Its been a long time!

Well its been quite a long time since I have been on this blog, we have had many changes in our life in the past 6 months. We have sold our home in Minnesota and moved back to Utah, I transferred to the University of Utah and will be starting classes in January. Our home sold very quickly (30 days), things were falling into place for our family we felt very blessed, we began packing our home and Shad continued to look for a job he had a few prospects and one that seemed a for sure thing. We left Minnesota on Oct. 21, with heavy hearts but happy to be making our way back home to Utah. We left many wonderful friends and a great ward family, Shad helped us move, but had to come back to Minnesota to continue working. Shad has been living with a family in our ward who have been so kind to give him a room to stay in for as long as he needs.

Shad has still not found a job and it has been a struggle for us, I thought I was a strong person but this past week was very hard for me and I begin to wonder how strong am I. As I was scrolling through some blog posts from other friends, I have a very good friend from my childhood who has had to overcome the worst kind of pain I can think of, losing a child Amy and Cameron lost their precious Annie last year after being born with a heart problem, little Annie lived to be 4 months old. Reading Amy's posts I think of how strong they had to be for their little Annie and their other kids, they are truly amazing people.

As I think about the trials that we all face big or small I know that I can get through this, the lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle and I can honestly say I am grateful for this small trial because there are so many other things that are so much harder. I know Shad will find a job soon and we will be reunited as a family.

Summertime!!!!

Well the summer is finally here even though the weather isn't cooperating. The kids finished out the school year and did very well. Austin finished 10th grade with a 3.5 GPA average, Ashtyn finished 8th grade with a 4.2 GPA average, and Sydney graduated 5th grade with exceptional grades also. Ashtyn is moving to the High School next year and is enrolled in all honors classes, Sydney is moving to the junior high.

Austin is working his first job this summer and is enjoying making money, he doesn't love paying for gas. :) Ashtyn is looking forward to the last Harry Potter movie coming out next month. Sydney started a competitive swimming club and is loving it she has her first meet in July.

Shad is taking the summer off from school and enjoying some extra free time although I seem to find plenty of projects around the house for him to do.

I am keeping busy with cleaning, my pool chemical job and taking 3 online classes this summer.

Our family is really looking forward to going camping and Lake Powell at the end of the summer.

Austin is 16!!!!!!!

Well this past week Austin turned 16, he hasn't got his license just yet so St. Cloud you are still safe for another couple of months. LOL Austin is a wonderful son, although he can be stubborn at times he has always done the things that we ask of him. This past Sunday he was ordained a priest and it was a very beautiful experience, that I wished more family could have been here to be a part of it. I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up another couple of years and Austin will be off to college and then a mission. I just want Austin to know that we love him very much and really are grateful he is our son.

School!!!

Well Shad and I are into our second week of the semester and things are going ok so far. I took four classes this semester which is more than I ever have so I hope that I will be able to keep up. As hard as going to school later in life has been I really feel like its what I am supposed to be doing. Sometimes Shad and I feel like we are being pulled in a million directions and really hope that we can look back on this experience and know that it was all worth it. We really want our kids to know how hard it is later in life and to not wait to go.

Christmas 2010

Every year in downtown Minneapolis they have an outdoor lighted parade, luckily they have indoor corridors that you can watch the parade without freezing to death. The younger kids really enjoyed it the older kids not so much.

Sydney, Nathan, and Adam had a front row seat to watch the parade.

Austin and Taylor can't wait for it to be over.

We had a fun Christmas this year, Shad's sister and her family came and up and spent the day with us, we did some last minute shopping and made dinner together. Christmas was very relaxing we made a big breakfast, played games and watched movies. Later in the afternoon we went over to a friends for dinner and had the missionaries over also they were able to call their families and give us a wonderful message.

Austin got a BYU Flag, headphones, and a CTR ring.

Sydney got clothes, new coat, and movies.

Ashtyn got a NOOK which she was really excited for.

Sydney loved decorating sugar cookies.