Life Has So Many Challenges

 Holy Cow! This year is flying by and life seems to never stop being busy.  I feel like I am going a hundred miles an hour all day long.  It is hard to believe that I already have a Christmas tree up in my living room and that Thanksgiving is this week. Where has this year gone?  

Our lives took a royal change of course in September. I started my new job at BYU and love it so much!  I get to start meetings with prayer, go to weekly devotionals, go on outings, have friends and feel wanted.  It is the best thing ever!  I am still trying to learn everything and am so excited for my area to get busy for the year and feel like I am helping others to come to Christ.  

I was at work one day, when Rob called.  He asked if I could talk to I went outside. He proceeded to tell me that his two coworkers had met with their supervisor that morning and were both laid off.  He also was asked to meet with him and received the same news.  It was a shock but yet, I had a feeling it might happen. His company had been downsizing but we thought his area was safe.  Apparently, it was not.  All the emotions hit me at once - mad, worried, stressed, sad, but also peace.  I asked to work from home the rest of the day so I could be with Rob.  When I got home, we held each other and cried. I assured Rob it was not his fault and it was nothing he had done wrong. We talked a long while and started to make new plans.  We had a Mediterranean cruise schedule two weeks later and decide we were still going. We could not get our money back at that point, and we needed to take a break to figure out life. 

The cruise was magical. Boyd and Brittnie went with us as well as three of my siblings and their spouses plus Rob's sister.  We had long flights, noisy nights, and lots and lots of walking, but it was so great. The  world is absolutely beautiful and we were able to enjoy places we have never seen before.   I am amazed at how others live and was so happy to enjoy it. It was fun to be with my two children and bond with them.  I really truly have the best family ever. 

We got back from the cruise and life was back to normal - somewhat.  Rob started the job hunt and I would go to work.. It was and is still hard some days and the worries are still there.  However, we try to remind ourselves that Heavenly Father knew and was preparing us.  I got a job that made a lot more money (not as much as we lost) but enough.  Rob had medical procedures scheduled that were able to be done one day before we lost his insurance. I was able to pick up all benefits from day one so we had no lapse in insurance coverage at all.   We also got a large severance pay that will hold us over for another month or so.  

Rob has spent hours applying for jobs, but with no luck at all.  He spends other hours (and I mean hours), working on 3D decorations and has gone to, or will go to, many farmers markets or shows to try to sell his stuff.  My basement is now Santa's workshop. He is doing okay, but definitely not anywhere near what he was making.  I am worried that he is  wearing out and will not enjoy the holidays. He has markets every weekend from now until Christmas and must make new stuff in between to have it to sell.  I try to have faith and not let him know that I am worried, but we both have our moments when the tears come and we hold each other to give each other strength.  We are learning a new level of trust, and I feel like we are both stronger for it as well as our marriage, 

A big concern is that Skyler has not had a job for about six months and we have been paying for all his stuff too.  However, he finally got a job and starts tomorrow. I worry that he will hate it (and he probably will, but hopefully he will be committed) as he will work graveyard shifts and 10 hour days. His job will relieve some of the burden from us.   Boyd is still looking so hopefully he  will get something soon.  

I am not sure what Rob will do. He would really like to just do his printing job. I worry as it is all self employment so there is no 401, no future benefits, taxes are high etc, but I kind of hope he does not get anything until January.  We are doing okay and can make it work.  We just might not be able to do all the extra things anymore. I so want to plan a trip. Rob turns 60 next year and I want to go somewhere, but we will have to see.  

For now, I just want to enjoy the holidays.  Cortnie and Johnathan will be here next week for Thanksgiving and Skyler will be here part of the time too. It will be the first time since the wedding we are all together.  I also just want to enjoy the season.  I am writing our sacrament meeting Christmas program again which is always a challenge. I also love the spirit of the season.  I want to remember our Savior and bring His love into our home.  Without Him, we would be nothing.  How grateful I am for Him and for His love.  I have felt the love and warmth of His arms so much the past couple of months and hope to continue to feel that peace.  

Another New Chapter

 I have been reading and hearing a lot from church leaders that it is important to keep a journal. When I was young, I never missed a day.  Now, it is good if I don't miss a year.  I need to do better, but life is busy and when I think about it I am so tired.  I need to make a new commitment and try to do better. 

