Our Newsletter

My mom has decided that our immediate family needs to start our own family newsletter. I'm grateful because it will force me to post at least once a month, not once a year like I have been ;-) The following was what I submitted (which really covers a few months, not just this last month)

We have been surprisingly busy these last few months. So much so, that I don’t remember the order of things that have happened in our lives, so I’m just going to list them ;-)

~The biggest news: Shawn has a job!!! (Which you all know, but is still nice to be able to say) That year + that he was laid off gave a great glimpse of the type of man I married. It takes a strong man to be laid off for that long and still provide all the love and $upport that he did. Not once did we have to dip into our $aving$ or rely on outside support. Granted, I know our families definitely spoiled us a “little bit”. Not only did we not have to use any of our savings, we were able to become completely debt free during that year. We realized we were spending more money than needed while paying interest on things, so within the first few months of being laid off, we paid off our credit cards and the truck. I know it was because we were paying full tithes that we were so blessed. So many opportunities became available right when we needed them, but only after our knees became worn out.

~Another answer to our prayers was that fact that we didn’t have any major health issues during that year. I’ve become a firm believer in using Essential Oils. They work wonders when used correctly. I still have a lot to learn about them, but I know that I will never go back to just using OTC medications for minor ailments. We did spend the money to go see a doctor a few times during the year, but paying a few hundred during the year was much better than spending the $12,000 we would have had to for insurance that year. We spent the money on the docs when we have to, but the oils took care of all the little things in between…especially Oakley’s ear infections!

~Shawn started working the end of July and in August, his sister was ready for him to help with the electrical on their new house. They’re building a “mansion” up in Star Valley, WY and because of it’s size and the limited amount of time we have to work on it (before the snow makes it virtually impossible to get up to it), we’ve been spending every chance we can to go up. Shawn’s work schedule makes it a little easier. He works 4-10’s and has every Monday off. So, we head up right after work on Friday, work all day Saturday, rest Sunday, and work all day before we drive home Monday night. Needless to say, with us being away from home so much, only the bare minimum gets done at my house (laundry and the occasional load of dishes). I know, though, our turn will come and our basement remodel will finally be done!!!

~We refinanced our house. It was a long, arduous process, but we are so glad it is done and just maybe by the time I’m 35, we will own it.

~We had our first family weekend in a loooong time. Shawn had a 4 day weekend, and we decided not to go up to Star Valley. Usually if we’re not up there, we’re working on our house, but we were sick and tired of always working. We did save Friday as a work day, and spent it hanging more sheetrock in the basement and fixing our car (more to come later). Saturday morning we spent at the Logan temple. A family in our ward (whom Shawn home-taught) went through the temple and were sealed with their 3 year old son. We were able to go through their endowment session with them then witness their sealing. What a wonderful experience that was.

That afternoon, we attended a stew, soup, and chili cook off with some of Shawn’s high school friends. They even had piñatas and pumpkin painting for the kids. We had planned on that taking up the rest of the day, but everyone left after 2 hours. So, with the night freed up, we took Oakley to his first demolition derby. He absolutely loved it, and now holds his own derby every so often.

Even Sunday was more relaxing than usual. It was fast Sunday, so Shawn didn’t have his typical 4 hours of meetings before church even starts.

Monday morning, we went and had family pictures done at a park near our home. The last time we had family pictures taken was when Oakley was only 10 days old. Needless to say, they were long overdue. After that, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed up to Crystal Hot Springs for the first time since we’ve lived here. Oakley loved it! They even had their slide open and although Oakley had to go under the water at the end, he kept going down because the slide was so worth it! It was a great end to a busy, yet work-free family weekend!

~We had planned on spending some of the money we got back from refinancing on the cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom in the basement, but I guess someone has other plans for us. Our Malibu has been dying on us. Every week, there is something that needs to be fixed on it. Last week, I caught Shawn on the internet researching/searching for Santa Fe’s to go try out!!! I don’t know if we will end up with a Santa Fe in the end because there are so many other cross-overs out there that weren’t in existence 10 years ago, but I do know we’ll end up with a car we both love. I can’t wait to get rid of our clunker!

~Oakley started a new year of preschool. He loves it! I think because his attention span is a little longer, he is getting much more out of it this year. Since September, he is so conscious of his ABC’s and is always asking, “What letter/number is this?” He even knows how to spell his first and last names.

~Speaking of the little stinker, he is at such a fun stage right now. A few of the things he does:

~He looooves to sing. He will make a song out of anything.

~Whenever we drive over a crosswalk, he shouts, “across the line” like they do on Top Gear (his and Shawn’s “man show” they watch together.

~He still loves his cuddle time but will only snuggle with one person at a time. If it’s mommy’s time and daddy tries to sneak in a hug, he gets the boot and vice versa.

~One of the not-so-cute things he’s been doing at this stage is he is quite defiant when he wants to be. He’s a great helper otherwise. But every so often, if I ask him to leave the door open so I can go through (usually with an arm full of groceries), he slams it right in my face. I can’t wait until that part of this stage is over.

~I think that because so many of the family are in UT, I sometimes neglect the rest of you guys. Just know that even though we may not speak with each other regularly, you are ALWAYS in our thoughts and prayers. Love you most, miss you most!

In another blog related note, our camera is still MIA, so I'm really bad at posting pictures, but I will try ;-)