, we wouldn't see each other every other week because I would be asleep by the time he got home and he wasn't awake when I left in the morning. And while my weekend was Saturday and Sunday, his could be Tuesday and Wednesday one week and Sunday and Monday the next.

Every other week, I ate dinner by myself every night (but, on the bright side, also had full control of the television remote). There were nights our friends would go out, and I'd either go by myself or not at all because he'd be at work. Everyone got used to me coming to functions and holidays celebrations alone, and I started seamlessly living the life of a single, taken person.

While I generally didn't mind it, I did wonder what it would all mean when we had kids. Would he miss soccer games and ballet recitals? Would he be able to help with homework or attend a science fair? Would I feel alone in parenting? The answer to all of those questions is yes and no. He often misses seeing our daughter for more than a day or two because he'll get home from work once she's at school, then be asleep or back at work when she gets home. But on his days off, he takes her out for daddy-daughter dates, he spends time with the baby, and we all sit down for dinner together. He tries his best to be around for important things by switching his shifts for birthday parties and holidays the kids will remember. He does the best he can, and so do I.

But I, like my friends who are also married to shift workers, can't help but long for the routine of Daddy coming home for dinner, us putting the kids down together, and enjoying a full weekend of family time. I'm always so thankful that he works so hard for our family, and I've accepted our version of traditional family time. Would I like him around when I'm wrangling two slippery kids in the tub? Yes. Would he probably be better at calmly reading bedtime stories? I think so. But it makes the time we do manage to spend together that much more meaningful. And isn't that what marriage and families should be about? A bunch of meaningful moments that, when combined, make up your family story? Because no matter how different the chapters are each week, I really love our story.

Just a reminder about this "stage" in life

When your kids are young and you feel overwhelmed just remember....

This stage of life. It’s hard, you guys.

I’m talking right now to you moms who are in your late 20's to mid 30’s. You have kids. Likely two, three, maybe four of them. They probably range in age from newborns to 7 or 8 year-olds. (Give or take a few, on all of the above mentioned stats).

In this stage of life, you are dealing with exhaustion. Mental, physical, and emotional.

In this stage of life, you are dealing with teething. With ear infections. With stomach viruses. You are juggling nap schedules, and feeding schedules and soccer schedules. A million balls you are juggling, and you probably feel like you are dropping most of them.

In this stage of life, you are dealing with guilt. Guilt over having a career, and not spending enough time with your kids, or guilt over staying home with your kids, and not doing enough to contribute financially. Guilt over being too harsh with your kids. Too lenient. Guilt that your house is clean, but your kids were ignored, or guilt that you enjoyed your children all day, and now your husband is coming home to filth. Guilt.

In this stage of life, you are bombarded daily with a whole host of decisions. Some of them life-changing, some of them not. None of them with clear cut answers. Do I vaccinate my kids? Do I not? Do I send them to public school? Homeschool? Charter school? Do I continue to breastfeed? Do I blow the budget so that I can buy all organic? Do I force my child to apologize, even though the apology will be insincere? You don’t know the answers to ANYTHING, but you feel constant pressure to figure out EVERYTHING.

This stage of life is less and less about watching your friends get married and have babies, and more and more about standing by and witnessing your friends struggle in their marriage, and even get divorced. It’s a stage where you’ve got to put in the time and the effort and the work and the energy to make sure your OWN marriage stays healthy. And that’s good, but it’s hard, too. At this point, you or someone you know has experienced infertility. Miscarriages. Loss of a child.

It’s a stage where you are buying houses, selling houses, remodeling houses, packing up houses. And then you do it all again a few years later.

It’s a stage where your hormones are all of of whack. I mean, you’ve basically been pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding for the last ten years, right?

It’s a stage where you are struggling with identity. Is my entire identity “mommy”? Is there anything even left of me that isn’t about mothering? Is there something more glamorous I could have/should have done with my life? I LOOK like a mom now, don’t I? I totally do.

It’s a stage where you are on a constant quest for balance, and can never find it.

It’s a stage of life where you are overloaded. Constantly. You are overloaded with questions. Your children never stop asking them. You are overloaded with touch. Someone is constantly wanting to be held, holding on to you, hanging on you, touching you. You are overloaded with to-do’s. There is so much to do. It never ends. You are overloaded with worry. You are overloaded with THINGS. Your kids have way too many toys. You are overloaded with activities. You are overloaded with THOUGHTS (thoughts about how to not be so overloaded, perhaps?).

It’s hard.

So….what do you need to do to survive it all?

You need to ask for help.

You need to accept help when it’s given.

You need to not neglect your marriage. You need to put your kids down for bed early. Sit outside on the back porch with your husband, drink a glass of wine, and have a conversation.

You need girlfriends.

You need your mom.

You need older friends, who have been there and done that. Who can reassure you that you AREN’T screwing it all up as badly as you think you are.

You need to not feel bad about using your kids nap time every now and again to just do whatever the heck you want.

You need to lower your expectations….then probably lower them again.

You need to simplify. Simplify every single part of your life, as much as it can be simplified.

You need to learn how to say “no”.

