We shall see...

Today was day 2 of my job and having to drive all the way to Ashton on horrible roads in the snow and therefore having to take the truck. As of right now, it is not looking like it is worth it. I need to make something and these past two days I have spent $40 in gas, used up all $40 worth and havent even earned $40 from working. So I am still looking for better jobs. We need to pay things off and definetely SAVE!! Not sure driving to Ashton every day is going to make that happen!

Christmas

Christmas Eve we packed up and went to my parent's house as soon as Brad got off work. We had dinner and got the Traditional Red nightgowns on. After putting the kiddos to bed and wrapping up presents Brad and I went out to the hot tub! It was so nice! The sky was clear and the moon was bright and we could see the stars all while being in the hot tub! Running out there to get in is the hardest part!








Christmas morning Hunter didnt wake up until 8:30! That was great. The kiddos are still young that they werent focused on waking up for presents. In fact, when we got downstairs Hunter didnt even notice the presents or stockings. After a few minutes we had to turn his attention to them and remind him that santa came. Opening presents was fun.






In the afternoon we went sledding. So much fun!!! Hunter mostly likes running down the hill, Brooke and I LOVE going down and let's just say that Brad has snowmobiling in his blood, NOT sledding. My mom even went! The videos of Brad are HILLARIOUS!






This video KILLS ME! Brad is hillarious! He makes me laugh so hard


Then we packed up at 3 and headed to Shelley. The kiddos fell asleep which was a life saver!




When we got to Memaw and Papa Steve's they got out the little snowmobile. I was very proud of Hunter!! he did it all by himself, poor uncle Dave got a good work out. Unfortunately we left our snow clothes behind so he was cold! I love the smile on his face as he comes in.


Then we had a delicious dinner and opened so many presents! We had a good time with family and Hunter loved playing with his cousins!

When we got home we were all exhausted! It was a great Christmas!

A Light Unto All: A Christmas Gift

Please take 6 minutes of your time to watch. Merry Christmas!

Peace

I just got back from an orientation for this new job. I walked in the door and the family room was clean and vacuumed thanks to my awesome husband.

But most importantly I feel peaceful about having to work and this job. I have been sad, torn, and a litle unsure about this specific job so it is really nice to have peace. They are flexible with my schedule wich will be scheduled around Brad's schedule and so the kiddos will have either Mom or Dad home with them. Basically I am working for a company that is paid by medicaid to go into people's homes and do what ever I need to. I will be a CNA/caretaker. It isn always necessarily older people either, but could be adults/children with disabilties. It sounds a heck of a lot more enjoyable than the nursing home I worked for after high school. I hated being rushed and having a HUGE load to care for.

So again, I feel peace, and it feels great.

Miracle

Today a check came in the mail from my sister for the EXACT amount of tithing we just paid. It is a tithing and Christmas miracle. I am humbled, grateful and it is a reminder that the Lord knows our situation, we are not forgotten.

I love you Sister!

Gookie talking

I needed this today

When it rains, it pours.

Just found out this evening that as of Jan 1st our rent will be raised $200. crap..crap....crappy times.

Christmas Shindig

We had a dinner and white elephant exchange with our dear friends before they leave this weekend to all go home for Christmas. It was a good time.

They got presents for the kiddos and it was all things I have been thinking of getting the kiddos! They sure know and love our kiddos. Hunter got a mr. potatoe head and the fishing game and Gookie got a baby doll and my little ponies. Both kiddos LOVE their presents!

Thank you guys! See you next year!

Santa

Hunter was too fast and I didnt have my camera ready to capture him running up to Santa and giving him a big hug!
I love how Gookie goes up once she sees a bag full of goodies. She's smart.

Gookie and Santa

sledding

Hunter and I BOTH giggle when Jill runs him over. Related?

Sledding

Grammie and Papa's driveway made the perfect hill for sledding. I dont know why but watching them go sledding made me giggle.

Girl's Night

Friday we went to Grammie and Papa's house and some girlfriends of mine came too and spent the night. I think it was a get away we all needed!! We went hot tubbing Friday night and stayed up playing games. Then Saturday we took the kiddos to see Hunter, went to a craft fair which we renamed as the "Hippie Fair" and then went sledding! And to top it off they got their car stuck and it took 2 trucks and an hour to pull it out!

It was a ton of fun. Pics and videos being uploaded!

Cant wait to do it again!

The Breakfast argument

We got two big tubs of cheese balls as a white elephant gift. Well we have to hide them or that is all the kiddos will eat. So of course, that's what Hunter wanted for breakfast. I gave him his choices of eggs, cereal or oatmeal. He cried and had a fit. 5 minutes later he said "I dont want oatmeal!!" and opened the fridge and said in a huffy voice, "I want carrots!" . Fine with me. We both won on this one. He is getting what he wants and it's not cheese balls so go to town on those carrots Hunter!

