How firm is your foundation?

We had a fantastic lesson in Relief Society on Sunday and I just wanted to share a few of the thoughts that I had. Most of you know that James and I had an extremely rocky 2009. There were times where I know that I was a HORRIBLE person and I lost sight of the things that were truly important in my life. I began asking all those aweful questions like "why me?", "what did I do to deserve this?", "why do my kids have to be put through this?", "will it ever end?" "why don't you love me anymore?" I'm embarrassed to even admit it but those were just a few of the thoughts that I had. We went from living in a beautiful home, in a beautiful area that our whole family loved. We had a good job with benefits and stability for us all and then the rug was pulled from underneath us. We were all devastated. I had a hard time trying to explain to my kids why we had to move and why we didn't have a place of our own. It was not easy for them either. James was able to get a part time job but it didn't have benefits or anything else. Shouldn't complain...it's a step in the right direction. So, I tried to repent (A LOT!) and change my attitude but I was still having a hard time.

Time went on and I was still struggling, then we had an experience that made me stop and think a little (or a lot) about the fact that our Heavenly Father is perfectly aware and in control. We almost lost our dear little neice. It was a really hard week for everyone and I remember the start of the change I began to feel. As I rushed screaming kids downstairs for the other adults to work with her we were scared. I remember shaking and crying but realizing that I had 8 kids looking at ME to know what to do and how to deal with it all. The only thought that came to my mind was that we had to pray as much as we could and hope that it was the Lords will to let her make it. I remember gathering all the kids around me with tears in our eyes and praying, and praying. It was not an easy task but we somehow managed to get it out. Things didn't get better right away but I remember feeling very strongly that The Lord was aware of our situation with our neice and our situation as a family. Things still weren't easy but having that confirmation made it more possible for me to get through. Fortunately through miracles and the will of The Lord, our little neice is strong and healthy and made a full recovery.

At times I know that I have faultered with the strength of my testimony but I know that My Heavenly Father loves me. I know that things aren't always going to be easy in life, but if I put my faith in Him, and trust that as I live the commandments and strive to do all that I can, things will be ok. It may not always be the way I want them to but I know that they will be for the best. As hard as it was for me to leave Monterey, I feel like there have been reasons that we needed to be here. I feel very strongly that James and I needed to be here for our neice. I am grateful for a worthy husband who honors his priesthood because I know that he listened to the spirit and did all that he could to keep our neice alive. I will always be grateful for him and the way that he responded to that situation. He is such a good man and I love him with all my heart. I know that no matter where we go or what we do, if we stay close to our Heavenly Father and as a family, we will always be happy!

Life goes on!

So...it's been a while! Life has continued to move on whether I like it or not. Sometimes I wish there was a pause button to be able to just savor certain moments for as long as I choose. Oh well! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We had my sister and her family come and hang out with us for a while and then mom and Mike. We did a fun little Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning with the Hoopes' and then dinner at Aunt Julie's house. It was a blast! We even had a fun little HSM party one day with Kris and her kids and it was one of the funnest things ever! James is still coaching basketball and that take a LOT of his time right now. Nothing like getting paid for 25 hours a week when your working more than 40! Oh well...life goes on. We are scheduled to have an ultrasound on the 21st of this month and can't wait. I'm hoping that no one will dissappointed if it's not the sex we all want...including myself. I just want my little Abraham...I've had enough of the girls for the moment! Two in a row is enough for my sanity!!!!! Don't get me wrong...LOVE my girls....just can't handle anymore drama queens for the time being! HAHAHA!!!!! Can't wait for Christmas to come and have tons of fun! I always love Christmas time and all the things we get to do! I hope everyone is having a great holiday season! It's always busy, busy, busy, but I hope we can all remember the things that are truly important this time of year! I know I tend to forget but I am so grateful for my Saviours birth and that he could be such an example to us all. I am grateful for His atoning sacrifice so that we can return and live with Him again. I know I complain and stress over all the things I think are "wrong" or "hard" in my life but I am grateful for my Heavenly Father who helps me to see just how wonderful my life really is! AND IT TRULY IS!!!!! I have 5 of the most amazing kids in the world and a husband who always works so hard and is a good example to me and the kids. I have so much to be thankful for!

Something a little different!

Ok....so I haven't seen this movie yet....obviously....but I cannot wait for it to come out! I loved reading the books and I admit to having read most of them more than once. I enjoyed the Twilight movie but New Moon seems like it's gonna be so much better. So...for all the Twilight lovers out there...I'm sure we'll all be talking about the movie once we've seen it!


