Shane & Chelsea are in town!

I've been looking forward to today for the past week. We went and saw Shane, Chelsea and the twins today for a little bit. They got in at 3:30 AM from Portland, so they were a little tired. I can't believe how big the twins got! They are both SOO precious, adorable, have the prettiest blue eyes, are alert, smiling and so darn cute! It felt like heaven to just sit and talk with Chelsea for a hour before I had to get the kids from school. I can't even count the number of times I have had meltdowns and crying fits because I've missed her SO much. It's been really hard with her gone. There's been so many times when things have been falling apart and I would get that feeling- just go to their house, eat ice cream, have a good cry, talk it out and feel better- but then it would hit me like a thousand bricks, " Oh, I can't, they are gone."
I just love them so much and wish things were different.
P.S. Thanks for my IKEA napkins dear!

Sleeping Beauty...

What is it with my girls sleeping half way off couches & beds these days?

("I'm not even mad, I'm impressed!" From out favorite movie-Anchorman.)

Someone doesn't like yard sales...

Grace got a hold of my camera while I went out to a yard sale this morning. This is what I found... poor Willow! ( And, yes, I cleaned my van windows today! Gross!)

Daisy lost her first tooth!

Daisy lost her first tooth last week while we were at Lara's playing & crafting. It was wiggling for a few days, and sure enough, it finally came out. We were kind of surprised it happened so soon- Tristin was in 2nd grade when he started loosing his.

Tristin and our neighbor

A few weeks ago our neighbor across the street was putting his 4 wheelers away after the weekend, but before he did, he took all the kids for a ride up and down the street. They all loved it!

The last of Swim lessons...

Yes, swim lessons have been done for about a month now, but I haven't been able to do much with my camera for the past few weeks. I'm just trying to get caught up now. The kids had a blast this summer taking lessons and they all improved a lot from last year. They all love the pool and it was great to watch them become more comfortable and confident in the water.

My Mom has my charger cord!!!

So, my Mom called to tell me that she has my camera charger!!! Yeah! I can't even tell you how I have missed it, or how many stores I have been to to find they were $ 40.00! Really? I've been online, on ebay, and Samsungs website without much luck. I just had a feeling like I should wait and not buy one, and sure enough my sweet Mama saves the day again! Thanks Mom!
(I almost didn't get a picture of the kids first day of school because of my old, stupid camera. Luckily, I did though!)

Daisy starts Kindergarten...

We walked to school with Tristin & Daisy this morning so I could stand with her for awhile. I was so excited for her, nervous, delighted and scared all at the same time. We talked about introducing herself to kids and being nice, asking to eat lunch with other kids, and how to be helpful to her teacher. It just tugged at my heart to watch her walk inside the cafateria with Tristin looking so nervous. I finally walked home with Trav and the girls wiping away a few tears. She is growing up. My sweet Daisy girl is now going to be corrupted by the public school system! Perfect example: She came up to me and said, " Mom there is a problem. I don't know how to burp my ABC's. The other kids in my class know how to do it and I don't."
Well, great- on day # 1 it begins!

Tristin's first day of 3rd grade...

It's crazy that I have a 3rd grader, I know. Here is my little man on his first day. (last Wed.) He is enjoying it so far and he has Mrs. Hansen again! She was his 1st grade teacher. He is such a good boy. I love him so much, even if he talks about weapons, explosions, destruction and video games all the time. "He's a boy, Em" is what Travis tells me all the time. Yes, indeed he is.

The longest 48 hours ever...

Travis still has his job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just had to get that out for those of you who do not like to read my super long posts.
He called his Supervisor this morning at 8:15 AM and they talked for a few minutes. All it was was a schedule change! THANK. YOU. LORD!! They wanted to switch him from his normal 4 10 hour days to 5 8 hours days instead.
So, to the Supervisor who lacked tackfulness and could have mentioned it was shedule related- thank you so much for the longest 2 days of my life since giving birth.
My stomach was in knots for days,and I thought I was going to lose my sanity. I envisioned forclosure signs in my yard, living in our super hot mini van, bills piling up, and the unfortunate weight of trying to find another job.
Thank you Lord for the amazing news! Honestly didn't think we were going to be that lucky. Thanks for your prayers and sweet concern for my family.

If you don't mind, say a few prayers...

Yesterday I was out painting a dresser when Trav called me from work. I thought it was kind of strange because he normally never calls in the middle of the day, only after work or on his way home from the gym. I put my paintbrush down as he started to talk.
He said that a different Supervisor came up to him, asked if he was Travis, told him to log off his computer, go home and wait for his supervisor to call him.

My world started spinning and Tristin said, "Mom, what's wrong? Who are you talking to?

After we talked and we hung up, I went into panic mode and called my Mom to process it all. I started crying and told her, "Mom, I can't handle this right now." There's so much more at stake now. Our house. Four kids. The reality of finding a job.

I've cried. I've prayed. I've gone through every senerio possible in my mind and I'm scared to death now. I'm just asking for a few prayers in our direction. We are still waiting for his phone call, and I am so fearful.

In my selfish, pleading prayers I've just asked God, that no matter what happens, just help us to be okay. We pay our tithing, we help everyone we can, so I know he will watch over us if it is our turn, it's just terrible not knowing right now.

I learned a few years back that having faith in the Lord is a very, very difficult for me to do. It means turning it over to Him, letting go of the control, and trusting in someone other than myself. SO HARD! But with practice, and with my Mama's voice in my ear, I hear her say:
"Emmy, you've done all you can do. Turn it over to the Lord now."

If you don't mind, just pray.
Thank You.

Busy past 2 weeks...

I just looked at my last post and it was 15 days ago! I've been super busy these past few weeks working on Chelsea's yard sale (which became Angie's moving sale, Heather's moving sale, including my stuff, Annikans stuff, Sue's stuff, Cerrie's stuff & Evonne's stuff) It was actually probably the largest sale I've done. And of course it was Angie & I doing everything by ourselves. Did I mention she is 7 months pregnant and I got the stomach flu the night before and was throwing up all night too- SOOO fun! It took 45 hours from start to finish and a few weeks of pricing prior to the sale. That's how much I love my Chelsea, but I was definatly happy to drop the last load off at the DI and drive away.

School started for Tristin on Wed and Miss Daisy starts on Monday. She will be full days Mon-Wed & every other Fri. so we'll see how that schedule works out.

Daisy lost her first tooth today!
We've been canning beans for days now and it is great to see them all lined up on my new counter top! The kitchen has been complete now for about 2 weeks and its been SO heavenly to be able to use it like a girl should!

I've also been losing my mind trying to find my camera charger! I've spent hours searching for that little cord but I think I must have left it on one of our vacations. So, I'm camera-less for a bit and it's driving me nuts, I use it everyday. I was able to get a few shots using my old one, but it's a treat even trying to get that one to work.

Let the editing begin...

***Jayna, I've been thinking of you all morning!***

I've decided to bite the bullet and turn my blog into a book. The problem is, that it's 3 years worth of journaling & pictures. That's 539 posts to go through and edit! UGG. But it will be worth it. I'm only on post 81, so I'm taking a break. I though of you Jayna, as you are MUCH smarter to to your yearly!

Our silly little Grace...

Trav took the kids to a movie the other day and must have worn them out because when I came home from running errands, this is how I found Grace sleeping! She's amazing!