However, I wanted to quickly write today about seeing God's hand in my life.  Work has not been easy the past 16 months with the migration to a new company, new supervisors, different views, different methods etc.  I have struggled but have continued to say how grateful I am just to have a job.  (I have two sons right now who do not and that is very hard - both financially as we are helping, and emotionally watching them go through it).  However, I have not been happy at my job for quite a while. I feel unappreciated, left out, lonely and the days are so long.  I had interviewed a couple of places but nothing came of it so I had kind of put it in the back of my mind. 

Then about a month ago, my dear friend from the temple texted me about a new job where she worked at BYU.  She said I should really apply and her boss was hoping I would. I had interviewed there before with no luck so was hesitate to do it again.  However, I thought why not.  I put in my application and was told I was one of the top candidates.  I had my first interview which I felt went very well. My friend, La, told me I did awesome (she was in the interview) and that I should be excited.  Two days later, I was invited back again for an interview with the dean and was one of two candidates that gets that interview.  I was so stressed.  I was not telling anyone about this but my immediate family and I was trying not to get my hopes up. Rob had given me blessings to rely on the Lord and to be calm.  I left the second interview almost in tears.  I had gotten so hot during the interview, I had to stop my conversation to regain composure. I was putting all my faith in the Lord and even fasted that day.  I did not feel good about it. However, Jennie, the supervisor of the position, walked me out and said they really liked me.  I was told if I was selected I would get an email requesting permission to do a background check. This email only goes to one of the two candidates.  I went home, hopeful, but again trying not to get too excited. 

The next day, I got an email while at work.  I immediately ran outside and called Rob.  I had the job!  I could not believe it.  I was so stocked and it was hard to go back inside and not say anything.  Then the next week, the dean was on vacation, so I had to wait almost ten days for an offer letter.  Jennie called me the Monday he was back and extended me an offer.  I had to ask her twice what she said. The amount they were giving me was higher than the job application had said the top pay would be.  I was going to be making almost 20% more than I was and the benefits were outstanding. How could I say no.  Rob totally agreed so an offer was signed.  

It was somewhat hard to tell my company that I was leaving.  I have a good team and they were the ones that were totally shocked. They could not believe it and kept asking me if I was sure.  The last day they made me feel like a queen with lunch, a plant and a road trip to Dairy Queen for milkshakes.  I did tear up when I left them.  I know they will do well, but they have been there for me over the transition. 

As I think about this, there is no doubt in my mind, that this is what I am supposed to do.  I did not seek this job, it was given to me.  I did not ask for a raise (I was willing to take less actually), but I got one.   I will have the best benefits in the state that include 47 days a year of PTO, sick and holidays.  I can go to classes and events for free.  I can work with a great friend and other faculty and be happy again.  I start tomorrow. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve so excited to see what the next day has to offer.   I am beyond grateful to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity.  I know it was His hand that made this possible.  I will be forever grateful!  

One more benefit is they are still allowing me to take a 10 day vacation in just over a month. We have a Mediterranean Cruise planned with  two of my kids and many siblings.  They are even going to pay me while I am gone.  

Life is good. It still has it moments of struggles and hardships, but I now that if I rely on my Heavenly Father, He will guide me.  I love giving back to him in the temple every week as an ordinance worker. It is hard to believe I have been doing that for over four years.  My children are well.  Dreams are unfulfilled and as their mother I put a lot of that blame on myself.  I pray daily they will have answers, jobs, spouses, friends, testimonies, strength and happiness.  That is what this life is all about.  How grateful I am to have Rob as my mentor and companion to walk together to eternity with.  

Now, to try to get some sleep before the big day tomorrow.  I can hardly wait!

Wedding Day

 Well, if you look at the title of this post, you will see that is it something that I have not mentioned.  We actually had a wedding. So yes, I have missed a whole lot over the past year once again  I really should get better, but life passes by so quickly.  

Cortnie was asked to marry the love of her life in October of last year.  I will be honest, it was hard to get excited about her engagement. Jonathan is a great guy and I know he loves her, but he is not a member of the church and it was so hard to get to know him since the both live in Florida. They met five years ago while Cortnie was working for Disneyworld.  They started to date and soon fell in love. Cortnie left to go to graduate school three years ago in Boston, but there love survived a long distance relationship.  We have met Jonathan many times, but he was so quiet and we had a hard time getting to know him.  He seems super friendly, and we tried to so hard, but honestly it felt like he wanted nothing to do with us. I also knew that marrying him meant that I would not see my daughter very often and she would be like me - missing out on so many family things living so far away. 

