Trials of our Faith

It has been a real challenge since James decided to get off the road. We are both working, but not making even half what he was making. So we are now looking for a place to rent. We haven't been able to pay our mortgage for three months now and are just getting deeper and deeper in the hole. When James was rebaptized he was counseled not to go back on the road because of all the temptations there are. He was already driving though and we couldn't see any way of making it with out him driving over the road. So now that he has made the decision to stay off the road and work where he can go to church it is hitting us hard. But I know that we will be blessed by fallowing the counsel of the bishop. We have looked at a few places and are going to look at one today that is 4/2 and only $650/month. I'm hoping that we can get into it. It is only a few houses from my sister, it is half the cost that we have now. It has a huge yard, it will still be in the same ward. It also looks bigger than our place now. It will allow our dog also. James is still trying to get a better paying job and that will help us to pay things off. If we get this place I could also drive for the school out there. I think that it will work out that I can drive and still work at Lambert's. I might also try changing to working days at Lambert's to get more hours and just have my SIL watch the twins for a few hours during the day before they go to school. I haven't got it all worked out in my head as to what will be the best option. I just know that James going back over the road isn't an option for our family. He told the Bishop the other night that when he was on the road he felt spiritually dead. That isn't good for someone that is wanting to get his blessings restored. So I'll do what ever it takes to make sure that we continue to grow. We have been doing family prayer morning and night, couples prayer, scripture study as a family and FHE. So I do know that the more we do the right things the harder we will be tested.

My deepest sorrow

My heart aches for my brother-in-law. We all felt that his wife was going to go back to her mom and never come back. But when it actually happened it just hit me because it is so much like what James went through with his ex. I feel so bad for Mikel because in all actualality he may not see his kids again. Rachel has lied about things their whole marriage. She has only gone to church a handful of times since moving out here last Aug. She hasn't tried to make friends here or even tried to become closer to family here. She has never been able to not be with her mom telling her what she needs to do. I'm not saying that Mike isn't to blame also, he didn't want to face what was going on. Before she even moved out here she was doing things that indicated that she was never going to move here. He moved here and got a job and house for them. She took another eight months to come out. She would say that she was going to be here by such and such a date. It would come and go and she would still be with her mom. She would have him send her money for "the move" and then not have money to get here. She started doing that again here. She has been in charge of the money and hasn't been paying the bills. He just kept saying that she was doing a great job. He didn't want to face the fact that she was spending money on thing that he had no idea where it was going.
The reason I say that it feels just like what James went through is that like with James, Rachels parents are putting all the money into it. So it will be hard for Mike to get what he should because he doesn't make the money that his FIL does. I really hope that Rachel isn't like Lynnette and that she will allow Mike to see his kids.

Tiny wonders of nature

I'm so glad that I'm able to view the wonders of nature from my kitchen window. It is great being able to watch the baby cardinal hatch and grow. It makes my kids more aware of the blessings that the Lord has given us. It warms my heart to see this tiny baby grow right before my eyes. To watch the daddy come to the nest with good food to give the mama and baby it just is so calming.

I love being out in my yard pulling weeds and watching this family interact with one another.

Gardening

Yesterday my sister and I started our garden boxes. We have added mulch and will be adding manure then the seeds. We did three loads of mulch in the back of my van. We have three boxes made and started making a fourth. We are planning on planting corn, squash,beans, potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, onion and melon.
This is the first time either of us have done a garden. I've very excited to be doing this with her.
We are doing it all at her house since she has the room for it and I don't. Our kids love going to get the wood and mulch. They are excited to see what we plant. I'm hoping that with them helping choose what goes into the garden that they will be more likely to eat the vegetables.

I can't believe that I fell down the stairs last night. My ankle is so sore that I can hardly stand to put my weight on it. I'm just glad that I fell backwards and didn't land on Zena. My hip hurts, my whole right side aches. I have to much to do to be laid up. I have to go to town to get James' check, I have two very active little girls and a puppy.
My neck is sore and I just want to crawl back in bed.

Teancum's Christmas Concert

Here is a video clip from Teancum's Christmas concert on Tuesday.
I don't know how to add the video like Libby and others do, so I hope this works.
It was cute watching all the kindergartens. Teancum kept making comments, like;"We're going to be awesome mom." Or,"We are going to sound like chipmunks."
I'm glad that he loves music. He really is a great kid most days.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkxoS6w0LkE

I can do it!

I'm so proud of myself. I got up early Thanksgiving morning and jogged 5k. I did it in 35min. Tuesday I did it again in 33min. I don't get to jog much with James being gone all the time. So it was nice to not have to go slow for kids. I was back home and showered before the kids were even awake. Tuesday I waited until the three that had school were gone and then had my FIL watch Lyberty so that I could jog. My sister and James both called while I was jogging so I had to walk for a bit to talk, but other than that I jogged.