Where did the summer GO!!!

Oh how time flies, I have just finished a very difficult summer semester that I thought I would never make it through. So grateful for Shad and my kids who have to put up with me and all of my stressful school stuff. Looking forward to a week in Steamboat with no homework, I think I might actually read a book that isn't a textbook!!! Excited to see my family and spend time with them.

It's been a long week!

This past week has been a long sad week, Shad's grandpa passed away a week ago today and yesterday was his funeral. We have spent many days and nights crying and mourning the loss of Grandpa Swenson. He was the most generous, kind, loving man that I have ever known. He loved you no matter what!

Shad and I were able to make a video tribute to him which turned out very well everyone loved it. Shad did a wonderful job giving the family prayer and talking about his families favorite memories. We are all better for have knowing him and being able to have him in our lives. He will truly be missed and will never be forgotten.

Love you Grandpa Swenson!

Its already been almost a month!

Shad has almost been with us a month, he is really enjoying his job which makes me very happy. We are so blessed to be together again as a family. We have been looking for a home slowly but surely. We have decided to stay in Spanish Fork, the kids have really made alot of new friends and are really liking the schools. Also Shad's job is in Provo so we wouldn't end up going to far North if we did move.

I am still just plugging along with school, I can kind of see light at the end of the tunnel which is really giving me hope that I can finish what I started. The kids are doing great Austin's wrestling team took 1st in state so that was great. Sydney has been on a competitive swimming team for about a month and half and is really loving it. Ashtyn is just reading like crazy.

Our family is so thankful that we have been blest to be together and things are starting to fall into place which is great.

Best News Ever!!!

We are happy to report Shad has been offered a job!!! We are so excited and are very grateful to our Heavenly Father for answering our prayers. It has been a long, hard road but very thankful that we were able to endure this trial and we can start the next chapter in our lives.

Our Family Vacation!!

Over New Year's we went on a cruise to the caribbean and had one of the best family vacations to date. After we boarded the ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico we sailed to the Barbados where we went 170 feet underground to a limestone cavern it was really cool.

The next day we arrived in Antigua where we zip-lined through the Rain Forest it was an awesome experience.

Our next stop was the island of Tortola, where we were fortunate to swim with the dolphins it was an absolutely amazing experience.

We also spent some time at the beach which was alot of fun.

This trip would not have been possible if not for the great generosity of my brother who paid for my kids to go. Shad and I will be forever grateful and hope to be able to repay him someday by taking him and my nephew Jacob on a vacation.

Shad is still looking for a job and so it was bittersweet we had a wonderful 9 days together but it was very difficult to get on separate planes on Monday. We hope and pray everyday that he will find a job soon so that we can be reunited as a family.

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.