Growing Up

Ok, ok, I'm here. Yes, I'm here and we are all doing relatively well. I actually have about 4 posts that I have written but are just sitting there not finished or not posted. Don't ask why, I'm not sure.

We've all been doing some growing up these last few months. It's crazy! Doug was laid off again the Monday after Thanksgiving. This made for a crazy but very heart touching Christmas season. Also reminded what is really important. He has been working this last week and this week on a two week temporary (electrician) job. We'll see what happens after this. Although this is hard, I promise we've been very blessed!

About the first week of December I posted on Face Book that I wouldn't be sad to see 2009 come to an end. But then in January when I had to teach a lesson to the Young Women about Christ I realized that I wouldn't have wished away last year. Yes, it was hard. Yes, it was painful. BUT, my testimony of a LOVING Heavenly Father and Christ grew so much. It was during this past year that I have really come to know my Friend, Jesus Christ!

Now on to a different subject. I have a lot of catching up to do. Because there is SO much I don't want to forget about these last few months. But in the meantime I just have to say- WHAT?!? Where have the years gone??? Yesterday was Katie's "Maturation Assembly" at school. We'd already talked about most of it so it wasn't a big deal. But I promise it wasn't very long ago my mom came to my maturation assembly at the same school. Then just a few days (months? years?) later I was holding a little baby in my arms. Then just a few days more and we're there watching that lame-o movie! It's crazy!!!

Before the assembly there was a special parent's meeting taught by Allen Grunig. He taught us about how the teen brain works. One thing really affected me- the best way that teens feel connected to their family is by physical touch (especially a hug). That is my goal. More hugs! Sounds fun, right! :)

Job

Well, my husband has a job. (good thing) But it's 12 hours a day, 7 days per week. (Bad hours- good money) And it's an hour away (bad- will his truck make it?) It's only temporary (good because how long can you keep up those hours? Bad because what after that?) My life is one of much confusion! :)

I just get to hold down the fort while Doug goes and faces this work. I think he might actually be a little excited about it! I don't know that I can even say enough about men (especially my man). He tenderly comforts me, crys with me and then faces the world with courage and fortitude. The sacrifices men make for their families...

UGH!

So, Doug's back to being unemployed. I guess HAFB wouldn't give clearance to any of the workers CVE needed because they can only have a certain number of civilians on base and that would put them over the number. UGH! I'm trying to be positive, but I'm not doing very well. I'm tired. That's all there is to it, tired. Tired of the fight, tired! Thankfully tomorrow is another day and I have 6 zone appointments...

He's got a job!

Hooray! Doug is back at work today! He got a phone call last Friday and was offered a couple of different jobs. He took the closest one, it's still about an hour away, but we can deal! He's working for Cache Valley Electric and were hoping this is a VERY long term thing. CVE is much bigger than TEC was so that usually means more work. I do have to admit, that as happy as I am to have him back at work and (hopefully) bringing home a paycheck, I'm already missing him. It was really nice having him around to help with the kids and Bevan loved to play with him. And a lot of mornings Doug would even make breakfast. Yup, I miss those things already, but I REALLY just miss Doug! The first week (after he was laid off) it was hard to get used to him being around all the time, but I did get used to it, and I learned to love it! It was nice to "reconnect" with this great man who I married. And with me being so sick and with everything else that has happened it was wonderful to have him home. Hmmm, maybe the Lord does know what he's doing...

Coming Clean

So, have you wondered about my random posts the last couple of days? They really aren't that random and they were things I needed to remember, that's why they're there.

Monday morning Doug walked in the door about 9:00am and I knew immediately he'd been laid off. We knew this was something that could happen but when he was first hired he was told it would be a day or two and he'd be able to move to another company. So the first question I asked was "For how long?" He said the union told him it would be weeks and that he'd probably be better off trying to accelerate his education. UGH! The tears started flowing. What were we going to do? I've spent 2 days crying- finally today was better. I was under control. Doug has spent the last few days looking for some kind of work. Just about anything will work because we hope this will be temporary. Problem is we don't know how temporary it will be...

Although this has been hard, I've definately felt some major blessings and have been watched out for. I've had 3 new zoning clients, another who I haven't seen in months called, another moved her appointment up and wants to come every other week for a few months. I also had a lady call me to do wedding flowers for her daughter. This was totally out of the blue, I guess I did her son's flowers (didn't ever meet him, just worked with the bride). Not only that but she insisted on paying today because she "just wanted to get it out of the way". So, after I take the money out for the flowers I will have some money. See, what did I tell you?

I just stumbled upon both of those quotes, the first one was when I felt no hope. I was reading some one's blog (can't even remember whose) and she'd linked to Pres. Uchtdorf's (sp?) talk. That paragraph grabbed me. The the next day when I was looking for some stuff for Young Women I found that quote on courage- the talk wasn't even about courage, but I knew then that's what I needed, courage. If I can be strong and have courage we'll be ok. My kids will be ok and maybe, just maybe, we'll make it out better than we came into it. (Remind me of that when I have to pay our bills!)