You need to practice contentment

You need to be ok leaving your kids overnight, and going away somewhere. Anywhere.

You need to do something you enjoy, every day, even if it’s for no more than 15 minutes.

You need to pray. Girl, you need to pray.

You need a coffee you love, a wine you love, and a bubble bath that you love.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, you need to remember that…..

….this stage of life is beautiful, too. Like, really really beautiful. This is the stage of life where every single older person you ever meet tells you, “you’re going to miss this”. And you already know it’s true. It’s the stage where your kids love you more than they are EVER going to love you again, for the whole rest of your life. It’s the stage where they can fit their entire selves into your lap to snuggle…and they want to. It’s the stage where their biggest problems ARE ear infections and teething and stomach viruses, and you’re not having to deal yet with things like broken hearts or addiction or bullying. It’s the stage where you are learning to love your spouse in an entirely different….harder…..better…. way. The stage where you are learning together, being stretched together, shedding your selfishness together, and TRULY being made into “one”. It’s the stage where you get to see Christmas, Halloween through your kids eyes, and it’s so much more fun and magical than it would be just through your own eyes. It’s the stage where you get to watch your parents be grandparents…and they’re really good at it. It’s the stage of life filled with field trips, class parties, costumes, swim lessons, bubble baths, dance parties, loose teeth, and first steps. And those things are so fun. It’s the stage where you are young enough to have fun, and old enough to have obtained at least SOME wisdom. It’s SUCH a great stage.

But, man it’s hard.

2018

Wow, not a post since August. Guess life has gotten a little crazy. I am hoping to be better this year about documenting our children's lives.

Braden (2 1/2) is talking more every day. His favorite movie is still Newsies and his favorite food is sushi. We probably eat it at least once a week because its one thing I KNOW he will eat without fuss and its fairly healthy. He is still waking up like once in the early morning usually between 3-6am but has a bottle of milk and goes back to sleep till around 8. He loves playing with play doh and will take as much Ipad time as we allow. That boy is GLUED to his dang Ipad. He takes a nap a few days a week still and when he misses one, we all suffer. I will be sad when naps are gone for good. He is still in a crib because he as not yet climbed out and I like the security of keeping him in there as long as possible. Once you switch to a big boy bed all bets are off and naps are nonexistent. 

Pa-ovey = Puppy Lovey
Malt = Milk
sissor = Sister
boop boop beep boop = the password to get on to a device
My-yo = Milo

Yatalie = Natalie
Reecey = Lindsay
Bubba = Braden

Madison is in another year of preschool after trying to get her in to kindergarten early was a huge mess. We applied with the district in May. They allowed her to test with a teacher, registrar, fill out all paperwork and even gave us access to the parent portal. We assumed by that point if there had been an issue we would have been told. Well in the days leading up to school we couldn't see where her schedule had been posted. We finally got a hold of someone from the district and they said it had been a mistake. We tried to argue that because they approved so many things and sent us a portal, that they needed to honor that and enroll her in a class. Well the guy got pretty upset and threatened to take legal action (um ok??) so we backed down and decided to do another year of preschool. We are calling it BONUS year and having lots of fun as a family. In the fall we MAY try to test in to the first grade so she can be with her neighbor friends, but if not she will begin kindergarten in the fall.

I stopped working with Love 2 Learn Academy after the owner decided to take a step back and let someone else run the school. Rachel ran it in to the ground and it suffered greatly. She also threw me under the bus to Michelle and ultimately when Michelle decided to sell the school, they decided they "no longer needed me". Because I was not only a parent but also a teacher at the school, I was given more insight to the curriculum and noticed that Madison was unhappy and seeming to not learn as much as she had in the past. I didn't understand what was going on. I learned that they were repeating lesson plans from the year before... this made me SO angry. They lied to parents telling them there was an Advanced Red's class for their children, when in reality it was just teaching them the same crap they learned the year before. My daughter was not getting her individual teacher time and there was no record on her assessment. Being let go was the best thing to happen to us because it gave me the chance to really look in to new options for Madison and find a school to better fit her needs. We changed to Little Explorers Preschool and she has been THRILLED ever since. She can only attend 2 days a week but she is so eager to learn and her excitement for education is back!

I also became a counselor in the Primary Presidency and that has also been a trial to adjust to. Learning a whole new part of the church organization, overcoming my fear of teaching 94 kids during sharing time, and adjusting to working with several different personalities. I told them when they called me it was a mistake because I am just waaaaaay to sassy for primary.

Zach finished his Masters program and is still working for Classic. He has been offered a job as their regional education director, but the details have not yet been worked out. It is crazy for us to finally reach a point in our marriage when he only has to work one job and is able to provide for our family. It has been such a blessing. February marks ONE YEAR of being in our house. I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by, I can't believe we have been able to AFFORD living in our own house for a year. That idea seemed so scary for so long. We have had our trials with this home. The oven, garage door, fence, two outlets, and one toilet have all broken this year. We've had to purchase a fridge, washer, dryer, dresser for Braden, couch, and a huge hand full of odds and ends.

Can't wait to see