ChAnGe

I have meant to do this post for a long, long time... Life is busy and some days I feel like I don't have one spare minute!
Boy this past year we have had so many changes!
One year ago, we signed the papers to sell our home in Richmond- it was a diffucult couple of months, we signed papers the end of Febuary and were to be out the 1st of April, but the bank took forever, so we didn't move out until May. We moved everything into our neighbors house that was for sale, waited for the girls to finish school. We moved to Rigby on June 19th- it was one sad day! I still miss Richmond, my good neighbors, the school, and just the area!
It was a hard summer for the girls, they missed their friends so much, and once school started it was hard... The girls now had to wake up EARLY to catch the bus- they still do not like riding the bus. They both go to big schools, this has been a real struggle from out little school in Richmond. Hallee has made friends, but Blyss has struggled making friends- which she loves having friends and she has just struggled.

Another change for us is we moved closer to family! We have had to readjust on what we can do with family and what not. I was so scared to move for this reason- my little family is so important to me and I didn't want to be so busy and pressured by family and doing what they were doing.

In November we went through the stress of buying Zak a new car, we absolutley HATE car shopping. Only six weeks later Zak got in a car accident and totaled his car, just a few days before Chirstmas. We went through the stress of dealing with the insurance.... which lead to a blessing. It took the insurance company 6 weeks to pay the car off, in the meantime we didn't want to buy another car, until we knew how much the insurance was going to pay, so we knew how much we could spend again on a car. So during this time Zak had to rent a car, which is crazy expensive. But the end of January Farm Bureau offered Zak a job. Zak was like that is awesome they thought of me, but I'm happy with my job... then he left for 10 days, and during that 10 days he realized maybe his job wasn't so awesome and realized he spent alot of time away from his family. In January he was gone 21 days and February was no better. Zak decided he better turn in his resume to Farm Bureau and set up an official interview, then we learned so many people turned in applicatations for it and Zak worried he ruined his chance for not being totally interested at first, because after some thought we were super interested in it... he would be home most nights, they would give him a pickup to drive(that would be awesome- then we wouldn't have to buy another car- or worry about selling one, if we had one), he could work on the farm more, and of course still be involved in ag. So we stressed for a couple of weeks, and they came back and offered him a job!!! On that same day a couple of hours later we got a call from the insurance company, saying they sent a check to the bank to pay off the loan- all of it- we didn't owe a thing. For us that was a sign, we had been so stressed about getting the money, but if we had got it any sooner, we would have gone out and bought another car, then we would have been stuck with a new car, that we wouldn't be able to sell or need since Farm Bureau gives you a vehicle to drive.

So Zak took a new job, huge change for both of us! Zak had been gone so much for the past 5 years, I had my own routine, way I did things, my TV shows I like to watch before bed. We had to relearn each other and share the TV. It has been a good change though, the girls love having their Dad home and I LOVE having him home, it is so nice to be a family. This started with one hard change-  moving to Idaho.... and everything else has fallen into place, eventhough at times I have been so frustrated with change and things that have happened, but our Heavenly Father knows whats best for us and we just need to be patient to see the outcome and have the faith that everything will work out.

And then... I was finally getting comfortable in our ward from moving and in April they split our ward, added some new into our ward, moved buildings, and put me in the Nursery(my 4th time)so here we go with another big change!

Clogging Recital 2014

What a fun weekend we had. On friday night my whole entire family came to my parents- to be here to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday! So we went to my parents and had dinner, to visit, and the kids played and played. On Saturday was my grandma's party (which I will update on too, soon). Then Saturday evening was our dance recital with InStep Clogging. We love our clogging! Blyss danced to Splish, Splash- so this is a picture of her outfit- she didn't have on her little lace leggings though- they are too itchy and don't put them on until right before she goes on stage. Blyss' other song is I wanna be a Princess. Blyss also did her 3 solos and was in the closing number. Since I was backstage this year I was in charge of Blyss group change, line up, keep them quiet and it was fun, but also a big job, when changing I was surrounded by little girls, saying can you do this, can you do this.... I had to take a deep breathe from not going crazy.... but I got them all changed and ready before I had to go perform!

Hallee danced to Itty Bitty and Ice Cream Freeze. She also did her 5 solos and the closing number. Hallee is getting pretty good and loving clogging. My mom asked her if she was going to do it next year and she replied yes, which surprised me since her usual answer is no, but I've always made her do it to have something for a talent.

My first year clogging!! I danced to Walk Away and Perfect Day. I was also in the closing number. I really have enjoyed clogging- it is one amazing workout!!!! I am dripping with sweat by the time our class is over. You are never to old to learn something new.

Look att those 3 cloggers!

We made it through! What a crazy fun night it was. I felt like we all did such a great job. We had lots of people come watch us, grandparents, my brother's wives, and their kids.

SicAly'S BirThDaY

Time definatley goes by to fast! My baby turned 4 on March 15th! Sicaly was so excited for her birthday. She loved being the center of attention. All her grandma's, grandpa's, great grandma's, and great grandpa came. Plus a couple of aunts and an uncle.

She was so excited to get her doll that looks like her. She loves this doll, she loves to change her clothes and play with her. Sicaly named her doll Ruby, which is Sicaly's middle name.

Scialy with all her goods!

No birthday cake for this girl- she wanted a carmel apple cake, so that is what I made her. We had her favorite food- Pizza and then carmel apples and it was delicious.

Happy Birthday sweet pea! After her little party she went to our neighbor boys birthday party and then after that a farm bureau party. 3 parties in one day- lucky girl.

