Just Plugging along....

I haven't written a blog in so long, I felt like I should just write something. We had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. The birthday month has gone by and Dusty and I are old!!! Dusty turned 35 (35!!!) on the 18th and I turned 31 on the 22nd. I don't feel old though. A gal at work heard me say I have 4 kids. She couldn't believe it and said I look younger than her 24. Some day I will appreciate my baby face, now I just hate having to explain I am old enough to have four kids.
Life just passes us by so quickly, and yet I always have to remind myself to hold onto the moment. I always think things like, "when Dusty gets a job", "when the kids are all in school", "when..." I know I need to enjoy life as it comes.
Dusty has not found a job yet. We are doing amazingly well. I hope it happens soon, not just for us but all of the millions out of a job right now.

The Lord Knows

The other night we got a knock at our door. When we opened it there was a basket of huge popcorn balls. Each one was labeled very beautifully with our names in calligraphy. There was no note or explanation, but rolled very tiny on the ribbons was money.

Times are really tough, for everyone. I can't but into words how much this meant to me and my family. Of course I can't give thanks to the family who did this, but I have given it in prayer. We have also received some other "gifts", some anonymous, some not.

And now, even as I write this, the doorbell rang. It was the 12 days of Christmas beginning.

I am truly grateful for everything our family and friends have done. But, my pride wants me to not except it. I don't want others to go without for our sake. I know that is the wrong attitude. I am soooo grateful for the help. It may be the difference in the end. So why do I feel guilty?

I hope and pray that someday I can make a difference in someone else's life.

I saw a friend at work today, that I don't see very often. I love and respect her so much. My trials are nothing to what this courageous lady has gone through. I told her about my pride. She said that it was OK. But, that is why we pay fast offerings and help others when we are able. When she was a single mother trying to get by, many acts of kindness came her way and she was grateful. Now she really tries to help others in need, now that she is able.

I wish that I were better about expressing my feelings on "paper". The things she said made me feel so much better. Heavenly Father knows what we need. And angels are sent to do his bidding.

And to the all of the sweet friends we have out there who have been such blessings to us I say THANK YOU!

Wal-Mart Associate

On Nov. 11 I came out of retirement. I started working again after 9 1/2 years! I am a "Walmart Associate". I have actually been really enjoying it. I work in the fabric and crafts dept. Which is really fun since I sew a lot.
Unfortunately, the reason I have gotten a job is because Dusty is still looking for work. The economy, has been a big factor in him not being able to get a job. I do know that Heavenly Father has really looked out for us. About 3 1/2 months with out a regular pay check has been difficult. But, I really know that we are not alone. Dusty had a blessing awhile back, and in it he was told to be patient. But, it is really hard to stay positive right now. I know Heavenly Father will help us. And no matter what happens, things will work out.

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Our cute 50's girls,

Barbie Mariposa,

a train Engineer and

someone

hidden in the mirror.

My computer died

A couple of weeks ago I loaded an old program of Photoshop on my computer.
A few days later it killed my computer. Apperently windows vista and any program that didn't come with it, are a bad mix. Now Dusty and I have to share. Can you believe it? Of course, I do realize now I spent way too much time on it. I just hope our very generous friend, who is working on it, can fix it.

Emma

A surprise came after first child. It was our Emma Kate. Emma is the second child in our family. She has been an adventure since she came. She loves animals, all animals. She is especially in love with horses. She wrote a little "book" the other day. In it she said she loves animals, nature, trees mountains...It was really cute and just showed her personality. Recently, with growth of our small community, some old trees were cut down. She got really upset and was on the verge of tears, because they cut down "nature" to put up power poles.

She is a very passionate person, and shows it in every aspect of her life.

She likes to ride her bike, and play with friends. We see Emma dancing and singing, with Hannah, on the porch, to the Jonas Brothers. Whom she also saw with Hannah Montana.

She is a little bit of a tomboy. She wrestles with Daddy, and Grandpa Chad.

She likes to sleepover at her grandparents houses, which she has been able to do a lot this year with our surgeries, collect webkinz, and watch the Disney Channel.

Emma likes to do crafts, including: Beading, coloring, drawing, painting, and decorating the walls.

We are so glad to have such a special and unique personality part of our family.

I've Been Tagged!!!!

A. Attached or single? Attached :) :)
B. Best Friend(s)? Dusty, Mary Beth, Melissa, Jessica, Lana.
C. Cake or pie? Pie, My Mom's apple.
D. Day of Choice? Saturday, I don't have to go anywhere.
E. Essential Item? My laptop.
F. Favorite Color? Maybe Pink.
G. Gummy bears or worms? Bears, cinnamon.
H. Hometown? Sandy,UT.
I. Indulgence? Candy (Mostly Chocolate).
J. January or July? Neither!
K. Kids? Four, 3 Girlie Girls, and 1 Boy.
L. Life isn't complete without? My Family and the gospel.
M. Marriage date? June 26th.
N. Number of brothers/sisters? 1 sister, 2 brothers.
O. Oranges or apples? Apples.
P. Phobias? Spiders!!!
Q. Quotes? "I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light." — Helen Keller
R. Reasons to smile? When my kids say funny things like, "I have poop in my mouth!...."
S. Season of choice? Spring or fall, I love jacket weather.
T. Tag some people: Michelle B., Brittany and Ann.
U. Unknown fact about me? I love to Shop!
V. Vegetable? Steamed Carrots with a little butter, mmm.
W. Worst habit? Playing in my hair.
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food? Italian
Z. Zodiac Sign? Aquarius

Hannah

Hannah is the oldest child in our family. Nine years old and was born in 1999. One of her goals is to be 101 years old, so she can say she live in three different centuries. She has always been a smart little girl and has not ceased to amaze us since the time she was little. She started fourth grade this year and is learning about Utah history, the dinosaurs, algebra, and anything she can get her hands on to read. She has recently read the first, 3 Harry Potter books, and is on the 3rd book of Fablehaven. (She really likes to read!)

