Home for Sale

Blair couldn't work at Walmart, he was in a bunch of pain and was living on pain pills, he had to quit.

Our house now has a for sale sign in front of it. I'm sticking to my guns, since the answer to my prayer about being home with my kids was so strong. I'm struggling with it a bit....Ok, let's be honest,I'm struggling with it a lot.I've put so much of my heart into fixing it up and it's our first house. I'll miss my back yard especially. We have some time, at least a few months-so perhaps there is still hope Blair can find a new job before there is no turning back.
 Homeschool has been a challenge with two unemployed grown men hanging around the house. David is so easily distracted (and so am I) that we are falling behind on his work. Next week we really have to buckle down and get caught up. His emotions are all over the place and I've officially decided that I really, really, really don't like puberty, especially in an autistic child.
Broden has straight A's and was recently awarded his Star scouting rank. He's a Life rank away from Eagle scout land.  He's not loving Junior High, but who does? He's doing very well considering it's 8th grade.
Morgan, yet again, has too much on her plate. FFA, NHS, school play, early morning seminary, and a variety of school clubs she joined. But her grades are good, even if she is a bit grumpy.

The truck has been out of commission for 3 weeks. Yes, THREE WEEKS. Blair had to replace the clutch. and the flywheel. and the master cylinder. and the slave cylinder. Oh, and did you know that the '92 Dodge Dakota has a self bleeding system? Guess what that means. Royal Pain in the Bum to get the air out of the line. Three men out in my driveway tonight still trying to bleed the line.Three weeks, I'm not even kidding. Transportation has been a challenge. Luckily, Blair has his motorcycle. Unluckily, once of the buddy pegs (where my right foot should rest) has broken off. So visualize......Not-so-skinny, 30 something female,on the back of a motorcycle which is being driven by a not-so-skinny 30 something male, with the females right leg sticking straight out to the side wearing a bright red helmet and a backpack full of groceries. It's a lovely picture. It will probably show up on "people of walmart" soon. I'll share if I see it.

I'm still working at Maceys, but only as a sub. It's nice not being there all the time. I've been making decent sales with my Mary Kay, but I could do better if I was more proactive.
So that's whats been going on for the last month in a nutshell--or the nut house. :)
Keep Smilin' that's what I'm doing!

Homeschooling update

So far I'm liking the K12 program. It's nice to have it planned out for me, I am a little overwhelmed but we'll hit our groove. There is a lot of work, and he's expected to have online sessions with his teachers each week. Because of his IEP, it's going to be nearly every day. He is receiving psychological services each week as well. We could opt for a web cam meeting, but for now we are driving to Salt Lake every week.
 Today we went to see the moving Vietnam Memorial Wall at the Spanish Fork Cemetery for our history lesson. I wrote a little social story so David would understand what it was about about and how to behave appropriately. It was a short visit, but it seemed to have an impact on him. We checked out a DK book about the Vietnam War from the library and he enjoyed reading through that. Tomorrow we are going to start talking about the Topaz Internment Camp. I checked a book from the library ( love the library!) called Journey to Topaz. We'll let you know how we like it. The Springville art museum has an exhibit of art by some of the prisoners from Topaz until Oct. 15th, so we'll be going to see that after we finish the book.
Morgan has loaded herself up as usual. She's in the chorus for the HS production of Phantom of the Opera, so there's a load of work there. She's in FFA again, as well as in her Young Womens class presidency (church). She's taking early morning seminary again this year-the crazy girl- and has a full course load of classes.
Broden is doing well, pulling all A's so far this term, he's got mixed feelings about school. He really hates the homework, but enjoys learning new things and being with his friends.
Blair is hanging in there at Walmart, not his fave thing, but we're all grateful he's got a job.
Blair's best friend Dave (the one we named our David after) is here staying with us for  a bit. He's a blast. My boys pester the poor guy to death and have a bad case of hero worship. He's been great with them, and we enjoy having his cheerful spirit in our home.
I know I keep saying this, but I will try to blog more often. And I really need to post some pictures. :)

Education Week & Other Fun

My mom, Morgan & I went to Education Week at BYU this last week. It was so fun!A few of the classes we attended were; a  DNA class (which was way over my head), a music theory class which I learned loads in, and a folk dancing class in which I almost died from hauling my sweaty, out-of-shape body across the floor.  I thoroughly enjoyed the gardening classes I made it to. My new fave website I got from the "Enjoying the Harvest" class. Also a family history & internet class. I learned so much this week!
My favorite is always going to the bookstore and meeting the various artists. There are so many talented people there! Last year I found a new favorite artist. Her name is Elizabeth Stanley. She had a painting called "Daughter of God". I fell in love with it. I sat and had a conversation with her, in which she told me the inspiration behind it. Words can't describe how I felt. It was exactly what I was there to hear. My Father wanted me to remember that I am important to Him. That I am His daughter and He loves me. It was one of the most memorable spiritual experiences I have had. She was at BYU again this year, and talking to her for  just a moment reminded me of the things my Heavenly Father had wanted me to know the previous year. I am so grateful my Heavenly Father loves me and reminds me of that on a regular basis. I just need to get better at  listening.

David will be 12 this week. Wow. My baby is 12. We had his party today. I survived! Everyone seemed to have a good time, I didn't have a come-apart and neither did Dave. :) We had a movie night. The kids came over, ate pizza and then watched Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief (a movie based on some of our favorite books) We had an intermission, opened presents and ate cake, and then returned to the movie.  The kids then played with the presents for awhile and trickled home. Success!

