Student of the Month

Congratulations to my wonderful, beautiful, smart, etc, etc, etc, daughter for being the student of the month! We love you McKenzie!!!

Zion's

Last weekend we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to stay in a million dollar cabin down in Zion's Ponderosa. It was amazing!! A little scary getting there- driving through a huge snowstorm. THere was about two feet of snow on the roads, no plows were out, but luckily neither were other cars. So, we just put it into 4-wheel drive and took it nice and slow. We finally made it there around 9:30 at night- we left at 3:00. But it was worth it!!! If I could design a dream house and not have to worry about money, this would be pretty darn close!! And it was HUGE. On the main floor there were 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, a large family room and the kitchen/dinning area. The master had a king size bed and the other 2 had queen beds. Upstairs was a loft area with 6 sets of bunkbeds and another bathroom. In the basement there were three more bedroom (2 with queen and another bunk bed room with 3 sets of beds), a large family/game room with a wet bar and a theater room. It was an amazing place! No body wanted to go home.

This is the master bedroom (it also had a fireplace)

The upstairs family room

Kitchen and dinning area

The theater room

Part of the downstairs family room

The outside of the "cabin"

Some of the snow and ice we had around the cabin

A view from the front door

We were a little snowed in :)

It's a BOY!

So, here is the newest member of our family. A cute little 12 week old toy poodle named Kirby. My Mom thought that with all the bad news that we have had we needed a "Puppy Pick me up". So Saturday she called and gave me the number of someone selling toy poodles. I called and picked him up. He is so good with kids. He just follows the kids around, kisses them on the face and just loves them. And we haven't had any "accidents" yet. He goes potty outside. Thanks so much Mom for such a wonderful surprise!!

So now...

Okay, I am sure that most of you know by now that the house that we built actually was sold to someone else on Christmas Eve. And surprisingly I was okay with it (well after about 30 minutes of crying and feeling sorry for myself). We thought that we would keep our house in the market for at least a little while to see what happened. Pug actually applied for a promotion with John Deere that everyone said was his. Well, we just found out that they gave it to someone from New Mexico- Pug was second, but unfortunately 2nd is not good enough in this case. So, for now we have decided to take our house off the market and kind of regroup and see what we want to happen, or more like what will happen. It was hard getting a double blow like that, but what can I do but move on? Life has it's challenges, and hopefully I am learning what I need to learn from these and others that are happening now. But I must remember, I am very lucky. We didn't have to move. We can afford our house, our kids are happy and healthy, my husband loves and cherishes me, I have a good ward, wonderful friends, and a family that will support me through anything. What more could I ask for in life? A bigger house and better paying job will come in time (and hopefully baby #4), but until that time comes I need to just be happy with what I have been given.

Holiday's 2009

Here are just a few pictures of the happenings this holiday season.

Pug's sister Heather came up from Arizona for Christmas this year. We all went up to Temple Square to see the lights. Our kids have so much fun together!

I just thought that this was a cute picture of Abby and her Daddy so I had to post it :)

McKenzie always wanted a dress coat to wear to church, so this year for Christmas she got one. I think it makes her look so grown up.

All three kids in the Christmas Sunday attire.

Cameron sporting his new white shirt and tie- he didn't want to be in the picture and was mad that I made him.

Abby in her new dress. I love sweater dresses!

Every Christmas Eve we get to open up one present. Always pajamas from my mom. Thanks again Mom for the way cute jammies!!

This one got out of order-
For Abby's preschool field trip we went to see Santa. Last year Abby did NOT like Santa, in fact she called him the "Bad Man." I thought things might be a little different this year, NOPE! She still would not go anywhere close to him (unless I was there). It might be hard to tell in the picture, but Abby was holding on to me for dear life. At least she likes him from a distance this year, baby steps.

For New Year's Eve we were able to spend the night at our good friends, the Naccarato's, house. We ate way too much, played many many many games, stayed up way too late and got up way too early. It was so much fun! Then they let us tag along with them as they went bowling. What a great way to ring in the new year!

Well, here's to hoping this year is as wonderful as the last.

Naughty or Nice

Conversation between me and Cameron:
Cameron: "Mom, I really, really, really want a DS for Christmas."
Me: "Well, you have asked Santa for one, now all you need to do is make sure you are being a good boy."
Long moment of pause
Cameron: "Mom, do you think that you could get me a DS?"

Fun times!!

Faith without work is dead

I am absolutely amazed at the hand of God in my life. When we first put our house on the market back in May we went to the builder and picked out our house and our lot and put money down to buy it. We had until July 23 to get our house under contract or we would lose the lot and house. We had prayed and felt that this was right, this was where we needed to be. July 23rd came and went and nothing- so, we lost it. We were sad because we felt that was where we were supposed to be. Then in September we got an offer on our house. We put an offer on a beautiful home in the Ranches, but they accepted the offer they received just a few hours before our came in. We were heartbroke and discouraged. Pug took off work early that day and drove around. He ended up at our old lot and found a hole had just been dug. He stopped in at the model home and found out that they were building "our" house on "our" lot as a spec home. We were able to again put money down on the house, we just had to close by the 24th of October. Well, then our buyers backed out, but the agent with the builder gave us an extension to get our house sold, December 8th. Well, that day came and went, and we thought we were just out of luck and that maybe that we weren't supposed to be there. But the agent called Pug up and said that she really feels that we need to be in that house, so amazingly enough, she has found a way for us to yet again extend out contingency for another 30 days to get our house sold. I don't know why every time I think the door has closed and we aren't going to get that house another one opens. But, faith without work is dead, so I am doing all that I can to get a buyer. And I am asking you again to help me. I know that someone out there knows someone who is looking for a great house in a very low price range (we have dropped the price again down to $165,900) the $8000 first time home buyer has been extended and our house qualifies. With the rural housing loan, and with us paying $5000 in closing costs the mortgage payments would only be about $1015 (give or take a few). So please spread the word. And thanks for listening to my woes.