However, my heart has changed. The day of their wedding was magical. I felt a deep peace and love for Jonathan like I have not felt before.  As they said their vows to each other, I knew in my heart that it was meant to be.  I know that Cortnie took the matter to prayer and found that our for herself too. They have talked about how they will have the church in their lives and for now, she will go by herself. He has said when they have children she can take them, and that he will support her.  I just pray that one day he will want to see what the church is all about and want to join them. I hope it is not the opposite where he pulls her away.  

Her wedding was magical.  The weather was absolute gorgeous, (the wedding was outside) and the day was so fun. I won't lie, it was stressful getting to that point, but we had eight months to get it ready. Rob had so many projects that he built for her; we hosted parties and dinners; we ordered donuts and cookies and bought so much soda; we laughed and cried; we got a little bit anxious when the wedding was supposed to start in 20 minutes and Cort and I were still needing our hair done.  But, it was all perfect.  Once the music started and I was escorted to my seat by my two sons, it was amazing.  I was so proud. I felt so pretty and so loved by so many people who came.  Watching her walk down the aisle with her father was so touching - but I did not cry.  I was just so proud of the beautiful woman that she was.  After the ceremony, we ate, laughed, danced, ate some more, talked with friends, ate even more and then kissed them goodbye. I honestly could not have asked for a more perfect day for my perfect daughter and her husband.  I was the happiest I have been in a long time. 

I still worry that I won't see them much; that I will lose the closeness I have with her; that the bound we have with Jonathan will wither away, but I am putting my faith and trust in them and in my Heavenly  Father.  I know this is right and I am so excited to see where their future holds them. 

As for the rest of the family, they endured the wedding. Her brothers both wore white shirts and ties (and yes, brown shoes), her dad put on a suit and her sister was her Maid of Honor.  They were there for her the day she needed them most.  However, now that life is back to normal, we have sons without jobs, a garden growing, hard times at work and other everyday adventures.

I worry about Skyler a lot as he was doing so well with his job, had enrolled in a trade school and he seemed so happy. Then one day they let him go.  Now he sits in his room alone all day long waiting for school to start in two weeks and applies for jobs everyday. He had four interviews but nothing came of them and nothing more has come up. We are paying his rent and truck which causes some pressure on us, but it is all good.  We will make it through. 

Boyd has decided to leave his job after this school year.  I worry that he will just sit around everyday, but he promised he will not.  He is trying to create a project that hopefully will get him some attention in the work force and will find another job.  Britt continues to work in benefits and seems to enjoy it. She misses Alaska and I miss it for her.  I try to do things with her but so wish she had a friend.  I wish so much more for all my kids. 

Rob is doing so much better health wise. He no longer has diabetes but continues to monitor what he eats. We still have our struggles, but I feel like we are getting better.  I so wish I could run away to Hawaii or a beach with him for just a few days, We do have a Mediterranean Cruise in the fall which I can hardly wait for, 

As for me, I try to be happy. Some days it is really hard with my job. I so wish I could work from home.  I love working in the temple still and love my little nursery friends I get to play with hand teach each week.  I am so grateful for all that I have and that life is good. 

Wow, A Whole Year

 I tell myself all the time, that I need to do better at keeping my blog, i.e. journal, up to date, but life just passes me by so quickly.  I think many times that I have nothing to say that is exciting so why put it in writing. I go to work, I take care of my family, I cook and clean, I serve in the church - so what is so exciting about all of that?  One thing I do know, is I want people, especially my family, to know how grateful I am for them and for their love. They make me who I am and they are the reason my days sometimes seem so routine. However, I really would want it no other way.  My goal is to make them happy and be the best they can be. 

So, after a year, is there a way for me to remember all that has been said and done?  There is not.  I can highlight some fun points that have happened and try to do better going forward.  We did go on a family cruise last year.  Brittnie gave it to us for Christmas and we headed to the Caribbean.  I love the warm weather! I love going on any type of vacation with my family and just relaxing. Cruises are a great way to do that.  We played in the sun, rented four-wheelers, and of course, had to stop at Walt Disney World on our way home to go to the Halloween party. This year Rob convinced us all to dress as characters from the Haunted Mansion. Dressing up is so not my thing. I am not comfortable doing it, and I feel like I am never pretty enough for the costume I get.  (In fact, my self esteem is always really low in that area. I never feel pretty and so wish I was and could feel that way). However, that is for another day.  