School starts this week! Do you have any fun back to school traditions?

Going Private vs Staying "public"

I am seriously considering going back to private settings, which requires you (the reader) to log in each time you visit. What do you think?

HE GOT A JOB!!!!!

Just a quick note-He's got a job at Payson Walmart as night stocker! YEAH! Thanks for all the prayers!!! He's not thrilled, but I'm excited enough for both of us!!!!

Breathe.......

Saturday morning I was cooking the usual toad-in-a-hole for David, when all of a sudden I couldn't breathe, my heart started pounding and I was shaking. "Ok", I think, "I'm probably not having a heart attack. Probably a panic attack, maybe I should call 911,but I can't afford to call 911, ambulances are expensive." So I called my mom. (Thanks Mom!) She (after a few phone calls to urgent care clinics {one of which didn't open 'til 1pm} and to each other, headed on down to Family First Clinic. I had talked to them on the phone (at their local Spanish Fork number and through my strange and panicked breathing,told them I was coming.) Mom had looked up their address and came by to pick me up. She dropped off Dad (thanks Dad!) to sit with the boys who, by bickering and bugging each other were NOT helping my breathing issue) We drove around and around. Couldn't find it. (Not helping my panicked breathing thingy) Stopped at Shopko. Mom ran in and looked in their phone book. Yup-she had the address right. We head back over to where it's supposed to be. Oh, THERE it is! with an itty bitty sign on the door and nothing on the main complex sign. Relieved we've finally gotten me some help, we climb out and head up. Posted on the door is a sign that says, "We have moved to blah,blah University Avenue, Provo. " Ya think they could have said sumthin' on the phone to the lady who COULDN'T BREATHE? They did however want to find out what kind of insurance I had and make sure I could pay them while I was on the phone with them-- they wouldn't see me otherwise. Gave up on Family First (which even though it has a Spanish Fork number and address, isn't actually anywhere near Spanish Fork, in case you were wondering and really wanted to go there for urgent care and avoid the emergency room.)
Mom took me over to the InstaCare clinic in Springville. They were still in Springville, glad they hadn't decided to move on me too. They got me right in, determined I was probably not having a heart attack, but hooked me up to some wires and junk just to make sure. Found out, heart good, stress bad. They gave me a prescription for something to mellow me out, which did, and I could breath OK again! I just can't drive, 'cause the meds make me loopy. But hey--loopy is better than not breathing!

So, ya think that the panic attack has anything to do with (now) 1 shift left @ Maceys and still no working hubby? or more to do with Homeschooling David? (Who informed me today, "Just in case you wondered, I mostly chew with my molars. ) or Morgan beginning driving & dating in the next few months? Or Broden going into 8th grade and deciding girls are looking mighty interesting?
Ok....breathe.......

Best news, I have a new niece! 8lbs, born yesterday, she's beautiful and I can't wait to spend lots of time kissing her chunky cheeks! Congrats Jon & Ezzy!

Mom! I'm bored!

So, are we tired of this refrain yet? I know I am!

Thursday we took a little drive over to Payson to Peteetneet museum. It's a cool building with a neat history, you can learn more here.

I'd been over there a few weeks ago to a quilt show, and wandered into the museum area of the school. The adorable ladies are so excited to show you everything they have, and there is quite a lot! I saw a few of the exhibits and they told me about some of the other rooms. As soon as they told me about the freedom room, I knew I'd need to take my boys to see it.The boys loved it, they were mostly interested in the WWII items, but they did learn quite a bit about other conflicts while we were there. My fave was the western room, if you are into western stuff, go on a Thursday. The lady that knows everything about everything in that room is there on that day.
I think the best thing is that the sweet volunteers walk around with you, give you some history and not just a few personal stories. If you are over that way, take the time to check it out. It's free and very interesting. The worst thing is how hot the building is, there is A/C of sorts, but you mostly just feel it in the hallway. If you're visiting in the heat of summer, dress accordingly. I'd imagine the heat situation is similar in the winter.

Happy 24th of July! Pioneer Day to those of us in Utah. Spanish Fork has its big ole party during the week of the 24th. Full on parade, carnival, live music, as well as lots of other stuff... like the rodeo! We made it to the parade, it was HOT. and LONG. and HOT. Morgan was on the FFA float, so I had to be a good mom and go watch her. She was the best part of the parade. Right after her, my faves were the pipe bands and the color guard (civil war reenactors). Once all that was done, we hoofed it over to the quilt show. Great quilts, fun people. It was HOT. Blair & the boys visited with the blacksmith that sets up there each year while Morgan and I wandered the quilts. I drank a lot of water. Did I mention it was HOT? Headed home, took a very long nap and went to work at the happiest place in Spanish Fork. Only 3 more weeks and I am a stay-at-home mom again. :) ( No, he still hasn't found a job. Please pray hard, I am.)

I actually made it to church today. I know-right? Me, at church! I'm kind of hit & miss lately, but I'm making it a priority. I came home and got busy doing all the stuff I've been procrastinating all week. Made bread (here's the recipe I love), made Broden's tin foil dinner for his camp out, canned 8 quarts and 1 pint of pickled beets, and made peanut butter bars. I just pulled the last of the jars out of the hot water bath and am loving listening to the 'pop' of the lids sealing.

I'm tired, off to bed. :)