Please, don't anything break down!

Ok, so we finally got our taxes back and are trying to get our selves situated for how ever long we can. Joel's unemployment deposits have started coming in. They deposit it directly to our checking account, which is nice. We were able to put down a years rent on our lot, and also pay a years rent for our storage locker (one of the perks of living in a mobile home is no storage space for all that food storage and such) and are looking at paying a year on our home and car insurance. I feel much better knowing the important things are taken care of and we'll figure out the rest as it comes. I just pray that nothing breaks down or needs repairs in the meantime!
Don't breathe too hard.

Since Joel was laid off I am on my third round with colds. It's crazy! I don't usually get so sick, but almost every week I've come down with another round of sore throat, stuffy nose, aches and pains. I guess stress really can affect the body and the immune system.

I have too much to get done to let it keep me down for long. Too bad the Dow doesn't feel the same way, hahaha. Ouch, it hurts when I laugh, or look at the Wall Street ticker.

Interesting tid-bit. I booked a wedding last week, for May. They had booked my friend photographer Dominique, but when they had to change their plans, she couldn't cover their wedding on their new date, so she referred them to me. Turns out the groom is cousins with a good friend from our old ward, and most likely nephew to her dad, who is in our new ward. Small world!

I am really looking forward to their wedding, it is in an awesomely colorful venue. The Loring Pasta Bar is where it's at. Amazing colors, and scenery, architecture and decor. It's a dream come true for me :) I'm going to have so much fun!

Oh Brother

I just came across this one today when looking back through some unused images.

Brothers.

Happy Birthday Jaeden!

Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously
My own.
Never forget
For a single minute:
You didn't grow under my heart
But in it.
© Fleur Conkling Heyliger

Five years and two weeks ago Joel and I found out that our pregnancy had failed at 9 weeks along. We hadn't had much time to get used to the idea that we were pregnant again, but it was long enough to cause us great sorrow at the loss of our hopes and dreams for this little one. (Although I believe greatly, and found comfort, in the promise of modern revelation that our little ones who are lost will be ours again in the millennium, it's unclear if a little one lost so early in pregnancy had a spirit prepared for it. If there was, I believe that we will be reunited with that child again in our eternal family.)

Five years ago, today, Joel and I found out that we were going to be instant parents to a beautiful blond haired, blue eyed 5 pound 4 ounce bundle of pink joy. Jaeden. Jaeden came into our lives quite unexpectedly, and with the perfect timing of a miracle blessing.

Since the day she came home with us she has brought us nothing but joy. Her smile lights up the room. Her giggles play my heartstrings in sweet melody. Her snuggles warm even the deepest parts of my heart. She is cheerful, intelligent, has a great sense of humor, is caring, loving and sharing even to her siblings that are less than deserving of her sweet nature. She is pure joy to us. I feel so deeply blessed and honored that I get the privilege of being her mother. I never feel worthy of that blessing from any of my children and it touches me deeply that God has trusted these little souls to me, to us. I pray that I do a worthy job.

I also pray for all the unwanted babies in the world, that their lives will be spared and they will be given the blessing of being adopted into homes with parents who will love and cherish them.

Oh and Jaeden became a mommy today, on her very special birthday, to about a million of these...

Thanks Aunt Sarah and Uncle Gary.

Congratulations Jaeden! And Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Today, a Special Treat is in Store for You!

Today you get to be treated to a 4th of July picture heaven...
Let the show begin!
On the 4th of July we took our children to Murphy's Landing, which is the site of one of Minnesota's earliest settlements. It's a great place to take the kids, and teach them about early settlement days, activities, chores and way of living. When we first got there we took a wagon ride down a dusty road to the town. We were first met in a huge red barn by a couple that were setting up some twine to be made into rope.

They gave each of our children and Joel a cross made of wood to stick into the middle of the twines.
The man at the end turned a crank which twisted the twines and turned them into a thick rope.
The kids all got a piece of that rope.

When we were in the barn we could hear some sheep in the back, so we went around the back to visit them.

After visiting the sheep we wandered down the road to the town.

We came to an old farmhouse

where an older couple were looking over the garden.

They also had some yummy berries growing!

There were lots of different buildings and homes with people (actors) going about their business. Some were baking. Some were doing chores, and let the kids help. Some were going about their professions such as the farmers or teacher or blacksmith. These are images I took along our tour.

Here are our children fenced up, Joyanna is mooing.

We visited a school where a teacher told the kids about how the classroom was organized.

And how the children were disciplined... not a bad idea, huh?

There was a building next door that had some old fashioned toys so we played for a couple of minutes. Joy saw someone she recognized.
Jacob made us pose like this. I swear.

This was the first time our kids got to play in a row of corn. When I was a kid, my dad's corn rows were the best hiding spot when playing hide and seek.

The kids got to try out some old-time toys.
When I was young we had some of these- way fun!





We also got to do some chores, the old fashioned way!

If you know me, you know I can't leave without a shot of chickens! :)

We also got to see how things were made. This first shot is a shot of an old-fashioned sewing kit for an old pedal sewing machine.

This lady taught us about spinning wool, and the different ways. This is Josh combing the wool.

This is a drop spindle.

And an old spinning wheel.

Some more toys.

We also came to a house where this guy was playing some fun banjo music and let the kids join in with his song.

Jake thought he was pretty cool that day...

Until we saw a parade... complete with the statue of liberty, flag children....

the town's baseball team...

And all the town's folk.

We really got into the spirit of Independence Day...

There was also a lady there with a rescued hawk.


Jaeden got tired of walking.

These are some neat things I saw at the blacksmith's shop.



Wouldn't this be awesome for a Valentine's Day card?

There was lots of beautiful nature around us as well.

It got to be a really hot afternoon...
But we couldn't leave before watching the baseball team play a couple of innings...

Boy the rules sure were different back then!

I think our children had a good time and learned a little bit about what there is to love about our country and our heritage.

And then we took the wagon back to our car.