It is always a great time when all of my kids are home. There have been few quick trips that Cortnie has come home for and Skyler will try to come down as well.  We were able to all be together for Christmas this year which I always cherish.  I love to spoil my kids rotten, but many times feel like I am just buying them "things" that will sit on a shelf.  I have toyed many times with a Christmas vacation/trip, but Skyler tells me that is not Christmas and he would not go. Right now, I am more about memories than I am about stuff.  Maybe one of these years, I will win. We are going on another cruise in the fall which is a Disney cruise. Cortnie is not sure she can come, but I sure hope it will work out that she can.  I would love one more family cruise before our family changes,

That brings me to the biggest news, which is also the most recent. Cortnie is engaged! Jonathan proposed two weeks ago and I was told to keep it quiet as they were coming for a visit and she wanted to tell everyone.  This is the first time Jonathan has been to Utah and the first time to meet many of our family members. He is very quiet but really opened up this time.  I have seen a fun side of him before so it was fun to have that while we were here. I think he was a little bit overwhelmed with meeting everyone, but I am so glad he came. We spent all the nights playing card games and he can dish out the fun just like everyone else. They were only here for three days, but in that time we found Cortnie's bridal gown and looked at venues.  The wedding is not until April or May (I so wish it was this fall, but I have to honor their wished) so we have lots of time to plan.  I worry about buying a dress 10 months early, but she was afraid they would not sell it anymore so it is ordered.  Let's hope it all works out!  Our family is growing!  

I will have to say I have been very concerned for Brittnie.  I know her heart wants to be married so badly, but instead she gets to be the Maid of Honor at her sister's wedding. It is hard for her, but she is doing a pretty good job. She did not go back to Alaska this year, and I know she missed it.  She started working as a benefits coordinator at my work and was afraid if she went back she would not have a job upon returning. She is trying to find a place to use her free cruise and someone to go with her.  My heart prays that will happen. Rob and I are supposed to be going on a sibling trip to the Dominican Republic in two weeks, but my brothers have all dropped out. I keep wondering if we should go due to the wedding cost and feeling like maybe we should cruise with Brittnie. We have to decide by tonight though so that will be in my next post. 

The boys are doing well. Skyler has been promoted at his work to a shift lead. He really enjoys working at this girls rehab center and helping the teenage girls find their lives again. He even volunteered to work on Christmas so they were not alone. Boyd is still struggling to find a job. I worry about him as he stays in his room a lot and misses church more than he goes.  I so hope his testimony is stronger than I think. 

Rob and I continue to struggle.  We have personal struggles that we are working through. I love him so much, but sometimes I feel like it is not enough. I will admit I worry sometimes for our marriage.  We love doing things together but that spark seems to be missing. We did go to Hawaii again this year with our friends and it was amazing.  We had two sets of friends there (one was not planned but it ended up that way) and I am so glad. Mike and Sierra are like kids to us and we love to be with them and their kids.  They were in Kauai with us and we swam, hiked, froze in waterfalls, and just had plain fun.  James and Brenda went but it was different with them. Brenda has some health challenges, so she did not want to do a lot but I was in Hawaii and was going to enjoy myself.  Hawaii is always a nice trip! 

Life goes on. We have made it through more biking accidents, through an engagement, through job changes and so much more.  Rob still struggles some days with his health, but we are learning to make the most of what we have. We are truly blessed.  I am so grateful for all that I have. I am thankful for my Savior and to serve in the temple every week. I am so thankful for the green grass and my growing garden. It is so beautiful here and I am so grateful for it.  Life is good  - and I am happy. 

Proud to Be Who I am

 As I sit here this beautiful Sunday afternoon, I can not stop reflecting on all of the blessings that I have.  It is Mother's Day and I am so grateful and proud to be a mother.  I was blessed to be sent to a mother who has inspired me, served me, worried me, loves me, and has shown me how to be the mother that I am today.  I also have a wonderful mother-in-law who raised the wonderful man that I chose to marry.  One who loves me unconditionally and learned to much from her.  It truly is a great time to be a mother, a wife, a daughter, a woman.  I am proud of who I am.

