What could happen? I mean honestly...

Already laughing before I start to type... don't know if that is a good sign or just my nerves re-surfacing again. What I do know is that it has been a LONG time since I last blogged. And come to find out a few people I don't know commented on a couple of my posts in the time I've been away. I know - really you're excited by only three... YES! THREE whole people I don't know said they liked my blog. Truly, I want to thank those individuals, you made my day!

I have been thinking about writing again for a few weeks with a new purpose, new desire, and ever changing view. The past two years have been, for lack of a better word, miraculous. And that is not one ounce of my sometimes "over dramatic" self. As you may have read two years ago I started a new journey, stepped out of my comfort zone, and saw a light at the end of a tunnel I had been stuck in for a few years. Let me back up and say, I appreciated that tunnel. Tunnels are not a bad thing; they shelter you when you are not able to withstand the exposure of what comes from being out in the sun, wind, and storms on your own. Thanks dad for being that tunnel. But I think he would agree that seeing the light and believing you are strong enough to leave the tunnel makes one smile. And not a cheesy smile, but a calm, grateful, lift of the corners of one's mouth. 

So a year passed, I was getting my engines warm and ready to move. The light was pretty much right in my face as 2013 started. Then what seemed to be a very obvious year ahead was switched for a very uncertain chain of events with twists, ups, downs, moments of fast-paced charging, and others where I felt I was at a stand still. The miraculous-ness - I'm still "on track." That track has a new path, a whole new scenery, and I am giving up trying to push it down a track that I think I want and let each day bring the simple joys of laughter, music, and hope. Ok... I'm done with the train/life metaphor. I was getting myself lost in trying to find one more way to connect the two (*chuckle*). It's not that I couldn't... just exhausted trying and who cares!

Energy re-focused - 

So 2013, THANK YOU! You brought with you a new home, with neighbors who immediately opened their arms to my family and our crazy life. I promise ward family, I didn't plan any of this and to those who served me with dinners, conversations, prayers, and even a phone call - you played a huge role in my miraculous year. I am anticipating many spiritual experiences with you in the upcoming years and friendships/memories to take with us forever!

2013, you also brought us a new opportunity for my husband. SDJH watch out! He is my loyal, quiet but bold hero who speaks the language of love. Was that too much info... sorry. Pero el es muy amable y tiene mucho amor por los jovenes, especialmente los que quiren saber como hablar su idioma favorita. Tambien, gracias por darle la oportunidad a enseñar. El esta muy feliz - y tambien nuestra familia.

Finally - 2013 you brought our most cherished miracle. Miss Ayva Milan. A determined daughter of God, who in spite of an IUD, a torn placenta, and entering the world at only 27wks & 2lbs  lifts the hearts of all she comes in contact with - especially our family. She is doing well and brought a light we didn't know we wanted let alone needed. She is my constant companion right now and reminds me (OK - taking it back to the train) that although I might not know all the turns and hills coming up my Savior and Father in Heaven do. They have a sense of humor with those switches, which I adore, and also know me better than anyone. 

I am stronger, happier, and more at peace because of you 2013. Thank you! And to answer my question posed in the title, "What could happen?" I take this time to look back at 2013 to remember how rocky it started and how pleasantly it ended. Why is this important? Well - 2014 - do you want to tell them or should I? Because you're in shock still I will - 2014 started off with a bang of a new hill to climb and a twist in the road that starts another adventure. My fabulous job that has allowed me some needed luxuries of being home and income has passed away... moment of silence please....  .....   .....   .....  (*tear drop*sniff*snarl*sigh*eyes focused*)  

MOVING ON - yes honestly, a lot can happen in a year or two. So, because negativity never brought anything positive in my life, I'm filling my space with a positive burst of happiness for what I have been given. If you would like to drink from my cup - well I should warn you - it's Diet Coke now. I know, I fell off the "no pop" wagon. But, I have hope I'll be able to some day get back on - just need a taste of childhood right now.  Thanks for reading and (*glasses clink*) here's to 2013, 2014, and letting things happen with a smile.

Moving forward...

