Back in the Saddle Again

I haven't blogged anything in forever! Lots of things happening in my life. I might try this again and see what happens. :)

Let's see...2011 is coming to a close and as I look back, I clearly see the hand of the Lord in my life. I wish I was better at journaling, however. I can't remember everything, but the following are some of the major highlights.

Last school year, I had one child in College, one in High School, one in Jr. High, and the three little ones in elementary school. Talk about strange! But, this year, ALL six kids are in school! I thought I would not know what to do with my time, but I have managed to find plenty!

In August, I helped some friends pack and move. They had to pack up quickly and the mom wasn't sure what to do. They did not take much with them, but what they could fit in their RV and a tow behind trailer and small automobile. I did quite a bit of packing and tried to help the mom maintain her sanity through it all. They made their move and are doing very well, but are sorely missed.

A few weeks later, I packed my mom and moved her from Middleton, Idaho to Pleasant Grove, Utah. I am thankful for the help I had for the first few days, hauling, sorting, and tossing things. It made packing up her home much, much easier. (Thanks to my sweet sister and my uncle.)

Zachary had surgery in October. He had a cyst removed from his forehead and a lymph glad removed from his neck. Thankfully, there is no cancer and he is mostly healed up. He had the stitches on his forehead rupture on the outside, so he has quite a nasty scar. But, with time, hopefully it will minimize a bit.

We had a flood in our basement, that has been ongoing for the last while. It was finally determined that it was NOT the sprinkler system, but that we had the cartridge go bad in the upstairs bathtub faucet and as much water as was spraying out of the faucet, was spraying into the wall. JOY!!! So, when the girl's took a shower or a bath, the water was running down the wall and saturating the carpet in the room below them. Later, it was determined that in 3 of the 4 bathrooms, the cartridges were all bad! So, as a precaution, we had them all replaced.

After months of leaking, and inspections, and mold, and damaged carpet, etc. we had walls removed, mold removal and treatment, heppa fans running, walls replaced, carpet replaced, and the room repainted. Now, all the repairs have been made, a few items replaced, and a few more items still to be replaced, but looking on the bright side...we have a home, we have a roof over our heads, we have warmth and we are truly blessed. Sometimes, things happen that help remind us of what is truly important in our lives. Sometimes, those lessons are not necessarily convenient, but are teaching moments...that help us learn some of life's greater lessons. Count your blessings! And, be grateful!

The kids are playing hide-and-seek, in the dark, in our house as I write this. It is also 10:30pm, so I should probably go for now and get the little ones off to bed. Christmas break...staying up late, playing games, having friends over, having sleep-overs, and just having lots of fun! I love Christmas break! I love having my kids home and am glad to see that they really do love each other. :)