Time For Change

We finally got our registration done for our vehicles. I was very surprised to feel so sad when I took off our Texas plates. I'm so happy to be home in Utah, but Texas was such a great place to live. It really was a good move for our family. I've said it before that Mark and I had experiences there that we never would have had here. We grew closer as a couple and stronger as a family because we really had to rely on one another. We made many great friends that we miss dearly. And I am so grateful that we were able to live in the Great State of Texas...even if it was only for two short years! Texas will always hold a special place in my heart.

So all y'all back in Texas, thank you for being our wonderful family way from home! We love you!

Rainie is my FAVORITE!!!

So there's this family, back in Texas. They're pretty cool. Rainie and her cute family moved into our ward a week or two after we did. They are HUGE BYU fans, so of course we got along great. She brought me treats for my birthday, held awesome scrapbook parties at her house, planned BYU Football parties at my house, saw many fun girl's night out movies with me and has the best laugh! Her and Chris brought yummy Taco Cabana over after Kids Night Out, taught us how to play Settlers!!! Experienced Truluck's Chocolate Sac (a scrumptious chocolate treat) with us. No one can forget our BYU Tulsa trip in a rented white 15 passenger van! (There is an entry somewhere about that!) That was the funnest! They held a going away party for us and taught us how fun Easter Egg Cracking Contests were! Jackson was our champion! Rainie always made me laugh! I do miss her and I'm so glad she is back to blogging! I seriously thought she fell off the blogging face of the earth. She is the reason I am even here! Her cute blog inspired me! So, thank you Rainie for being such a great friend and making our life in Texas that much more enjoyable! You are always my favorite!!!

Thank You, Petrina!!!

So there's this family back in Texas. They're pretty cool. I remember meeting Petrina on our first day in the ward in Texas. (Mark and I went ward shopping before we bought our house out there). She drilled me about where I grew up and told me how I looked so familiar. We didn't know each other, but I'll certainly never forget that conversation. She even e-mailed me a couple of times to see if we'd bought a house yet, and how the move was going. We were both pretty excited that we ended up buying a house in that ward, our kids were going to go to school together. I was lucky enough to be able to serve with Trina in the scouting program in our ward. But, even if we hadn't served together, I know we would have become great friends.

Our kids played together often, (Jackson idolized her boys) and whenever our hubbys were away on trips or working late, we would meet for crazy dinner dates with six rambunctious boys! I have to say, Jason's Deli became a favorite! Planing birthday parties, Amazing Race Parties, BYU games, Superbowl Parties...just having family dinner's together. I truly miss having fun and spending time with her and her family.

She is the type of person you can always count on, a true friend. When I was getting ready for the move, she was really busy and couldn't actually help me pack, but she did more for me than anyone else. She took my kids so that I could get things done, she picked them up from school. She made time in her (VERY) busy life to help me out. I had several friends come and help me pack a little here and a little there, but to Petrina I am most grateful.

Mark had come home that last week to help with last minute things and to drive with us back to Utah. The plan was to finish everything up on Thursday, have the truck completely loaded. Friday we were sending the kids for their last day of school and doing last minute clean up. When the kids got home on Friday we were taking off. It SO didn't work out that way. We got most of the stuff loaded into the truck on Thursday night. We planned on getting a hotel that night since our bedding was in the back of a truck, but Petrina wouldn't hear of it. She insisted that we stay at her house that night, she had plenty of room. We had several from the Elders Quorum come and help. But we have so much stuff that we still had lots of little things to load when we finally sent everyone home. So that meant on Friday instead of cleaning, Mark and I were still loading the truck. To make matters worse, they were supposed to come and pick up the truck at noon but they didn't show up until about 7:30 pm. Ugh!

Long story short, we didn't end up leaving until Saturday around noon. Petrina kept our kids Wednesday night, Thursday night, I picked them up from their last day of school on Friday and took them to Petrina's house again. So to my kids, it was just a great big party! They had a blast those last few days in Texas. They still talk about the big party at Petrina's. She insisted once again that we stay at her house on Friday night...and the by the way, the bed in her spare bedroom is SOOOO comfortable!!! I would stay with her ANYTIME! Then her family sent us off on Saturday with goody bags for each of the kids and treats for Mark and I. She was an angel and truly heaven sent! I know we wouldn't have gotten out of there til Monday if she hadn't helped the way she did. So THANK YOU, my dear friend!

Party at Petrina's!

Saturday Morning - Driving Day.

I cried (like a little girl) as we drove away!

She called yesterday and I got to chat with her for a few minutes. I miss her, but she is going to be here for a month this summer. I can't wait! Part of the reason she called though, was to check if I had arranged to get the boys spring school pictures from the school. Of course with everything else going on, I forgot, so she is ONCE AGAIN taking care of things. She is amazing! I hope every one has a friend like that. It makes life so much easier!!

More Texas Snow

The weather here has been CRAZY! It snowed, really snowed, for the first time since we've lived here in Texas on Tuesday. Wednesday was sunny and warm enough to play out side with a jacket on. And then Thursday, it looked like this:



The kids had a blast and were so glad for the snow. After we came home from our Utah Christmas vacation, the kids were complaining about never being able to play in the snow. So I for one was very glad that they finally had the chance. They tried to make a snow man, but they used up all the good snow in their snowball fights, so it was too wet to really work. They were a little disappointed, but I assured them that in a couple of weeks, they would have all the snow they could handle! 19 days left!!!

