WOW!

OK-I know I just posted this morning. But,wow! It's amazing when you are going through a trial and people come out of nowhere/everywhere to help. Especially in this ward. I hope we never have to move. We were reminded today how much we are blessed. How so many people give a darn! I was also brought back to reality--it could be worse. I need to suck it up and count my blessings. We are still having issues but some great things came out of this day. I have no doubt that it's because of the prayers and the fasting( I love that my kids voluntarily fasted with us). I have literally felt the love today. I love that there are people in my life that let me vent. I love that it's ok to feel sorry for yourself as long as you don't let it consume you. I love that my biggest desire today was to serve somebody. I love that even though it seemed that our whole world was turning upside down, I had a peaceful feeling. I love that my sickie is better. I love our friends that are willing to put their lives on hold to help us. I love that people show up without being asked. I'm feelin' the love people!!

No matter what you are going through, there are people who love you. There are people praying for you. There will always be somebody to help you, it's ok to ask and it's ok to accept it. Just accept it! People want to help. People want to feel needed and we all need the blessings.

I love that I learned something today!!

Bring it on!

Yup,bring it on! I'm to the point now that He's gonna have to carry me, so I can handle it, right?? I feel like it's being dumped on right now. Does that mean things will be getting better soon???

So...as of today, our shop is closed! We have fasted, prayed, etc. So, the only thing I can go by right now is "He closes a door, He opens a window" otherwise, I'll go crazy!!! I know we need to have faith that this is all part of the plan-- the plan needs to hurry up and do somethin' else!

On top of it all, I was supposed to go in and help move everything from our shop to our house so they can still work here and try to get some moola comin' in but one of my sweeties blew that out of the water when he woke up sick this morning (YAY!) So now I'm stuck home feeling completely helpless AND useless.

So,I really NEED to start doing daycare to help out with the moola situation. Know anybody lookin'? I need to start selling stuff (anybody want a 2007 Tahoe, cheap??)

Because I'm desperate, I'm gonna throw this out there too--Mark is a mechanic, he does computer repair, computer networking, anything with alternative fuel (propane,cng,etc) on almost any vehicle. Give us a call, his schedule is pretty open.

So,off to the Father & Son outing tomorrow (which also happens to be my bday). Hope none of the guys get injured (seems to happen EVERY year)

I'm NOT asking for sympathy!!I hate to complain but if I keep it all to myself, I'll freakin' explode. This is alot to handle. I have been telling myself for weeks " others have it worse than me so I need to suck it up and stop complaining". But I realized that everybody is given their trials at their time. There will always be somebody worse off than you. That doesn't mean that your problem should be made to look like it's nothing. Because to the person going through it, it's something. Never demean your problem by saying "somebody out there has it worse" cuz you have it worse than somebody else too. I've always done that. Not anymore! (even though I know I'll do it with the next trial, it's just in me) It's OK to feel sorry for yourself once in awhile. It's called taking care of yourself, women have a problem with that! So,ladies join me.....say it (c'mon say it):

"my challenge is my challenge and it's ok to feel sorry for myself!!!"

Now repeat that 3 times and take a deep breath!

OK-now get back to what you were doing, I'm off to put on a movie for sickie and do yard work..........

What we've been up to...

I feel bad that I haven't put anything on here in awhile. Mostly because this is our journal and there's been alot going on. So, for memory sake--here's the latest:

• Jake went on a scout camp this last weekend and had a blast. He loves his new scout leaders. I love that they are organized and give us a calendar. It's months in advance. Pretty impressive for men!
• Ty has been home sick since last Friday. He's doing better and is tired of being home. He's goin' back tomorrow!!
• Natalie is back to going through kidney/bladder problems. We're back to working with the specialist on a regular basis. I thought these days wouldn't return after her surgery several years ago--but here we are again!
• Alaina is being looked at for arthritis. She's been having lots of joint pain/swelling for months. She takes after me,yeah! :(
• Mark is working hard to keep our business going. It's been stressful. I hate the situation this country is in. I hate that it's affecting us (big time)
• I'm trying to start doing daycare again. I know there's alot of moms trying to go back to work. I need to make money without leaving 7 kids to do their own thing. Especially since we are always at the Dr. for somebody. So,if you know of somebody looking,pass the word along.
• My parents are adopting child #7 tomorrow. I will have a new 7 year old sister. The next oldest child from her is 26 years old. Now my parents will be even with me!
• For now, my grandparents will not be moving in any time soon. Grampa had major surgery a few weeks ago and can't travel (probably ever) He's up and down and we just pray that he's not in too much pain. He could live a few more years with this surgery being done but won't be able to travel. But, if he doesn't make it very long then we have to discuss whether Gramma will be moving here or not. But we are planning a family reunion in California in July. I hope we can make it, it will be a blast to see cousins my kids have never met.

I know most of this post is not fun news. But, these days is life really that exciting?? And I need to remember the stressful times right along with the good times, right? We do have some fun stuff coming soon. Father & son's outing, Mother's Day, My birthday,band and choir concerts,etc. So I will be able to post some fun stories and pictures in the next month.

Stay tuned........

Jake is the big 1 2 !!

This is the last of our family bdays for a little while. Jake is 12 today. He gets to receive the priesthood, go to mutual and pass sacrament. He's excited and nervous for these big changes. I'm excited and nervous for him. The past few weeks he's been watching the other boys pass it and taking mental notes.

In a few months he'll be going to junior high! He is growing up so stinkin' fast.

He's great at sports and loves to do anything "boy" He loves to mow the lawn and loves it more when people hire him to mow theirs. He's already putting money aside in his mission fund and college savings.

He is doing great in scouts. He was serving as patrol leader until today, he gets to move up to the older scouts now. He can't wait for the week-long camp-outs (much more exciting than the over-night ones) He has earned so many patches!

He does awesome in school and is determined to continue doing well so he can get a scholarship. He has alot of schooling ahead of him--he wants to be a brain surgeon. I think that is an awesome thing to strive for!!

Jake--you are a sweetie. Thank you for being a great son, big brother and little brother. We love you and appreciate you. Thanks for bringing your sweet smile and fun personality to our family.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Natty!!

Today is Natalie's birthday! My baby girl is 9!! I can't believe it's been that long since I've been pregnant (my body still isn't back to pre-baby shape) We took her friends swimming for several hours and then did cake and presents. Everybody is worn out. It was a fun-filled day.
Natalie, thank you for bringing such spirit to our family. You are so much fun. I love how much you love animals (too bad you're allergic to everything) I love how you love to pray and read scriptures. Keep your sweet spirit and your desire to do good and be good. You are going to make such a difference in this world! We love you Natty!!

We're Making Progress

After 6 months of testing and lots of meetings, we are finally getting answers. It appears that Ty has ADHD and sensory processing disorder. At first I argued with the ADHD diagnosis but was told that it's not the "typical" ADHD so he has different symptoms. But the SPD fits perfectly. It was exciting to have a name to the issues. Now we know what we can do to help him. Step one--after spring break he will be transferred to a different school and be in a self-contained classroom. It is being said that he will only have to be there for 1-2 school years before coming back to our school and being main-streamed.

Step two--he needs a private occupational therapist which we are working on through the insurance. The one the school provides doesn't give hardly any one on one.

And, of course, there are some changes to be made within our home to help him. We've already started and they seem to be working.

I'm having fun doing research and talking to other people who are experiencing this with children. It's fun to put the pieces together of things that have been a problem for several years and realizing that it all fits! It's fun because now I know there's nothing I did wrong. It's not my parenting skills gone awry and there is something we can do to help him. If any of you have input on this I'm open for more. I appreciate any insight I can get. And I want to say thank you to those of you who have been asking how it's going and being excited with me that we have a "diagnosis" and for those of you that know about this and have given me advice and a great book (thanks Shannon) Now we just plug along and try new things. He's an awesome, cute, sweet little guy. We just need to help him through this little trial.