Here we go again...

Before reading this post click on the Josh Groban "You are loved" song on my playlist, it will add emotion while reading... :)

I asked Tom if I could write about this personal experience for a few reasons, (1) I use my blog to journal and (2) I want to share our faith with friends and family who read our stories. So here goes, on Friday 3/28 Tom calls me and says , "You are not going to believe this! The company is going under!" I immediately thought he was teasing me like he frequently does, but after a few minutes I knew he was serious. Instead of feeling utter panic and crying I kind of laughed and said, "Well, we've been through this before and things always work out." Tom and I both felt peace. We've been through this 4 times in 4 years!!!! So, bring it on! Life is full of challenges and ups and downs. Tom and I feel so blessed to have the gospel, our family and friends, good health, and freedom. Everything else is just temporal stuff. I'm not saying it's easy and I know there may be days where all I eat is chocolate and cry a lot but I feel such strength from Heavenly Father. The past 4 times we have gone through a trial like this Tom has just been amazing and stalwart! He is my strength and positive influence. I tend to be a little negative and worry a lot, Tom counteracts all that. The thing we both find so amazing is that each time we have come out in a better situation, things we could not have foreseen, doors were open that we never knew were there! Family, friends, and our church were such HUGE blessings!! So I am hoping this time is the same...we have been praying for a way to get me back home (not teaching and maybe another baby) and maybe this will be an answer! Another incredible thing is the fact that I am working and have health benefits. Over a year ago Tom and I both felt I should go back to teaching. It was a VERY hard decision and I cried a lot (and still do, I did NOT want to quit my cute home preschool...) but we couldn't believe how strongly we felt it was the right thing to do at the time. Well, now it has blessed us TWO times in less than a year!! We feel very grateful for me to have a stable income and benefits! Plus I work great hours and have the summers off with my babies. So really I should quit my complaining! I am excited to say that my baby Summer will be in the preschool at my school next year too! Another blessing. So during this "storm" Tom and I feel very calmed by our Heavenly Father. I keep thinking out of all the trials we could have this is really minor. As long as we have each other and the gospel we can get through anything! I just wanted to share my feelings and say that I know our Heavenly Father loves us, knows us, knows our names (the one we have here and the one He gave us), He is in control, I know these things with all my heart and it makes ALL the difference in my life!

Sum, Sum, Summertime

3/25 How many birthday traditions do we have?? A lot! Here are the morning donuts and the poster!

More Summer Fun!

On Monday 3/24 Tom and I took Summer up to Primary Children's Hospital to meet with a doctor about her tonsils/adenoids surgery. We were talking about it with her the day before and our other kids were scaring Summer saying "They're going to take your tonsils out!" She was SO nervous on Monday and right when we were getting to the hospital she threw up in the car, she doesn't get carsick so I know it was nerves. Poor thing. She went into the doctor's office covering her mouth (so they couldn't take her tonsils!) Even though I kept telling her we were just talking today! The surgery is set for June 3rd after school is out so I can be home with her. Anyway, we decided to take Summer on her "birthday date with mom and dad" the same day since we were both off work. We ate in SLC and then met Becky, Sam, and Mo at the zoo. Summer just adores Sam so we thought it would be fun to have them all there, and it was fun!



She fell asleep 30 seconds after getting in the car!

Happy ending to a hard day...

There's nothing like waking up to messages from all your para educators that they won't be at school today! All of them gone at the same time for unforeseen circumstances! It is very hard to find subs for special ed! Then my cute secretary calls in a panic, "Sally! Did you know you're going to be alone today???!!" I wanted to say, "Can't we just cancel class because there is NO way I can do it by myself!!" But a very awesome mom of one of my students volunteered to sub and they found someone else to help me in the morning. For those who don't understand what a severe special ed class looks like I will try to explain...12 kids ages 6-8, 5 in diapers, 3 who wander/run away, all need one-on-one help, all on a preschool level and attention spans of flies.. I felt like I was trying to herd kittens on speed all day today! I love my class dearly but it is so hard without my great aides! Needless to say I was/am exhausted, I called Tom and said, "I cannot do anything tonight." So he was sweet to suggest that we go out as a family for Summer's birthday to the Mayan restaurant. YAY!






I guess on M,T,W they have fire eaters. It was hilarious when the show started because we were right up front and Zack shouted, "You shouldn't play with fire!" He's right!

Summer's Birthday Week?

We went to my mom's house for dinner on Sunday and had a party for Summer. (I can't believe my baby is 4...sniff)


Savannah in her typical spot, on the computer!

Nick and Summer

Summer, Syd, Atlie, Macie


Think she's excited??

Summer and Hannah (my clone). My siblings and I used to (and still do) tease Hannah about really being my child, not my sister! We are mean! Isn't she cute?


Sydney and Atlie, cut from the same stone...partners in crime...but they sure are cute!

And then there's Zack my sweet little man!