First Official Blog!

Okay, so I've had this site for a year and a half and this is the first time I've actually done anything with it.  I figured now is as good a time as any, right?  Since it's near the end of the year, let's recap what's gone on with our growing little family.

Last winter we spontaneously decided to drive up to Oregon to spend Christmas there with the Ramirez family and Mom Boice.  By spontaneously, I mean we decided about two to three weeks beforehand.  Little did we know we'd be heading towards a downright blizzard!  From what we hear, it was the worst in about 40 years.  But come heck or high water, by golly, we were going to make it!  It had been years since we had been to Oregon and we were itching to go no matter what.  As we left there was a storm here in Utah as well.  What should have been a 11-12 hr. trip took us almost two complete days.  All with an 8 year old, 6 year old, and 5 week old in tow.  In retrospect though, I'd do it again.  It was well worth it.  Glenn had to leave shortly after Christmas for work and I stayed in Oregon through January since I homeschooled the kids anyways.

About three weeks after returning to Utah I found myself in Oregon again for my mother's missionary farewell.  She left to Australia!  I was incredibly jealous, but also extremely happy for her.  Spent about a week there then returned again to Utah.

Shortly after returning home I found myself packing the house up.  We moved 4 miles away to a much better neighborhood and better condition home.

About two months after that with a five-six month old I discovered I was pregnant again...yes, I said pregnant.  And yes, that would make the two babies about 14-15 months apart.  This baby is due Valentine's day 2010 and is a girl =]  As this was discovered, we had decided to start our own trucking business via a friend of ours, however, the whole thing went backwards on us and gave us a few stress points, lightly speaking.  The following months had been very hard and testing for us, but our faith has never waivered.  No matter how hard or challenging it's been since summertime we've always had the mindset never to give up.

September found us yet again in Oregon watching my sister's children for her. While there we felt strongly about visiting the Portland Temple, so much so, that we went the very night we drove into town.  We needed guidance on what to do from this point with the business going under.  We came away with strong convictions and were so glad we went.  I'm not going to sugar coat it though.  It has been rough even since then because it's all in the Lord's time, not ours.  But we know what we learned at the temple and we are not going to back down on that no matter what happens.  Many prayers have been offered even by our children every morning and night for employment and finally, yesterday, those prayers have been answered.

Glenn has landed a job.  Albeit, not the most desireable schedule, but it's work, steady, and pays well.  It's what we need right now and he starts right after Christmas.  Another blessing!  Even though it's still financially a struggle until then, what a great thing to be able to have him home for Christmas.  After the holiday, he will be driving once again long haul.  Before you ask, yes, that will leave me 5 days a week by myself with a baby and a newborn come a couple of months from now, but it's a sacrifice we are prepared to make so that other things can happen that are important.  Such as education, which is once again going to happen this upcoming fall in Oregon.

Glenn is so blessed to be able to jump into a bachelor's program at Junior level and graduate within 1 1/2 - 2 years.  We are so looking forward to arriving back home were we belong.  It's not to say that all of our trials we've endured up until then, and our move to Utah was in vain.  Quite the contrary.  Had certain things not gone the way they did, we would not have oppourtunities that we have now.  The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways, but trusting in those mysterious ways is the key.

That brings us up to now.  With these decisions made and in progress, we can now enjoy the holidays with our loved ones and be at peace.  Is this not what the holidays are about?  The peace that Christ gives?  I am also very grateful for the great help we've received to make Christmas possible and as normal as it can be for our kids...we are TRULY BLESSED!

Okay, now that I've written a novel to get you updated on our family, my future blogs won't be nearly as long, I promise!

=]

Merry Christmas!!