Counting our Blessings.

This pass month has been a struggle for us. We are working on getting out of debt and we have been feeling like we never have enough money to be able to get things paid off as fast as we would like. So we decided that we were going to work on it harder together. Justin decided that he would apply for every job that career services sent his way and just hope for the best. Wednesday he received a phone call about a job he applied for and set up an interview. Later that day he had the interview and then had mixed feelings afterwards about getting it. He was told that we would find out Monday after they did more interviews Thursday and Friday. Thursday morning still not feeling like he had a chance of getting the job we talked about just waiting to hear before move on to the next step. 15 hours after his interview he got a call and was offered the job!!

After hearing that Justin got the job and with Thanksgiving coming up I have been doing a lot of thinking about some of the things that I am grateful for.

First off I am thankful for my parents, for raising me and teaching me to be the person that I am today and for not killing me when I was a teenager. I am thankful for all their love, help and support that have given to me and my family.

I am thankful for Justin and for everything that he has does and everything that he is still doing to provide for our family. I am thankful that he is making a huge sacrifice to work 2 full time jobs and go to school part time so that I can be home to raise our kids.

I am thankful for each one of my kids for making my life exciting and keeping me on my toes.

I am thankful for all of the test and trials we have had. Although at the time I am not very thankful for them I really am because they have all taught us a lesson in some way that we have needed and brought us closer together as a couple and a family.

"You know, I try not to look back, because looking forward is so much better then looking backwards" - Jim Bakker

What a summer!

Well this has been one crazy summer with a lot of changes. Morgan started first grade, Brooke started preschool, Jackson started putting himself to sleep in his own bed, Morgan learned to ride her bike without training wheels a few months ago with the help of her Bompa. Brooke decided a few days ago that it was cooler to ride with only two wheels instead of four so she told her dad she was ready. We took off her training wheels and without any help she was gone. Jackson realized that if he pedals his bike he can get there fast instead of just walking it so he learned how to pedal.

We had SEP's with each of the girls teachers and found out that Morgan is being sent to a second grade reading class and she scored way above average on the dibbles test. We also found out that Brooke is also above where they would expect her to be with her writing, tracing and counting. Her teacher told us that is stuff that they don't really see till about January after months of learning in school. Jackson is getting to the point that you can almost have a full conversation with him and understand him. Jackson loves to play with toys and other kids but for some reason we can't get him to do that in nursery.

Justin is still going to school and doing really good. He just received another award for high honers at school. Finally got another raise at work and staying very busy with work, school and a family. I started applying for school so that I can get a good job once all my kids are in school and what better time then now to get it done.

Justin and I just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary and 2 birthdays. We are looking forward to celebrating 2 more in the next 2 weeks. We are also looking forward to Halloween,

Anthony coming home in November, Thanksgiving, another birthday, Christmas and New Years.

We finally after a year got family pictures done again. We are excited to get those back and we will post as soon as we have them.

Dad

Wednesday May 25, 2011 Justin's second dad passed away. Alan Wicklander was an Amazing man! Alan was a great example to Justin and when he found out that Justin wasn't a member and that he was wanting to become a member Alan made the appointment with the Missionaries and opened his home so we could have the lessons there. Alan took Justin under his wing and showed him so much support. Justin was Baptized November 29, 2008. After Justin joined the church Alan was the Young mens president and he called Justin as the second counselor. November 29, 2009 Justin was made an Elder. December 4, 2009 Justin and I went through the Temple and took out our Endowments with the Wicklanders there supporting us. December 5, 2009 we were sealed together as a family with the Wicklanders there supporting us again. Alan will be missed but we know that because of his love and support we will see him again someday.

(Alan and Anna are the couple at the top right)

Alan is in a better place with a healthy heart and he is on the other side waiting for the rest of us keeping himself busy teaching and loving others so that they can have the same blessings that we have. Families can be together forever!

Life at our house the last few months.

Things around our house have been CRAZY! Justin has been in school for 6 months now and got a 4.0 last quarter and has 1 more final for this quarter. We had sep's (parent teacher conferences) for Mo last month and found out that she is PERFECT but we already knew that. She is the teachers helper and runs the class, she is reading on a first grade level 9 and she gets special homework that no one else gets. Brooke tells me all time that she is going to go to school on Tuesday. Actually every time she tells me that she is going to do something it will happen on Tuesday. Jackson is HUGE!!!!!! Ok so he has always been huge but he just doesn't stop growing. He talks non stop he doesn't always make sense of things but he wants to be heard and he will let you know. These past 4 months it seems like every week someone in the family has been sick, we have had strep, croup, RSV, ear infections, kidney stones, sprained shoulder, sprained foot, and the common cold. In other words lots of trips to the doctors and money to make everyone feel better. Justin has just applied for an IT position with FedEx Office and we are waiting to hear back on if he got it or not. Fingers are crossed that we get it cause it is a pay increase. Yay for more money! Since January we got a new couch and chair for the front room, a dishwasher, and a new washer and dryer. Final cost for everything FREE!!!! Got to love parents that are our landlords and friends.