And We Are Back... Again!

I am one of those people who has started writing in their journal at least 30 times. I am finding that blogging is EXACTLY like journaling for me. I'm working on it. This is my newest restart.

As a family and individually we are doing great. I'm gonna break it down for ya.

As a family:
*We visited Heidi♥Ben and family for a week during December. ♥ them dearly.

*The rest of December went quick. Rad, Cade and I battled bronchitis during the holidays but enjoyed a Christmas in Sandpoint visiting with family.

*This year is flying by but we are in a really good place as a family. We are a happy family unit and for that I am so grateful.

CADE
He keeps us on our toes. He keeps us laughing.

He had a bad stomach virus in early January... like explosive runs. The runs are not so frequent anymore but he has not had a solid bowel movement since. Crappy. We have him on a strong pro biotic. If this one does not do the trick it'll be the start to a round of tests. I'm hoping that it's just a bacteria imbalance and that he will be back to good soon.

We recently bought him a dirt bike. It's a 50CC with some great graphics. He is looking forward to racing with Rad this summer.

His favorite color is purple and he LOVES ninjas.

He has been having bad dreams involving bears that make him scared at nights. So we talked about prayers and how prayer can help calm fears. The other night I put him to bed and he asked "Mom, when I ask Jesus for help how long does it take him to get here?"

RAD
Is reading! He enjoys kindergarten and loves primary.

He gave his first primary talk this year and did so great!

In January he slipped on the ice at school and ended up with a concussion. He was put on "brain rest" for 2 weeks. He missed a bunch of school, couldn't read or watch movies or do anything physical. It was easier than I thought it would be. We checked out some books on CD from the library and that kept him busy enough.

I constantly here from the adults at his school how sweet and good he is. He is such a great example to me so often. Last Sunday I had promised Derrick that I would make him his favorite dessert. Our chickens failed to lay me any eggs and I didn't have any in the fridge. So I was going to stoop to an "ox in the mire" moment and head to the store after church. When Rad asked where we headed and I told him, he said "Mom, we should not buy things on Sunday. You can make the dessert tomorrow because it will not be Sunday so you can buy eggs tomorrow." Slap. I turned the suburban right around and went home to keep the Sabbath Day Holy.

Shayli
Is growing up so quick! She is fun to be around again and is such a good student!

She consistently gets A's and B's in her classes. We were so proud of her when she received an A+ in her welding class. She is definitely Derrick's little girl.

We recently made her the happiest Freshman in Sandpoint when we told her that we were going to pay for her to start Drivers Ed. Yes, our little Shayli can officially start drivers ed in Idaho. She will be able to legally drive with us in July. Yikes!

She has been a great help to Derrick on his Sunday paper route and around the farm.

Her attitude is one to boast about. I certainly would have been a much better sister, friend and daughter if I had her attitude at 14.

Derrick
Is the husband that I love so much. Marriages have their ups and downs. Our is in an up moment and we are both so thankful for that and are more than willing to put for the effort to keep it flying high.

He has been doing a paper route 3 days a week and I totally admire him for that. The boys and I have gone twice and I'm not cut out for it. Driving around on icy roads from 2am-7am while trying to keep my eyes open and freezing my cheeks off because the window has to be down. It's too much for my weak little self.

Some days he does that paper route and then comes home just long enough to help me get the kids ready for school before he heads out with Cade to Sandpoint where he has done a fantastic job helping my parents with the remodel of their new home. He amazes me.

He does not love our pigs as much as he used too. We have butchered 2 of them and he can not wait to do the next 2. He has decided that he does not want to raise pigs. He has agreed to try one round of breeding the 2 pigs that we will keep (for the time being) and go from there.

He works so hard around the home and he just finished painting the family room, living room and kitchen. He did a beautiful job and we are all so happy with the new look. He will do the kids rooms next week.

He and Alex split the cost of a beat up pickup truck that they are going to turn into a project rig for the upcoming mud bog. I'm excited to see them so excited.

ME
I am happy. I feel like it has been so long since I can honestly say that I am happy. I am happy Spiritually, Professionally, Financially, with my relationships and with myself.

I am finally back to a routine with my scripture study. I am preparing for my lessons more and doing better at praying as a family. Those things make such a difference in my life! My goal is to be hitting up the Temple at least once a month by July. I look forward to the peace that I know I will feel.

I have 3 different jobs right now and I love them all. I still substitute teach and have graduated from the elementary school to including the Middle School too. I love it. I love the students. Job 2 is working for a man that invented and sells The Mingo Marker. Google it. It's a really neat invention and I am thankful to be able to be part of the dream that this guy has made a reality. Job 3 is working at a hospital. My title is "Health Unit Coordinator". Basically I work in the ER and the Acute Care portion of the hospital. I admit patients, discharge patients, deal with insurance, help the doctors and nurses, call for and "greet" the ambulances and helicopters, and all kinds of other things that I really love. I love the people that I work with and the people that come to the hospital needing medical attention for whatever the need might be. Substitute teaching is as needed. The Mingo is a few hours a week and super flexible and the hospital is also as needed... typically one or two shifts per week and the shifts are 12 hours long, some nights and some days. I still have plenty of time to be a Mom, keep up on the home, do homework with the kids, plan meals, and volunteer in Rad's class. I love it. That's what I really want to do and I am so thankful to be able to do those things again. Who knew that it would take 3 jobs to have so much more time at home then I did with the 1 job?

It has finally started snowing here. It seems as though we hardly had any this winter. Now that it is March we have a yard full of snow. It's pretty and cold.

The farm is going well. We have a bunch of barn cats, 5 rabbits... 2 are expecting Easter Bunnies, 4 pigs, a bunch of chickens, 2 dog and 1 goat who should be having babies in the next few weeks. We are soon to order 100 meat birds and remodel the barn to accomodate them.

Life is good. So good. ♥