Mixed Feelings

Well with all of the doctor appointments we have been to with Gookie the bills are now coming in and we know that the truck will take a good chunk of $$$. And today we received another bill and I just felt like we are drowning and bills. I am sure MANY of you who are reading this know the feeling. Its a sickening feeling.

For some time now I have applied to many jobs. Knowing the day was going to come when the truck would break down. I called about a job today and basically got the job just by walking in to fill out the application. Although I am very relieved to be able to make some extra money to avoid debt, my heart it sick.

The only job I have EVER wanted is to be a mom. And the thought of leaving my babies is sooooooo hard for me. And yet i know that at this time it HAs to be done. So for now it is a duty and a necessity. It;s either leave my babies for now to get things paid off and money saved, or be drowning financially for quite some times.

I understand that Brad has found a great job, loves it, and it will give him the experience he needs for future better paying jobs. Gotta do what we need to do now to have a better future.

So I am looking on the positive. Thanking Heavenly Father for this oppurtunity to pay off bills and not be in financial bondage. I mean there is nothing more we can do. We only pay $350 for rent and NO Utilities and we have been able to pay the bills we have had. But with the additional ones coming in, I need to work. It is what it is.

EEG

Gookie had her EEG today in Idaho Falls. She did amazing! She sat really well while they hooked up all the wires to her head and even fell asleep. So now we just wait for the results and we are praying they are negative.

My daughter the ham...

Humbled

Our truck is out of commission, the car doesnt have heat and our pockets are empty. This all hit me yesterday and I have been stressing, crying and praying. Only to be greatly humbled by those around me.

My father in law has loaned us a car and so we can drive in heat. We sooo appreciate this. Thank you Papa Steve.

We were gone last night and we were both very stressed as we talked about circumstances on the way home. Only to come home, open the door and walk in to a decorated Christmas tree that our dear friends had bought, set up and decorated for us. Yes, I cried! Thank you so much! It is beautiful and I love it.

We are so thankful for the blessings in our lives that surround us by those we love.

She loves Blueberries. Need I say more?

BLAST OFF!!

For the past two Fridays we have gone to blast off in Idaho Falls. It is an awesome place and we are all happy to get out of the house. This last time we had friends and cousins to play with. See you there Friday!

Hunter Playing

Kiddos Playing

Gookie's First Snow Experience

Snow video 2

Snow Video

Snow!

We needed out of the house! So this afternoon the kids and I bundled up and went outside. We didnt do this last winter because Gookie was only 7 months old. But the kiddos loved it! Gookie would purposely throw herself into the snow and then eat it. And Hunter loved walking and rolling in the snow. Gookie didnt last too long and right now HUnter is outside with Bethany and Joe building a snow man. Good Times.

Last few days

Gookie is no longer keeping her eye patches on. It is so frustrating to find them on the floor all over! So I got an ace bandage and I will try wrapping it around her head tomorrow. Sounds awful i know, but her eye isnt getting better when its not getting stronger.

Brad has had 5 days off and it has been nice to have him home. We havent really done anything, but atleast we are together.

Gookie was supposed to get her EEG tomorrow but I had to change it because we dont have the truck up and running and Brad's car doesnt have heat.

Tonight Brad and I were able to go to WINCO together without the kiddos. Hunter was asleep when we left and dear Bethany stayed here with the kiddos. I am so glad not to have had to bundle them up for the car without a heater.

Today Bethany and I went to the gym. And would you believe that I lost a pound?!? I thought for sure I had gained back everything and then these last 3 days I have tried really hard to have some self control with food. And I am so happy that it has paid off!

Now I plan to take a bath and defrost my toes.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

I asked Brad if we could do this and he said no. Bah Humbug!!

I love that they are singing a song about the Savior and not just Jingle Bells or something.

I knew it would happen, and today it did

For a few months now I have felt that the truck was going to die any day. I just knew that it was going to happen by the end of the year. It has been having problems and we havent been able to do anything about it financially.

The last 2 months I have been applying for jobs, knowing that we would need money because the truck was going to die, or "explode" as I would tell Brad.

Well today, we left my parents' house and I had a thought "the truck is going to explode". I kid you not, 2 minutes later the truck "exploded". It was chugging, making crazy noises, jerking and then a bang in the back and we couldnt do anything. We were a few miles outside of Tetonia and my brother was with us. My parents came and the kiddos and I rode in their car, following Brad very slowly home.

We are grateful to be home safe and sound. I am extremely grateful that I wasnt driving and alone with the kids, as this is how i envisioned it happening.

So with the truck out of commision, Boise State and BYU losing, it has been a very adventurous 2 days.

Just another day in Paradise

Playing Catchup

I havent been as dutiful with blogging and there are things I have missed. Here are pictures of when Hunter was able to go bowling with Papa Steve and Memaw. He got all his marbles in the cup!

Here are pictures of Gookies first haircut!! Beth cut off that awful long stand of hair in the back that made her have a mullet, a true Idahoan!