We visited Rob's mom this morning in the care center and I love to watch the smile on her face as she slowly wakes up from her slumber to see her son standing next to her. Her whole room brightens up and she gets so happy.  I never imagined that she would spend the last three years and most likely the rest of her life confined to a bed. She was so active and outgoing. I pictured going on trips with her, having her at graduations and weddings, and growing old with her grandchildren around her. It truly breaks my heart to see her that way, but how I love her!  She has been such a good example to me and gave me my husband - my best friend.  I just pray that soon she will be able to rejoin her husband in heaven and once again be able to run and laugh and serve they way she used to.  I told Rob today, that I often think when birthdays or mothers days come that I wonder if there will be another one to spend with them. I hope she remembers how much we love her in the mind of hers that tends to wonder quite often.

My mother will be here shortly. I worry about her as well. She too has many health issues and can not do much. She has come a long way in the past year and has overcome so many challenges.  It is great to see her doing things again,  but I long to take her shopping or to a movie or to lunch. She does not get out much anymore and when she does is so worn out the next day. Like my mother-in-law, I thought that she would be able to be more involved and do so much more. It is so hard to watch them get older and realize that they will not be here forever. My heart breaks to think about that, but how grateful I am that I know we will be together forever.  The times I am wishing we had now, we will get again. We will be able to do them all in heaven and without any pain or suffering.  How I love my mother.  She makes me laugh with her phone calls, and still worries about me and my children everyday.  She truly is an example to me and I adore her  strength.  I pray that she too will be able to be happy and continue to do some of the things she loves. 

My family is my pride and joy.  I could not go today without saying how grateful I am for the man who made me a mother.  He is my best friend.  We are not perfect and I think often that there were many things that we could have done different in raising our kids - maybe if we did, they would have different lives today.  However, we have done it together. We have stayed strong in the church. We have built a beautiful home and now get to live close to our family. We go on bike rides and plant gardens.  My heart still adores him when he holds my hand and it flutters when he walks by.  I love him more than I could ever say.  I surprised him with a trip to Hawaii in March. It was one of the best things we have ever done.  We had no plans so we just woke up and did whatever we felt like. It was so relaxing. We needed it after this past year. We had scares for him of kidney stones, a fall from his bike resulting in a broken collar bone (putting him in surgery was not fun - I hate when they wheel them away), and now his oxygen has been so low and his heart rate so high.  I worry about him constantly and hope that he can overcome this latest scare.  I want to share many more years with him.  I want to travel, to laugh, to hold grandchildren, to love him.  I pray for him everyday and I am sure he gets annoyed with me calling to check on him.  But, I want him around on earth for many more years before we share eternity together.  

My children continue to make me proud, worried, stressed, happy, sad, joyful, young and so much more.  I love watching them grow, but I would not be truthful if I did not say that I wish so much more for them. I wish they had more friends, a better social life, better jobs, spouses, children and so forth. I try not to talk about it much as I know it hurts them as well.  I just keep praying that their dreams will come true. I want to be here to support them and help them and I am slowly learning that I need to not interfere so much. I  need them to live their lives and help when they ask. I am not good at that, but I am really trying.  I really, really am. 

Brittnie decided to go back to Alaska again this summer. She had fun there last year and made some pretty good money.  At least this year she had a place to stay before she got on the plane and some of her friends from last year have come back as well. It is fun to listen to her laugh and share the  good times. I hope they keep her as busy this year as they did last year as I know that days off are pretty boring and she has no care.  We are going to do a quick trip up to see her in August.  We feel like we need to go and want to see what she is doing. It will be two weeks before she comes home, but that is when things worked into the schedule. It will be a long summer until we see her, but I am grateful for technology that allows me to talk to her each day.  She has grown so much, I hope she can maybe find a place of her own when she comes home as well as a good job.  She deserves so much more. 

Cortnie has completed her masters degree and will graduate this next Saturday.  I am so proud of her!  She gave up so much to go to school to obtain a degree because her Heavenly Father told her she needed too. She has inquired so much debt and has been away from the man she loves for the past two years She truly has sacrificed to obtain what she has.  We will be flying to Boston to watch her graduate this week and then help her move back to Orlando. The original plan was to move back here when she was done and teach at BYU, but Jonathan has stolen her heart from us. I so wish that he would just ask her to marry him. That they can plan their future together and grow in love.  I hate to have her so far away and I miss her dearly. I just hope that if there is a wedding that she will let me be the annoying mother and help her plan it. I want to be there when she picks out a dress, when she does pictures, when she gets her hair and nails done.  I want to be involved so my heart is really hoping it will be here in Utah. If not, I do not think many of our family will go.  I just pray that she will always remember that she is loved and we want her to come home as much as she can. I worry that will not be too often. But for now, we will glory in her graduation and be very proud parents when she walks across that state on  Saturday. 

