{Big Changes}

Due to the crappy real estate market and current situation with our economy I decided that I should look for some part time work, just so we know that things would be okay while work with Josh is slower than normal. I found an add for a Psycho-Social Rehab specialist in the school district. It ended up being a little more than part time, but the wage was great and I only have to work 8-3 without weekends,holidays, or summers. I don't have to work when my kids aren't in school. I had an interview yesterday and was hired before I left. I am so thankful that I made the decision to finish my college degree even though I had to do it at night and between having kids. It wasn't an easy thing for me to do then, but because of my choice then it was so much easier for me to get a job that paid a decent wage and was semi-flexable. The hardest part was they want me to start today, so I spent yesterday cleaning and getting things here in order. I'm excited to do something new and scared because I haven't worked for quite awhile. Now, we just have some major adjustments to make around here!!

{I'm glad we're paying for this......}

Click here to read about all the Inaugruation Parties!!!

{This is what happens when someone famous comes to our liitle town...}

Last night the dance team had consessions, so I had to be there in charge of the girls. Our consession stand is right as you walk in the school so you see everyone that walks by. Being from such a small town you pretty much know eveyone that you see coming through. We played Snake River, so not many people were here from the other team because it's pretty far away. A group of pretty big guys walked in that weren't "Locals." I recognized one of the men, but I couldn't quite figure out who it was. About an hour later it clicked, it was Kory Hall.

He was a football player for BSU when we went to the Fiesta Bowl and now he plays for the Green Bay Packers. I second guessed myself, "Why would he be in Filer, ID?" I eventually had to take a peek again so I went into the game and sure enough, it had to be him. I went to Josh and told him who I thought it was and even showed him to Josh. He was across the gym. Josh told me not to tell anyone because he would be embarassed because his wife thought Kory Hall was in Filer and there was no way he was. I went back to my duties in the consession stand. Pretty soon Kelsie and Kamrin came to the concession stand asking for a paper plate. When I questioned why they needed them they said that there were a lot of people having some guy sign their clothes, papers, arms, etc... Aparently someone else realized he was there and at halftime everyone started asking for his autograph. He was really nice to all of the kids and people that were there. I do feel bad because he ended up leaving in the fourth quarter. Come to find out he is friends with our boys basketball coach....

Kelsie's sweatshirt

Kamrin's Arm

The best part is when Josh asked Kamrin who signed her arm she said that she didn't know it was just some guy.

{The little man of the house...}

When Kyler was about 9 months old the pediatrician noticed that there was something going on with his eyes. Most newborns do kind of weird things with their eyes at first, so I wasn't too concerned.By nine months though it should have corrected itself and hadn't and in fact had gotten worse. I agreed with the pediatrician that seeing a doc in Salt Lake would be a good idea. After lots of tests a few trips back to Salt Lake we had an uneasy feeling about what was happening there. The doctors haven't been able to pinpoint an exact diagnosis for Kyler's eye syndrome. There are quite a few that he suspects and all have a differnt course of treatment. Most of which should be started by age two.Because his vision is pooe and his depth perception isn't very good, he cannot walk. In September, right before his first birthday he couldn't even crawl. We attend physical and occupational therapy weekly to help Kyler develop the skills like eating with a fork, crawling, walking, and climbing. After our last trip to Salt Lake in November I talked with Kyler's pediatrician and we decided that we would travel to another hospital to get a second opinion. We decided that if we were making a trip, we might as well make it to a very good eye center. The pediatrician located the top ten pediatric eye centers in the nation and we chose the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. It comes very highly recommended and wasn't clear across the country. So, Josh, Kyler, and I are headed to Iowa on Valentines day. Hopefuly we will be able to get some very much needed answers for Kyler so that we can find a treatment to help him. It has been a bit of a challenge for me to watch him struggle through therapy as he tries to do things that I take for granted each day. I also learn from him as he does those hard things week after week and still goes back again the next week and tries all over again. The therapists that work with him are amazing, patient people. They continuously think of new ways to help him with his walking and love to play and joke with him. They have done very well taking something that they haven't worked with much and learning as much about his situation as possible in order to better help him. Most of all I am so greatful for Kyler's mild temperment and good attitude. He never seems to let this get in his way. He finds new ways to do things and never quits. Very seldom will you see Kyler without a smile on his face. I am thankful every day for this little boy that I was given to care for. I just have to continually reemind myself that we aren't given any obstacles or challenges that we can't handle and just take it one day at a time. So, wish me luck on an airplane with a 16 month old that can't sit still and isn't old enough to watch movies on an airplane for 3 1/2 hrs......

{Funny Kids}

OK, most of you have probably already seen some of these, but I had to post them. We were watching them last night and I have never heard my husband laugh so hard. It was almost funnier just to watch him watch the videos.....so here they are. Maybe, you'll enjoy them as much as he did!!

{Dessert anyone??}

Last night Josh and I were working on some paperwork in the office, meanwhile Kelsie and Kamrin decided to make some dessert to go with the dinner that was baking in the oven. This is what it looked like when Kels removed it from the freezer:

Their recipe in their own words:
You take two gogurts, any flavor. We used blue raspberry and a cotton candy. Next, you take some mandarin oranges and squish the up real small. (They used the garlic press and that seemed to work real well for them.)Mix it all up add some candy canes for garnish. Freeze for a little while and you have a great dessert!

Kyler loved their dessert more than any of us, I meant to get a picture of him because he pretty much devoured it. I forgot too, oh well!

{Giveaway #3}

Today Simple Finds is starting a drawing for a pair of KEEN shoes. These shoes are so comfy.....I just got this pair for Christmas from Josh and LOVE,LOVE,LOVE them!!


So, I was very excited to see this giveaway!! The drawing is January 14th, so get on over and enter the contest! Here is the link to the post.....

{Another Giveway....}

I can't believe that I found two in one day...But this website, Fun with Food Storage has lots of really good ideas,tips, and recipes to help you with your food storage. It has everything to start so that you won't be so overwhelmed. So, go check out the sight and their great giveaway!! Here is the link....

{Who doesn't love giveaways??}

Recently, I found a neat website that just has some really COOL stuff. Today I was browsing and found an awesome giveaway.....Who wouldn't love to win this:



Also, included in the drawing is vinyl to use in the machine and a $150 gift card for graphic and font downloads. Sound good to me....how about you?? For more info just go to, SIMPLE FINDS, and all the entry info is listed there.....

{Tubing at Magic}

Some people from one of our previous wards recently bought Magic Mountain, a small ski hill not too far from here. They added a tubing hill that had a little lift to get you to the top. They attach your tube to the cable and you ride in your tube to the top. We decided to take the girls and try it. Josh's brothers family also decide to come with us to try it out. Our girls loved it. I have to admit that I was pretty scared the first time I went down. I wasn't sure that my girls would even want to do it again. I was wrong they weren't a bit scared, got out of the tube and ran to get in line again. After we got the hang of it we started holding onto each others tubes so that we were in clusters of up to four tubes. We will definatly be going up again this year. Here are some pictures and videos to document our fun day....