James and I rented this movie to watch last night because he's been dying to see it. I hate to say it but....LAME!!!! Some of it was actually kinda freaky and I hid under my covers. It felt like the main point was finally gotten to and then over in 3 minutes, but you still had another hour of the movie to watch. I did like the suspense of it all but I don't like unhappy endings. I don't know that it's a movie I would ever really watch again.


On the other hand...I will buy this one and keep it forever! I seriously laughed so hard and couldn't get enough of it. I watched it 4 times in 2 days and can't wait to own it. I love Sandra Bullock and thought she was awesome. Never seen Ryan Reynolds before but I liked him too...he played a good character. If you haven't seen it yet...I would totally see it. It is one of my new all time favorite movies. I don't wanna give anything away in case you haven't seen but if you like Sandra Bullock and fiesty girls...you'll love this movie!

LAME-O!!!!

I did not take ONE picture of my kids in their halloween costumes all 3 times that they put them on for different activities. Seriously...how lame of a mother am I? Don't answer that! HAHAHA!!!! We had tons of fun these past couple of weeks. Sometime mid Oct. I got pretty sick with a nasty sore throat for a few days and then BAM....I was out!!! I had no idea what it was but I just felt miserable and the next Tank got it too and stayed home from school for almost an entire week. So...turns out the nurse I talked to just said that we had the swine flu...go figure! I had no idea but I also new that I was pregnant and so I knew that it would be a little longer recovery because of that. So...we got all better and had some fun times. We spent a day in SLC and then at Austin and Julianne's house with pizza and the younger kids went to the trunk-or-treat with Austin. The week before we went to Gma and Gpa's wards halloween activity and had tons of fun. Halloween was a fun party at Austin and Julianne's place with good chili and cornbread and some trick or treating fun. The kids are so fun to watch! I finally went to the doctor on the 4th and got a due date...May 6, 2010 is when baby #6 will be joining us. We are so excited and a little nervous too. At this point James will be in training learning how to be a good bullet sponge for the Army. I've never given birth without my man right beside me to hold my hand and so this could be a very interesting experience. Until that time...we're just so excited and loving every moment that we have together! I'm looking forward to an awesome month of November and remembering to give thanks each day for all the blessing that I have!

My kids are the best!

I had SEP's today and yesterday and I'm so proud of my kids and their accomplishments in school. Tank is doing very well. He is reading above his grade level and loves to help in class. His teacher loves that he shares his ideas and stories with the class and said that he wishes more of the students would be willing to do so. Tank is turning in all his assignments on time and works really hard at everything he does. I'm so happy to see him work so hard and show what a great kid he is!


Ana's teachers were beaming when I came in and told me how lucky they are to have her in their class. She was the one of the only students to get honors in citizenship. She has over achieved in almost all of her academic areas and her teachers said that she actually volunteers to do things in front of the class. Ana is very shy and so it is really exciting to see her make these leaps in school. She is an excellent reader, speller, mathematician, and just a great kid.


Jarom is another star student. His teacher said he is just wonderful. He is one of the tallest kids in his class and so the teacher uses him often to help with getting things for her and doing stuff around the class and she said he's always happy to do it. There is a student teacher in his class til Jan and she said she always asks Jarom questions when she's not sure because she knows that he'll always give her the info that she needs. He is reading at the level that his teacher wants him to be at the end of the year and she is just so excited to have him. He is a smart kid who is following in the footsteps of his older siblings and I couldn't be more happy!

I'm so happy that my kids have such a great love of learning. I am grateful that they all have such wonderful teachers that see their potential and help push them to be better. I couldn't have hand picked a better group of teachers if I tried...and believe me...I am a picky mom when it comes to my kids and their school teachers...probably because I am one myself! I just love my kids and love the choices they are making. I hope they continue on this path and be the best that they can be!

Kids and the funny things they say....

Little Sariah was brought to me on Sunday because she had some poopy pants. It was our first Sunday in the new ward and I had NO idea where priesthood was. We looked around a little bit (since it was the very end of church anyways) and finally decided to sit down and wait til Daddy found us. Sariah climbed up on the couch, crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap with a HUGE sigh. She looked at me out of the corner of her cute little eye and said "Ok, we'll wait for Daddy". Two seconds later she gave an exasperated sigh, looked at me and said with her arms thrown up in the air in defeat "He's lost!" It was one of the cutest things ever. I'm sure you had to be there but I hope you still think it was cute!

Last night James needed to cut his hair for drill this morning. We are still unpacking our stuff and finally found our hair clippers...all but the cord/charger. I told James to just get started and if I HAD to I'd run and buy a new pair. Of course when he started...they stopped and he looked ridiculous and had just barely started. CRAP!!!! So...as I'm heading out the door someone said something and Beka looked up at James and said "so you're hair doesn't look so dumb anymore?" James couldn't help but laugh histerically because he did look pretty ridiculous!