Boyd is my kind hearted, mother hugging son and I worry about him a lot. He tends to suffer the most of my children from a little bit of depression. He tries so hard at everything he does, but nothing ever seems to go his way.  He was so down a couple weeks ago after Brittnie left as he was "our only child that was not out having an adventure."  He is still trying to work his way through animation school and wants to badly to get a job and be out on his own.  He is putting his whole heart into it this semester so I pray that it will happen. I want him to have that adventure. To go explore the world and live his dreams.  I hate the thought of him leaving home, but I want what is best for him.  I pray that he will know he loved no matter what and that we are here for him. I will admit, I worry when we are gone and he is alone. I do not like him to feel so down.  You've got this son!  Dreams will come true. 

Skyler is loving being on his own. He is trying to learn coding with an online schooling program. As with my other children, I worry about his as well.  I worry that he is not going to finish the class and get a job before the funds are gone.  I worry that he is not active in the church and that he is missing out on having that spiritual uplift each week. However, he has really grown since moving to Logan. He is still so full of love and humor. I am not allowed to talk to him everyday though and I will admit that as days go by without hearing from him, I miss him more.  I hope that he will continue to grow. That he will know he is loved and we will do anything for him.  He still knows how to make me smile and laugh when I am feeling down 

Blessed?  Yes, I am truly am. This blog is just about the family that makes me want to be a better person. However, I am blessed with a nice home, a great job, the gospel, my callings, my friends, health, energy, food, cars, spiritual guidance, a Savior, and so much more.  Today, I am most blessed to hear the word "mother" and know that it pertains to me I only hope those who speak that word know that they are my pride and job. They are all that I ever wanted as a young girl.  I bear that name proudly! 

Family Memories

 This year has been so different not having my children near.  It seems strange to have only one child living at home, but honestly, we had kind of thought that was how our lives would be at our age. We were so excited to have our children while we were so young and just knew that we would have a handful of grandchildren to spoil and play with while we were still young as well.  Unfortunately, that has not happened and our poor children are still all alone and trying to be happy. I know they wish things were different, and hopefully someday SOON they will be.  In the meantime, we try to create as many family memories as we can and enjoy all the time we can spend with them. 

We recently just went on one of the best vacations ever!  Last year we were supposed to have gone to Scotland for our niece's wedding and stayed in a castle!  How cool would that have been?  Well, things changed and the wedding was moved to here in Utah.  We all had travel credits to use, so Rob's family decided to go to Cancun. I would have loved to have gone somewhere else since this is the fourth time in two years we have been there, but this was different. There were 20 of us total that went and it was so awesome.  I was lucky enough to have all of my children there. 

The flights were long but at least they were on time and did not get canceled. Poor Brittnie had the extra 10 hours of travel from Alaska to here and back but she is a trooper and did well.  If I would have had to judge our trip by the first five hours, I would have thought we should have just come home.  The check-in was a total nightmare from a 2-hour wait, to being given rooms that were not functional, to the wrong room type (only one bed per room) and the heat.  I was ready to get right back on the plane. However, I told myself that we were there and if we had to survive for a week in less than ideal circumstances, we were going to make the most of it and have fun. Fortunately, the manager got it all corrected the next day and it turned out to be one of the best ever.!  We played, we laughed, we cried, we stayed up late, we had a bat encounter, we got sick and we still would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Everyone got along great and it brought us closer together as an extended family.  Even the brother-in-law who was not sure he wanted to come, made the comment that he was so glad that he did as it far exceeded his expectations. 

Britt's birthday was while were there so we decide to surprise her with a monkey excursion. She LOVES monkeys. Everyone decided to go which was great. We got to see rescued animals, pet some of them, hold a Boa Constrictor, and hold a monkey. The smile on her face as she had that money sitting on her arms in her lap was so worth it.  It was the best!  We had told the resort too about her birthday and they showed up at our door with a cheesecake with her name on it as well as wine (which she turned down).  Then at dinner, they all sang to her and gave her another piece of cake again with her name decorated on it.  It was great!

