Come what may and love it!

I know something is really retarded with my blogs. It's probably just me. I don't know! The other blog doesn't work either! I'll just have to paint a picture for you since there are none to be found on my blog!

We've been here for over 2 months now! I like it here a lot! But, I also like to be busy. So, being called to be Primary President of our new ward that split about a month ago is a fun challenge. Talk about being thrown into the mix. I can't complain that I'm not getting to know people right away! I also can't complain that I'm bored. There are 100 kids and 50 in Nursery. After calling every single teacher and leader, we also threw together a Primary Sacrament Program that was on Sunday. I'm beginning to relax now but of course wanting a project. I'm looking at my home wanting to create a masterpiece of design for every inch! Patience never has been much of a strength for me- so waiting for the money to pour in, so I can accomplish all my plans is tough, but I'll live. Elder Wirthlin said "Come what may and love it". I'll try!

I asked the kids tonight at dinner to name one time they felt the spirit today. I was pretty surprised at how quickly they were able to come up with the special moments of the day. And also- the sweet acts of kindness that they did for others that helped create that happy feeling! (Shoot- being self absorbed doesn't create happiness.) I feel like I learn so much from them! How did I end up the mother of these kids? Seriously so blessed :) I would insert a picture right here that shows all 4 of the older kids sleeping in the same bunkbed together! We bought a 5 bedroom house and they want to sleep on the same bed!? Such cuteness.

Go to my new blog

OK- So, I'm so bummed out that this computer will not post pictures on my blog! I opened a blog on Wordpress and it works there. So, I guess I'm switching over for now. The new address is staceystuff7.wordpress.com Try it and then you can see our cute Halloween pics!

We're Never Moving Again!!

So, this is it!! We have arrived and we are never moving again! This is probably our 8th move since we've been married and we are done! I am so happy we found a great house while the market is down here. And it's big enough to stay for a long time! The stress of this whole experience was enough to give Tyson a nervous tick in his neck, Jordyn got sick to her stomach every time we pulled up to the school for a week. JD was throwing up in the toilet= Just kidding, but close! And I am just ecstatic to NOT be a single mother anymore!! This whole time period has ALMOST been too much for our family to handle. It has been nice to be back together and in our VERY OWN home! And to get into a routine and some stability!! To finally have time to blog is a small miracle.

JD is learning new things everyday! It is a challenge for him- he is brave and I think he is up to the task. He is doing things that are out of his comfort zone with all this networking and marketing. He's such a good one on one guy that this is new for him! He is doing a little bit of counseling on the side as well.

Between unpacking boxes and painting the house I have started a Preschool at home. I realize that sounds kind of overwhelming and believe me I've had my moments- but I feel really blessed! Two of my good friends from Houston that moved here a couple years ago (Michelle and Melissa) put their boys in my Preschool and got their friends to put their kids in and I was full before I even started! It has been a blessing because #1 I make money and can still be home with my kids #2 Luke and Joey have afternoon Kindergarten so they get to be a part of it and have 6 friends over 3 days a week. #3 They are all (except one) going into Kindergarten next year so they are all soo cute and ready to learn and obedient and able to do so much- it's fun!

We are loving our house and our cul de sac. I have an endless list of all the new things I want to make our house a home, but for now I am just greatful to have a place to live and to be together as a family!

We are ready and accepting visitors! My sister Lindsay has already come for a weekend- it was really fun to hang out with them. Book your stay in advance- so we can plan for you!

Our 2024 Future Olympians!!

I love this picture because it captures our summer!! We swam every single day!! Well- I should say the 4 oldest kids did! They went to swim practice every day at 8am, and had a swim meet almost every Saturday. I was one PROUD mama! The improvements they made were phenomenal! Their commitment was incredible. They gave their best every time and the results are so easy to measure because they shaved off seconds every meet! And at one meet when Luke and Joey finally "got it"- they shaved 25 seconds off their times each! It was a JOY to watch them and cheer for them! Very fulfilling way to spend time together as a family for us, and to learn to swim, and to get Awesome exercise, and to just have fun! A time I can Yell FOR my kids instead of AT them! (I'm seriously getting better at yelling- I've got it down to about once a month now)


Of course all the kids HAVE to be on 3 different levels. Luke and Joey went to the Bronze County Swim Meet. Jordyn qualified for Silver. And Tyson at Gold. Jordyn could have gone to Gold- but I thought it would be fun for her to really experience a lot of sucess at Silver. And she did!! She came home with 3 Gold medals and a Silver. I was so proud of her hard work and effort!!
Tyson surprised us, even at the Gold Meet came home with a Gold, Silver and a 4th place. Wow! Even though I tell the kids that they are really racing against the clock, to beat their own best time. It seems they are much more motivated when someone is neck and neck!