Sicaly is a good girl, she has been my hardest so far, she is very independant when she wants to be and definatley has a mind of her own, she is stubborn! She can play hours by herself and is so happy when her sisters get home. Sicaly loves to dance, she wants music on every day so she can dance around and sing. Sicaly is growing like a weed and I can't believe how big she is getting. Sicaly wants to be grown up so much. One day on our way home from preschool she told me she is about as big as me and will be able to drive soon. I asked her where she will drive to and her response was," To preschool, to grandma's, and to Salt Lake." I laughed a little and at that time we were driving by the High School, and told her when she is big enough she won't be in preschool anymore but High School and pointed it to her, then she responded, "Then I will drive to High School, Grandma's, and Salt Lake." I thought it was pretty cute- she is very excited to drive soon, she talks about it alot!

After her birthday she wanted her hair cut, so I cut off a few inches! Her hair was so long.

Here she is with her new haircut!

Clogging Competition

Last Friday we competed in Pocatello for clogging. Blyss was first in the Novice category. She did her 3 solos first, which are each 30 seconds long. She placed 1st in all of her solos.

Next Blyss had her 2 team dances. This one is splish splash, I love their costumes for this dance. They've got a big loofa on their heads!

This dance took Grand Champion in their division! Way to go Blyss.

Blyss' 2nd dance, I Wanna Be a Princess took 1st place. So Blyss will be competing all of her dances in Lagoon. So Blyss' teacher is a 13 year old girl, and she does a great job with these girls, which I was worried at first because she is so young.

Next up was the Beginning Level which is Hallee's division. Both of their team dances took 2nd places, but are still able to compete at Lagoon. They did Ice Cream Freeze and Itty Bitty. This was the best I have seen them perform, they did such a good job. They were just off on a few steps, which is bound to happen with that many girls!

Hallee learned 5 solos, she got 2- 1st places and 3- 2nd places. So she will be competing in all her solos at Lagoon for nationals.

Netxt up in the Adult Intermediate level was my team. Our 1st dance we were so all nervous and messed up at different times. Which is so frustrating because I was doing so good but my mind went blank for a few seconds and messed up a few steps, but I was able to recover! Our 2nd dance we all did so good, just that we were all exhausted by the end we ran out of enthusasim and energy- but we finished awesome. Both of our dances received 1 st place! So we will be competing at Lagoon too!

I have not done anything like this in years and it feels good to be able to accomplish something like this. I hate being in front of people it is one of my greatest fears. So I have to give myself a pat on the back for stepping out of my comfort level. I have a great time at clogging!

 

Cousin Time

A few weeks back my brother Ty and his family came up to my parents. It was Valentine's Day so we all had pizza together and the kids played. The next day we went back over to help my Dad with a steer who was still back on the river trying to bring him home. After a couple hours we gave up,we were exhausted from running in the deep snow with no luck. The kids played and watched a movie. Later in the afternoon we headed up to my inlaws to show my mom and my sister in law, Erica, their new home.

As we were leaving Blyss and Vanna climbed up on this pile of dirt covered in snow, Vanna jumped off and went waist deep in the snow, it was so funny!

No pictures of when we went and celebrated Zak's moms 60th birthday. But the kids played so hard this is Sicaly on our way home, completly pooped out!

My cousins threw a baby shower for her daughter and it was such a nice day all the kids went out and swung on the swing and listened to Let it Go from Frozen. My girls loved hanging out with the bigger girls!

Science Fair

The Science Fair! I remember doing that along time ago. But now we have the Internet and so many fun ideas. Hallee and I sat down at the computer scrolling through ideas, figuring out what we could do, her and I, since Zak was gone most of January and Feburary. Hallee saw this Gummi Bear project and decided it would be perfect for her. Hallee loves her sweets! So we ran through the project a couple of times to figure it out. We put a gummi bear in water, salt water, sugar water, and vinegar to see what happened to the gummi bear. It was fun and interesting- I would never have thought of that! My parents and I went to her school to check out the science fair and it was fun, there was lots of cool experiments and fun to see the kids be so excited about something. Hallee got a 100% on her science project!

Blyss' 7th BiRtHdAy!

Blyss' birthday could not come fast enough this year! As soon as Christmas was over she started counting down for her birthday. She only wanted 1 thing for her birthday- something she wanted for Christmas and did not get. An American Girl- who looked liked her. I searched everywhere for a knock off, I tried on ebay for months, I did not want to spend that much money on a doll! But we finally caved in and decided to spend the money, since she talked and talked about it everyday and wanted it so much. Blyss was so, so excited for her birthday and once I wrapped her presents it was killer for her to have wait 2 more days to open them. Zak was gone for her birthday which was a huge bummer for him, since he knew how excited she would be. But after school my parents came and my grandma, then Zak's mom and his 2 grandma's came for our little party.

Blyss was so happy she got her look alike American Girl Doll- Red hair, light skin, green eyes, and freckles! She has named her Lily. That is Blyss' middle name.

She also got some clothes and accessories for her doll and also a birthstone necklace.

Blyss is not a fan of cake, so she decided on a donut cake! Earlier in the day I took donuts for her whole school class!

She loved her donut cake! Happy 7th Birthday Blyss!

Then that night the girls and I went out and celebrated with Pizza.

Blyss is a good girl. She is a pleaser- more at school then home. Her teacher always refers to her as the count on kid, she is always on task and does what her teacher asks her to do. She is doing so well in school. She loves gymnastics- she loves flipping around and doing the splits. She is also in clogging- she is just a coordintaed kid, so she is a good little dancer! She is a good sister, she loves playing with both her sisters- and does what they like to play.  She is a good helper, she can tell when I'm frustrated and will step in and help me- I'm so glad she can see that and willing to help! She loves singing- right now the Frozen music and the Sound of Music. She is enjoying her doll Lily, dressing her and taking care of her.

We sure love having Blyss in our family!