We also took an excursion which included snorkeling, an underground Cenote (cave), zip-lining, and riding ATVs. This was Skyler's favorite part.  I even tried my best to snorkel and even put my face in the water. I need to learn to do this as I want to not be afraid to go in the water with Rob as that is one of his favorite things to do.  In fact, he and Boyd went scuba diving as well which was their highlight.  The excursion took most all day but was so much fun. Rob and I were on the first ATV and at one point, we were stopped waiting for everyone to catch up. We looked back at this huge line of ATVs that were all family members (14 total) and the line stretched out. It was the most awesome site. I commented to Rob how neat it was and it brought tears to my eyes.  

Most days we slept till about 8:30 so nothing urgent to get up for. We relaxed at the beach, or in the pool. We played card games while it rained. We drank lots of Bahama Mamas and Tango Mangos and we ate.  We always went to the buffet with the best intentions of not eating much but everything looked so good. We were lucky enough to go one night to a fancy French restaurant and we laughed as our salad had twigs in it and names we could not pronounce.  It is fun sometimes to dress up and pretend we are fancy and laugh so hard. 

I needed this trip so badly. Work had me exhausted and I needed to see my kids. I had not seen Cortnie since Christmas and Skyler does not call like the girls do.  It was so great to have them all close and to love them and spoil them.  I can't wait to go again.  To make more memories that cost a fortune but are worth it every penny.  My happiness is my family and always will be. I am so glad they are mine for eternity!

Unexpected Changes

 Sometimes life gets too comfortable.  We do our every thing like work, clean, cook watch TV, etc and things are good.  I love my comfortable life and really would have it no other way. It is hard when challenges get in the way or when changes happen.  I am not good with change or challenges, but I do know that they make me grow.  

Brittnie has been dreaming about visiting Alaska for some time now. She was going to go on a vacation there by herself, but it never seemed to come together. Then she found out about summer jobs there and things changed. She decided she needed to leave her stable job and life and go to Alaska.  I was surprised that she would give up what she had for only four months, but her faith has been amazing. She received a blessing that told her she needed to go. She has no idea why but chose to follow that blessing.  She left us yesterday and it was not a good day. 

The week before she left, we were up past midnight trying to figure out flights, apartments, schedules etc. I was exhausted but plugged along with her. I was frustrated, and I am sure she was too, that she could not find a place to rent. She wanted to be with other girls and not on her own, but we could not find anything. She also kept hoping she would find something so did not get a place to stay when she got there. She kept telling me that it would all work out and she would be fine. I actually put her on a plane with unanswered questions. She did get a text that morning saying they had found an unfurnished studio apartment and could move in this week. However, it will be Wednesday before she can get the keys.  I was so worried about where she was going to stay until then.  Most places were full and cost way too much.  I reached out to my coworker who has parents that live there. At the last minute, they offer her their extra apartment to stay in until Wednesday. She got off the plane with no one greeting her and took an Uber to an unknown house.  What faith and courage. 

I have learned a lot through all of this. First, she has so much more faith than I do.  She was told it would be okay and at the very last minute, it was.  Second, Heavenly Father provides a way.   I am still so nervous about her being there by herself and pray so hard that she will make friends and find what she is seeking.  (Deep inside, I hope she does not like it too much so that she will want to stay - I then would have both of my daughters miles away).  I cried all day yesterday but once she got there, I felt so calm. I slept great and only teared up once at church.  These words were in one of the songs we sang "For courage to accept thy will, to listen and obey" and she has done just that.  I can learn so much from my kids 

Cortnie is also leaving Boston today to go to Orlando for the summer. She too is entering the unknown hoping to find a job and earn money for next year. I wish she would have come here instead, but we are not near Jonathan. She stays in his home which always concerns me, but I have to trust my children and let them grow up.   Skyler is doing well in Logan and is really trying hard to get out of debt.  He says he can't come home for at least another month since he has no extra money. However, if he would  not eat at Arby's every day, that would help. 

Boyd I think feels left out. He has not said it, but I can tell he is bothered that he is the only one at home He is trying so hard to pass his classes so he can get a real job and move out.  I hope he can do it as I don't like the depression he goes into. 

Spring is here and life is moving on.  It is not like it was last week or a year ago, but it will bring new growth and challenges for us. I know we will be able to handle them if we stay close to our Heavenly Father.  I am so glad he does not leave us alone.