I don't know what happened to the video of Jordyn's butterfly. But Lukie's backstroke is a hoot to watch! I love it, cuz his arms are in Turbo speed motion!

HIKE

When we first moved here in May- 2 of my sisters and I and all our kiddos (11 between us) hiked up a trail in Pleasant Grove. It was really cold- so some turned back.

But at the end was a fun waterfall!! We knew we needed to come back on a warmer day!


So- we came back when it was 95* outside! The water was freezing!!


But it was FUN!!

2 States Later!

We made it!! We have succesfully made it across a couple states with a 26ft Uhaul, with a trailer carrying the Civic. And me driving the van loaded to the brim with stuff that didn't fit in the truck! We actually gave away 2 sets of couches and our truck was still completely packed tight- I don't think there was an air hole in that thing. Regretful for me- we left the Ping Pong table- I kept trying to persuade JD to make room for it, but it wasn't on his agenda. We also left an entertainment center and lots of very good friends! We could have made room for them in the Uhaul, but nobody wanted to take us up on that! As we were packing toys, I made 2 separate boxes- toys they play with a lot and toys they play with a little. Luke said "Mom, we could put Gunnar in that box- we play with him alot!" That's how we feel about all our friends- we'd like to ship them out with us!



This is our view out of my sister's backyard. Hello- Mt. Timpanogos. One year 2 of my sisters and I hiked all day and didn't even get to the top!


We have invaded my sister's house. Luckily it is a large home that seems to absorb us all well. They are sweet to let us be here during this time of transition for our family. We are trying to make every effort to help and not be a burden, but how can 6 more people NOT be a burden. We just keep cleaning and communicating though and it seems to be a Win/Win so far!!

JD is in Henderson, NV during the week and comes home on the weekends. His title is Entrepreneur Consultant. He helps people who have started their own business automate and systemize their business, so they have time to do the things they want to do. He is catching on fast and enjoying it! Although I think we underestimated how hard it would be on our family to be apart! It has actually been a struggle that's also been a blessing because it has caused us to really communicate and really miss each other!

I lined up the 4 boys and they all got their summer haircuts this week! I'm almost ready to do that to myself!

JD has come home one weekend so far! I found a cheap flight for him on Jet Blue to come home last weekend (or so I thought). He got to the airport and realized I scheduled the flight for THIS weekend. And he can't even come back this weekend because of a training. And now we won't see him for 2 weeks! As my Grandma Taylor would say "I'm so mad I could just spit!" JD and I laugh at the movie "Maverick" cuz there's a part that Jodi Foster is trying to help Mel Gibson, but she ends up shooting the guns in his holsters. I feel like that's me 75% of the time.

The only thing really on the schedule for the summer so far is.. Swim team. It's fun to see Luke and Joey's different personalities come out again. Joey went 5 strokes, got tired and grabbed the wall for a rest. Luke would rather die than touch that wall even though he looked as though he could drown at any time. They said we could let Joey try it for a couple weeks and see if he likes it. It will be fun to see them progress! So all 4 kids go to swim practice every single day for an hour. And a swim meet every Saturday. I wonder if they'll hate it or love it by the end of the summer?

Luke and Breanne playing the piano.

The boys got into some sort of argument that turned into a wrestling match. They had to sing "I'll be nice, nice to my brother- kind to each other always a friend. And I won't- I won't be violent- keep anger silent- control within. I'll be nice, I'll be kind. Treat others nice. Make up my mind."

It's my favorite song! You can see they are thrilled to be singing it.

But, brothers always make up and love each other again!