And some other pics of the kiddos.

Frigid

I think that word best captures the weather yesterday. We had a blizzard and all the roads were closed. It was so windy. Last night Brad and I were able to go to Harry Potter (could have sat for another 3 hours it was so amazing). I was soooo cold! It was in the negatives with the wind chill! In our kitchen our window has ice on the INSIDE. Yet we are warm and toasty.

This morning I took Hunter to preschool and it was 10 degrees but we dont have any wind so it is much warmer than yesterday. Pretty crazy that 10 degrees is "warm" compared to yesterday.

Gookie's Appointment

So on Monday Gookie went to the neurologist in Idaho Falls. We were late, the weather was bad and we saw atleast 5 cars that has slid off the road. Brad helped one lady out of a drift, what a man! ANywho

The Doctor was a wack job and we will NEVER see him again. He was strange and weird and walked out without a word to us to answer his cell phone, didnt ever make eye contact with us and when he was done just walked out of the room and Brad and I looked at eachother and said "uh, do we leave now?" Gookie will get an EEG to see if she is having seizures and then if so, we will definitely go to another neurologist. Brad and I both walked away feeling sick to our stomachs after seeing this guy, feeling unsettled I guess. We did not like his "bedside manner" I guess you can say.

So really, I wont know anything until the EEG and the hospital is supposed to call me and schedule that.

Hunter's Directions

I was just writing on a note pad directions for my mom on how to get around Idaho Falls, where Winco was in relation to the Mall etc. "You can turn on this exit and it will take you to WINCO and then if you go down farther to 17th st....."

Hunter got his own notepad and a crayon and was drawing and said his own directions. here they are " You sliiiiiiide down someone's back and POP!!! the popcorn and go down the mountain then up the mountain and that takes you to Grandpa Landon's!"

My Daughter the pirate

Today was Gookie's eye appointment. My parents came early today to watch Hunter for me while I took Gookie. I am SOO thankful they did as we were there for 2 hours. grammie and papa took Hunter to wal mart and to McDonalds where he played and played the whole time.

Meanwhile we get to the dr office and they didnt have Gookie on the schedule at all. The sitting room was packed and I had to sit on the floor. Thankfully they had some great toys and Brooke handled that hour really well.

The hardest part was waiting in the room but the front desk had some candy and i went out and grabbed some and the pacified her. Until she ran out, so the door stopper was her next source of entertainment and I let her go to town. The Doctor was in the next room and that was Gookie's not so settle way of telling him to hurry up, and he did.

Yes she definitely has a lazy eye and her brain is telling it to not be used as much. He checked her out real well and i totally trusted him and like him. For now, she will wear an eye patch on her good eye for 4 hrs a day for 2 weeks to strengthen the muscles in her bad eye. Dont really know how the patch will stay on as i know she will rip it off, but i will be diligent as i dont want her to have a crazy eye!!

Also i talked to him about my suspicions of mini seizures and what she does and how both eyes look totally dead and i cant snap her out of it. he said it sounded exactly like these mini seizures (he had a medical term for them) and that that would contribute to a lack of visual development. So i am glad that we are going to the Neurologist next week.

For now, Gookie will walk around with an eye patch and will call her our pirate.

A Sick, Snowy, Sunday

Last night Hunter slept in my bed and Gookie slept in her port a crib in my room and we had the humidifier going full blast! Poor Brad was banished to Hunter's bed. Yes, the kiddos and I have colds. The miserable part seems to be 2 days and I am on day 2. Hunter and Gookie have runny noses and just started last night horrible coughs. I also twisted my back yesterday by getting out of the back seat of the truck! Pretty lame! So the kiddos and I will stay home from church and luckily Brad is able to go and teach the lesson.

Right now Gookie is napping and Hunter is watching Peter Pan. Bethany and Beth rented it yesterday for him. A little bit ago he came to me so sad and he said "Mom, I cant fly. I dont have any sparklies (pixy dust)!! And he threw himself on my lap and laid there for a while.

Big snowflakes are falling as i type this. And I am loving it (because I dont have to drive in it)

Hunter's Tail

I used an old monkey costume and changed it up to be a bear this Halloween. I cut off the long tail and put on a short fluffy one. Since then, Hunter plays with the monkey tail everyday ALL DAY. I love hearing him and what he imagines up. He will either wear the tail and be a different animal, or the tail itself will be some animal. He is so imaginative, I LOVE IT! So yesterday he was wearing the tail and I took pictures to show you what it looked like. And yes, he wore it this way to "McCicles" (what he calls Arctic Circle). He asked me to take it off for him after it was hindering play time by other kids stepping on it.




Here Hunter is shaking Gookie's hand and saying "nice to meet 'cha!"



Gookie's Crazy eye. How can Brad NOT notice? Definitely taking picture to the doctor on Thursday. BIG difference.