I can't believe it!

Today I registered Paige for 6th grade.

I can't believe she is going to middle school already. Last week we talked and discussed all the elective options available to her. She chose Spanish, Visual arts, typing and Future Problem Solvers. I won't know if she gets all of her choices until July.

10 seems so young, but so old at the same time. She is growing quickly too. Seriously, she is up to my chin. I am glad she got into Franklin Academy because it makes this transition easier for me. But wow, she'll be grown before I know it, and that makes my heart hurt. But, for now, I enjoy every minute I have with her!

This and That

First things first, David is still out of work. But, I need to say that his being out of work was supposed to happen. It has been such a wonderful blessing for us and for other people as well. We haven't struggled the way I know so many people are who have lost work. He has worked on several side jobs, one of which was from a client he hasn't worked for in 8 years! My testimony grows when I see the Lord's hand in our life on a daily basis. Yes, we are living on unemployment of $480/ week but we have so much more that makes us happy. I don't know if I mentioned it on my blog before, but we received a bit of advice from David's sister a couple of years ago on how we could make it through the recession and always have food on the table (She received the counsel from her Stake President via an apostle).

1. go to the temple two times/ month
2. Pay a full tithe
3. Double your fast offerings

We have followed this counsel and have been so blessed because of it. There have been three families who have needed David's "handyman" abilities desperately and he wouldn't have been able to help had he still been working. That is why I believe David needed to be out of work at this time. I have also LOVED having him home to keep me company, to see movies with, to go out to lunch, and to run errands with. It's been a blessing, I tell ya!

We have been busy the past couple of weeks and I actually brought along my camera to a couple of them so I thought I'd share what we've been doing!

The kids tracked out March 7th and don't go back to school until April 4th. We went to watch Narnia at the $1.50 theater and made our track-out homage to Marbles when it was $2/ person.




This past weekend I took the kids up to MD because my sister was flying out from UT. I couldn't have her be on my side of the country and not visit her! I tried to keep them busy up there as well. I took them to Clara Barton's home and to Glen Echo Parkwhere they were able to work on their Junior Ranger handbooks. We went to DC to go to the zoo, but there was no parking to be found. So, we drove around showing the kids the sites and parked near the Jefferson Memorial. After a while, we left and went to a park in MD I grew up visiting, Cabin John Regional Park. Twice we visited the South Germantown Park, and went to their swim center on Saturday afternoon.





After the pool time, we went to visit my Grandmother in Bethesda. She lives alone and is always full of stories and laughs to share.



I missed so many times of having my camera around, especially to take a picture of my sister, her husband, or even my parents. I'm so lame! I do need to say my kids were AMAZING on this trip. To say I was apprehensive about taking them up there alone would have been a tremendous understatement. But it was fabulous. I would do it again. There, I said it. I could, and would do it again!!

Change

Today was our Stake Conference and there were certainly changes! Last week David was asked to be the Financial clerk for a NEW ward (Wake Forest 2nd) which was being created. So, when they announced him as being part of the Wake Forest 1st Ward, rather than Wake Forest 2nd, we were still sitting down looking around confused. But all is well and we are in the Wake Forest 1st ward where we were 7 years ago when we moved to the area. So if anyone from my ward saw that I was sitting and not sustaining my husband, it was unintentional! :)

I don't mind changes. It gives me a chance to grow, meet new people, and to serve in a different capacity. I am already realizing the amount of people I will no longer see on Sundays, during Relief Society activities and all my CTR 4 children I will no longer teach. I love those kids. After 2 years, they hold a special place in my heart. I'm sure it will take a couple of weeks to get acclamated, and that's okay. I know we are where the Lord wants us to be.

So, here's to a new adventure.

Ants have ears

Last night after FHE we had chocolate dipped icecream bars. Apparently some of the chocolate dripped onto the floor because when I went downstairs to lock up, there were tiny little ants walking along the baseboards. I got our liquid ant baits, cut the strip and placed it by the back door. This morning after breakfast Evan and Ethan were squatting down looking at all the ants and asking what that "thing" was next to them.

Me: I put that there to get rid of the ants.

Evan: How?

Me: They climb into that hole, take the liquid home, and then everyone eats it and dies.

Evan: Shouldn't you whisper so the ants can't hear you say that?

Me: HAHAHAHAHA! You are so cute. Do you think the ants understand me?

Evan: (head nod) Yeeesss??

Ethan: Evan, they don't speak human!

And it came to Pass

I've had a certain friend since 4th grade.

We dated in High School. His mom was my Mia Maid advisor and helped me when I was having a hard time with something. His dad just passed away from cancer. The tears did come when I read the news and had to pass it onto my in-laws. My father in law was their home teacher for years. I cried to think of his mom now being alone after 35 years with him.