The past month or so I have been given an opportunity to explore new horizons with a new company.  I have been working for WSU for nine years now, I love WSU! It is my alma mater, but not only that, I literally grew up on this campus. It's filled with people who I feel are family members and is considered a second home to me - truly. Since I was 10 years old I have only been disconnected from this school for maybe 3 years total. It has been loyal to me and I am grateful for the experiences I have had while here. Thus, choosing a new opportunity with a new company, for me, was a big deal. I know some of you may feel that is WEIRD! to have such a connection to a school/job, but I am a sentimental fool - "It's my one weakness!"

The new opportunity though has brought with it answers to some long waited prayers. I know that it is the right move for me right now. Some of the benefits are that I will be able to work from home thus being more accessible to my children and a bit of a pay increase, and who can argue with that. I will be working for the company SunGaurd Higher Education who is currently undergoing a merger with Datatel. In very basic terms my responsibility will be interpreting institution's catalog degree requirements and inputting them into the computer program so that students can pull up a check list of sorts that helps them see their progress. For those who attend WSU, they call it "CatTracks."  I love higher education and could not have asked for a better compromise of being home with my kids and still keep my foot in the door of the career field I love so much. Definitely a miracle from above.

As my time at WSU comes to an end I am feeling a little emotionally bipolar! So for those who interact with me in the next couple weeks - please be patient as I will most likely be a bit of an emotional mess. That said, be comforted, as I am, that it is the right path for me and any struggle will be met with faith, hope, and smiles all around.

my cool family fan

I think this is pretty cool. Last year many of you know that I spent a good chunk of time getting to know my ancestors by typing up their handwritten life stories. It really has sparked an interest in me to spiritually get to know them. I love thinking about their journeys, what they wish they had done or hadn't done, how at this time they know my mom and probably work with her on being a ministering angel in the next life. Really - it is a fun way to spend some meditation time. I am excited to feel them close as I learn about them.
Well - just yesterday a friend posted the following link on facebook:

Genealogy Fan Chart

It is amazing! It helped me see up to nine generations back in the blink of an eye! I highly recommend everyone do it; find out where your genealogy has holes & get to work... I think I want to do some hole filling this next year.  Here is my fan chart now... can't wait to see it start to fill up!

Rhett & His Kidney...

This past August was Rhetts birthday, and what a chain of events occurred. We decided, due to begging & pleading, to take the family to Lagoon for Rhett's birthday. Well as the night grew darker Rhett began complaining that his stomach was hurting. So of course I just kept telling him FART! I was sure he was just trying to be a considerate kid that with all the junk food he was eating his poor stomach was filled with gas.
Well, Sunday & Monday passed, but none of the "gas" passed. And he was sporrting a fever... So we had to make the journey to the doctor. Tuesday morning I said to Aaron as he was taking him to the doctors, "If we pay 25$ & they say it's gas I'm going to be so mad!!!" Then off to work I headed. Later that afternoon Aaron called me and said, "Well, it's not gas." I cried, "I take it back - go give them another 25$ and ask them to tell us it's just gas!" We were heading down to Primary Children's Hospital.
Now if this seems like dejavu... Yes, last year we brought Roman to Primarys for an Asthma attack. Good times, good times! Actually, many blessings came from that experience. And so it has been with Rhett.
After many, many, many, many test it appears that since birth, or right there after, Rhett's kidneys have not been functioning all that well, the left more so than the right. So, with much discussion with doctors & Heavenly Father the decision was made to remove the left kidney & monitor the right kidney as he grows. So here we are at Primary's waiting for him to come out of surgery. It's a little scary, but we have so many people who have blessed our lives, not to mention the loving care of the Holy Ghost that reassures us that the Lord knows us personally & has a plan for us that is extraordinary. So we follow in faith, knowing that what ever happens is the path that brings us closer to Him. Of coarse that means we keep the commandments, repent, forgive, & serve others. We are strong because of His love & the love of those around us. Rhett has become more & more closer to his Father in Heaven, as his earthly parents we are grateful!

Our future obviously will be filled with more kidney updates, but for now we are living every day grateful for each moment together & ready to give back to all those we come to know.

Kenidy's Baptism

On Friday June 3rd, Kenidy made the decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She was baptised and confirmed by her father and made her mother very proud and happy. She has always been a beautiful girl and you can see in her video how many people love and care for her. We are a blessed family to have her in our lives. I am excited to see what the next eight years will bring. Knowing Kenidy it will be filled with love, adventure, and LOTS of LAUGHTER!