Jarom is just a funny kid and his favorite thing is to say "awkward" all the time. The other day there was something wrong with a picture and Jarom kept telling James to fix it so that it wasn't so awkward anymore. It didn't really fit but it sure was cute to listen to him say it over....and over.....and over....and over....again!

Ana is such a sweetheart. I was making some banana cookies for James that he's been wanting for a while. The cookies were baking and it was time for the frosting. Sariah had been in there for the whole process and LOVES to help but I was getting a little impatient. She really wanted one of the beaters but I always wipe them off a little before I give them out. Sariah really didn't like this and so she was upset and crying. I didn't care because I had had enough. Ana looks over at her and says "here Sariah, do you want mine?" It wasn't anything big but it meant a lot to Sariah and she willingly took the trade. What a lesson to learn from my sweet little Ana and her example of patience and peace making!

Tank is funny too. I was trying to do something with his bed the other night and I was tired and ready for bed so I had taken my pants off. I was taking care of the boys room and in walked Teancum. He started laughing and I couldn't figure out what was so funny. In between laughs he managed to tell me that there was a little problem with me...I had some crack hanging out! I was horrifically embarrassed but I sure gave my boys a good laugh right before bed. The only concern I have is that this moment might be brought up again in mixed company!

Some pictures!

Sariah really didn't like the water....AT ALL!!!!!

The kids having a blast on the boat.

Just me and my man before going boating with the crew.

A picture of the whole fan damily!

Just a fun picture out by the pool at our fun Vegas family reunion!


We really had such a fun summer!

I think I'm back!!!!

Well...well...well...It's been a really long time and the time has FLOWN!!!!

Lots has happened since I last wrote but most importantly...........(drum roll in here please!) We finally got a place of our own!!!!!!

We were able to find a nice place in Springville that let us sign a lease that wasn't a full year and let us have all our kids still...hahaha! We are so excited and I'm up and running with a computer too. I've missed blogging and so I'm really excited to get back into and put up all sorts of adorable pictures of my kiddos. I guess that's all for now as I should be fixing dinner so I will get on that!

I've missed you all!!!!

Long time no blog!

Ok....so I have no pictures to put up or anything all that fun really. Life has been absolutely, insanely crazy for us these past few months. We left Monterey purdy quick and cem to Utah to saty with James parents for a little while (that's turned into a longer while than expected). James was given the boot from the AFNG because they are too full and so we decided to go full time in the Army...WOW!!! It's been inetersting. So....we've had lots of fun since we've been here in Springville....let me tell just a bit!

Austin's graduation....so fun to hang out with family and enjoy life.

Visit with old friends that live here in Utah....Nicole and Mike...so much fun to catch up a little and just have fun!

Eriks graduation in SD...we weren't going to go but my dad ended up coming down and so I didn't want to miss that opportunity so James got the time off to come and have some good family time. We got to chill with Kristi and exercise and swim almost everyday....what more can you ask for?

James had a shoulder manipulation done and is on his way to a real recovery...FINALLY!!!!

Jen had surgery so we got to hang with Claire and Brynn before the family reunion...fun times and got to know them a little more....good kids!!!

Family reunion in Vegas!!! So much fun....talking, swimming, volleyball, boating, pictures....and on and on!!! A really awesome reunion!

Harry Potter Party...it was a blast! James and I were the Dursleys, Tank was Harry, Ana was Ginny, Jarom was Ron, Beka was a garden gnome, and Sariah was Kreacher! It was so darn fun!!!

Jayne...well...we just don't need to go there. She is a strong girl and we're just so glad that she is still here with us.

All in all it has been a great summer. James and I are both looking for jobs and a place to live. It has been extremely stressful and yet I'm so glad to have had these opportunities to be here where we are right now. It has been nice to get to know Bill and Vonnie better and work on relationships. It's been nice to be close to so much family to be able to hang out and enjoy each others company. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to be in my own place and have a good job....but who wouldn't?! I know that The Lord has us go through things in this life for a reason and I think he has an excellent sense of humor. I just pray that I will have as good a sense of humor as Him and enjoy all the wonderful things I do have! Thanks mom and dad for putting up with us and being so kind and generous.

A Family Fast

Most of you know already that James and I are in a really tough spot right now and may not have a job coming up in a month or so. We are fairly confident that things will work out but it is scary all the same. A good friend of mine suggested a family fast and offered to do it with us so I am going to do just that. I don't know that it will change anything but I know that The Lord will help us to at least be comforted to know that we will be taken care of if we continue to follow His commandments. So, if there is anyone who would like to join us we would appreciate all the extra prayers. We love you all and Utah...here we come!!! This Sunday is the day we're going to fast.