In January she got glasses and much to my surprise, was and is really excited about having glasses. Her cousin just got some too and because Hannah had them, it was ok.

Hannah would like to travel, because it isn't fair she hasn't been out of the state. She has been planning a trip to Disneyland since she was three. Home and Vernal is really as much as she has traveled.

We are so grateful for our Hannah-Banana and can't believe how grown-up she is getting. She is helpful around the house and with the other kids. She likes to help out with the baby I babysit. Some day she would really like her own room so that the other kids don't mess up her stuff. (Which they do quite a bit.)

She really likes Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. We went to her concert about a year ago and that was really fun, despite the fact that we were on the very last row. I think Hannah and Emma will remember it forever.

Hannah likes to talk on the phone, collect webkinz, and play with friends. She can be seen dancing on the porch quite often with her music at obnoxious levels.

This week we got new pictures taken. It was fun.

The kids looked so cute and the lighting was just right!

Spot light on the kids

Recently, my cousin lost his little girl in a tragic accident. Reading the blog about this darling little girl made me sad I didn't get to know her in this life.

I have always thought it was so sad to read obituaries of people that were so special, but no one knew about until they were gone.
So I decided to spot light each of my children. It may be awhile before I get through all four, but I think it will be fun!

Night @ the Fair

One of our family traditions, every fall, is to go to the

state fair.

We go on the all you can eat ice cream night.

We could go and buy a lot of ice cream for the same amount of money, but it's the novelty of it. Ice Cream makers from around the state bring their kinds to sample. My favorite was the raspberry cheesecake from the BYU Creamery. The Fat Boys and the Creamies were a hit with the kids.

The kids also loved to see all the animals, especially Pierce.

We also found a clown making balloon shapes and that was fun too.

Emma really wanted to see the tiger show but it was "climbing room only. "




So now it really feels like fall; the kids are in school, we've gone to the fair and the weather is cooling off. I love sweater weather!:)

The New Temple

For our Activity Days activity a couple weeks ago, we went too the new temple. (I have been a leader for a while and it is fun to be with Hannah.)
I got to take pictures of all the girls in front of the temple, while another leader talked about the temple. It is so fun to have a new temple being built so close to our home, we can see it from our up stairs windows!

Life sometimes dishes out liver and onions...but there always is cheesecake for dessert

Almost a year ago life got a lot more complicated. I was diagnosed with MS about seven years ago. Last Oct. after getting a virus the MS, reared its ugly head. I had problems with my vision. Since then it has gotten better, but the doctors say the damage is probably permanent. Dusty was sick off and on for about 3 months at the same time. I got back on some medicine and Dusty did finally got better. In Jan. I turned 30 (which I was really excited about). In Feb. I had a reaction to the medicine I was on. I had a hard time breathing and my lips turned blue. On Feb. 27th Dusty hurt his knee. He was playing basketball with the YW in the ward. He slipped on the floor and severed his patella tendon among other things. After an ambulance ride and some lortab he was awaiting surgery on the following Monday. Friday night I got sick. It turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy, that ruptured. When I finally got to the hospital, I had lost about 2/3 of my blood and had to have emergency surgery, and blood donations. Dusty had his surgery, and we, pathetic as we were, healed. We had to rely on or parents for a while. Hannah crashed on her bike and got a concussion, and Emma fell and got stitches on her face. We really felt like we were done having difficult times. But, we were not. We decided with my health problems that it would be the best to have a hysterectomy and concentrate on my health. A few weeks after my surgery Dusty found out that he was getting laid-off at work. Last week I went to the doctor for my surgery check up, and he told me I might have received contaminated blood back in March. They did blood tests and all came back negative. :) But, I need to be retested in six months. Now it has been 3 weeks since Dusty lost his job, and not many promising prospects. I am babysitting for a neighbor, and Dusty is getting unemployment checks.

I felt like I needed to write this for awhile. I don't know why we are going through so much, this last while. I do know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us. On Tuesday a friend in the ward called to see if Audrey could come and play; and said while she was there why not leave Pierce and go to the Temple. It was definately inspired and was a really wonderful visit to the temple, the Spirit was so strong. We have so many blessings and I am not writing to complain. Life is hard sometimes. But, we have so many blessings that out-weigh the trials. (The cheesecake for dessert. That sounds really good maybe I should go cook!)

Quote of the Day

I saw this quote while sitting in the doctors office the other day. It seemed like that was what I needed right now.

Most folks are about as happy
as they make their minds up to be.
Abraham Lincoln

My Summer Flowers

Last fall I planted some perennial flowers. Our family has been able to enjoy them all spring and summer. The plants were not blooming last fall so it has been really fun to see what flowers came out and their color. The "biggest" suprise was the hollyhocks. I had no idea what color they were or that they would get over 8 1/2 feet tall! I planted them next to the stairs on the porch and they really look out of place. The color as it turned out was black! They are called a few different names including, After Midnight, and Arabian Knights. Incidently if you want some seeds I have thousands.

The Winner!

Today I won a contest on a local TV show. It was really fun to get to do that. One of the neighbors even stopped by to say her mom saw me. Later in the day she drove by and called to me, "The Winner." The prize I won was a gift basket from Heels & Toes, at Gardner Village. Made for a change up to my day!

My first post

This is our family! Dusty, Kristi, Hannah, Emma, Audrey, and Pierce. Hannah just turned 9 and started 4th grade. Emma is 7 and just started 2nd grade. Audrey will turn 5 in a few days and just started kindergarten. Pierce is 2 and misses the girls while they are at school.