Texas Snow and "Jay-Dubs"

(Our front yard in the snow - March 2008)

It snowed last night. It was the craziest thing! In the two winters we have lived in Texas, we have never experienced snow. Yes, thunder and lightning storms, wind storms and sleet, but never snow. It was actually kind of cool. The kids were all excited that the ground was white and I had to make Jace and Caden promise that they wouldn't stop to play in the snow until after they got to the bus stop. I could not have them missing their bus! They were good listeners, they ran all the way, cute things!

A little later on this morning I was in the daycare room with all my cute daycare kids. They were coloring as I was de-cluttering my filing cabinet, preparing for the big move. We had fun songs playing on the cd player and everyone was happy. It was very nice because I was actually able to get some things done. Mark called to discuss our moving plan and as I was going over that with him on the phone, there was a knock at the door. "Oh great," I thought. I told Mark that I had to go, there were "Jay-Dubs" at the door. Just as I was thinking, "I don't have time for this! Maybe I'll just pretend I'm not home." the kids all ran over to the door to see who it was. A little frustrated that the kids had blown my cover, I got up and walked to the door. I probably had a scowl on my face as the door opened, but then the weirdest thing happened. As soon as I opened the door, I absolutely felt for this couple. Maybe it reminded me of my mission, with their long coats, and the snow covered ground, going door to door out in the (freezing) cold winters (of New York) for what they believe. It was a man and his wife. They were Jehovah's Witness. They handed me their literature and invited me to read it in light of the upcoming Easter holiday. I was not interested in the literature, but I did not want to be rude or make them feel bad, like I did after having so many doors slammed on me in New York. Williamsburg Circle Drive came screaming back to my memory. I was a brand new missionary, still with my trainer, Sister Kenny and my MTC buddy, Sister Moya (We were The Gruesome Threesome).

We encountered so many people that day who were not just rude, but they were MEAN! It was rainy, all three of us were freezing cold and wet. I think we went home and cried when our day was over. That was truly the most discouraging day in the mission field for me.

I do not share the ideas and beliefs of this couple, but I would never wish that type of discouragement on anyone so I gracefully took their pamphlet and thanked them. They asked how we were enjoying the snow and I told them that we were originally from Utah so it was nice to see snow again. They thanked me for my time, I told them to stay warm and I closed the door as they walked away. I wondered if my telling them that we were originally from Utah is the reason they ended the conversation or if they were just there to pass out their literature. Either way, I was glad for the reminder of my mission and I am glad that others are motivated enough by their faith to go out and share it with others. I am SO GRATEFUL for the missionary program in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My mission is what molded me into the person I am today. And even though, I had discouraging moments like the day we tracted Williamsburg Circle Drive in Fairport, New York, I wouldn't trade one day of my mission...not ONE day!

(The Gruesome Threesome: Sister Kenny, me and Sister Moya on P-day on the walkway to the Sacred Grove April 1996)

Our Texas Home....

I know we've lived here for a year and a half, and most of you haven't seen pictures yet. Many of you were asking to see them when we went to Utah, so, here they are!

Decisons, Decisions...

So, it's Christmas time again, my favorite time of year. I can't believe how quickly time flies! We've been in Texas now for a year and half. And we have truly loved living here. Mark and I have made some wonderful friends, learned life-altering lessons, and grown together as a couple and family. But, I think our journey here is not over.

Since losing his job last week, Mark and I have been faced with some tough decisions, yet again. Do we stick it out here in Texas or do we head home to Utah and family? Of course we would love to go home. We WANT to go home. But as I said, I don't think we are finished here. When we made the decision to move to Texas, it was a no-brainer for both of us. We knew it was the right thing to do. We planned on being here for about five years and then heading back. Now that there is really nothing holding us here, the question presents itself: Do we go home? This time the answer is not so easy for us.

Dallas is a great place for Mark to be right now. There are tons of opportunities for him to further his career. There are not so many opportunities in Salt Lake, but I know there are some. It's not like there is a wrong answer here, and I think that is what is making this so difficult for us.

We've spent much time on our knees and in the temple. Mark thinks we'll be back in Utah by June, I'm thinking it will be longer than that. I hope not by much. The kids all want to go back and Mark and I do feel that longing to be near family. I just hope it is sooner than later.

Jackson

Jace

Caden

Brothers....

Pictures!!

Jackson, finding a way to ease the pain of missing his brothers!

As you can see, he has taken over Jace's gameboy! Caden's first day in 4th Grade. He is so excited and he is going to have a GREAT year!
Jace's first day in Kindergarten. He is just so happy to be here!!!

The First Day of School

So, all summer we have been preparing for this day! My 4th grader kept telling me, "Mom, I know you are going to cry." My reply was always, "No tears from me!" So this morning I walked Caden to his class, waved goodbye with a big smile on my face and walked down the hall with my kindergartner. As we were walking it hit me that I was leaving my baby in the hands of complete strangers!!! I dropped him off at his class, the tears just started to flow! Seriously - I cried like a little girl!! I was so mad at myself for crying. Jace just looked at me like I was nuts! He is so ready to for school and he's been so excited about it I know he'll do just great! I talked to his teacher and she assured me that he would be okay - I KNEW he would be, I was just a little more emotional than I expected!

So I got home and my husband gave me a look that let me know he was holding back from making fun of me! But being the perfect husband that he is and KNOWING his boundaries just said, "He's gonna be just fine."

Then there is my youngest who now has to adjust to life without his big brothers. I think it will be hard for him at first, but I'm sure he'll find a way to pass the time! He'll be busy with pre-school and all his friends that come to daycare. Oh, and of course you can't forget the Gameboy! That will certainly ease his pain!