While I know that it's sad when someone has to leave this life, I am mostly sad knowing their family is no longer with the one they love. I know that they will be together one day. This knowledge is what brings me peace.

This past month

I know I haven't written in a while. With David home all the time now and the kids having been tracked out, I wasn't on the computer much. Before David was laid off, we had made plans for over track out to go camping for a couple of days and to go the beach for a couple. Scattered through out all that, were going to be day trips of going to the zoo, going downtown, going to parks, etc. Well, all that changed. Since we have no idea how long he will be unemployed, we need to be extremely frugal with the money we have. I did a search on www.visitRaleigh.com and looked on the calender of events to find free, fun activities for the kids.

One Saturday we went to the RBC Center for the Caniac Festival. With about 20 different bounce houses, my kids had a blast.






We went camping the following Monday afternoon. (No pics. I forgot the camera) We swam in the lake went hiking, bike riding, played Uno, and ate Smores.

Thursday morning, we discovered if we got to the YMCA by 11:30, they would take the children to the tumble gym. That was a win/ win for me and the kids.

Saturday I found another free activity at the North Carolina Museum of History. They were celebrating Colonial Days with a free entrance to the George Washington exhibit. The kids loved all the activities there for them (writing with a quill pen, wheel of knowledge, colonial toys/ food, projects, dress up, movies, etc.) I loved the exhibit and look forward to a time when I'll be able to read all the info in a museum again. But, I know the pictures on the wall sure were pretty!




The next week we did crafts around the house, played with friends, baked, went to see the movie Cats vs. Dogs (so painfully dumb), and went to the NC Natural History Museum. My good friend Serena joined us for the fun.









Sand sculpture outside the museums on "Freedom Plaza."


This was out my kitchen window after days and days of rain. It was a double rainbow, but it didn't show up.



On a different note, we are continuously praying for David to find a job quickly. I am so grateful for our prophets council of having a year supply of food. It has already helped us. But currently, we are living more off of the three month supply. Thanks goodness I have two freezers full of food and canned goods to help us through. Both of us feel it may be for the long haul, so we are living accordingly.

The one where I'm stunned

Most of my friends know that David has lost his job. Last Thursday started like any other. I went to the gym, had a great workout, came home and did some weeding, noticed my neighbor hadn't left for work so I went over to see if she was okay. In the midst of our 40 minute conversation, there is a knock at her door. She is in her nightgown, her husband is sitting in the family room and tells me to answer the door. (I know, I thought that was weird, too!) But as I walk to the door, I see it's David.

Me:"What's wrong? Why are you home?

David: "I have a box full of my stuff in the car?"

me: "ooookkkkkaayyy? What does that mean?"

David: "I just got laid off"

Me: "Are you serious?" {HUGS} "Jennifer, I'm going home to cry now"

David and I walk home in stunned silence. Both of us wondering what the future holds. 3 people were laid off with him. In an office that used to have 80 people, they are now down to 24. I am a little surprised because he just had his review the week before and said they wished they could give him a 10% raise.

Thing is, I do feel spiritually prepared for this challenge. That night during my studies, I felt at peace. I've handed this over to the Lord, because there is no way whining, complaining or crying would get anything accomplished. This obviously isn't the ideal situation. I canceled everything we possible could i.e. Netflix, trash pick-up, karate, ancestry.com etc.

Here's the kicker. There is a reason I don't pray for certain things. Things like Patience and humility for example. But, I do like to take on spiritual challenges issued from the pulpit. It wasn't exactly a challenge, per se, but the speaker last week said, "The way to grow from a principle is to do it." Well, I took that to heart and that Wednesday night, I prayed to know of the power of fasting and to gain a stronger testimony of it. Well, the next day, David was laid off. Coincidence? I think not. David's comment (while smiling, of course.) "I thought you learned better than to pray for things like that!"

I understand this is happening to a lot of people right now. I know we did the best we could to prepare for this. But my mind is constantly going back to Proverbs 3: 5-6.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

We don't know what the future holds for our family. But I do know I can control my reaction to it. David is sitting next to me looking for jobs. He will be finishing up his MBA in a couple of months and ironically was working on his resume the night before he was let go. So, here's to the future and relying on the Lord!

Who knows, we may end up in a city near you!

Utah Vacation

We have been home from our trip for two months. Sad, I know, that I am just now getting around to posting some pics. David's sister was going to compile all the pictures and send them out. Since I haven't received them yet, my small amount will have to suffice.

We went out for the Fisher family reunion. Here's what we did:

ATV 5 mile Pass
Baby shower for Sister-in-Law Katrina
Legacy Center for swimming
BBQ at Fishers for friends and family
Liberty Park
Brother-in-law Richie shot a family movie where we each had parts
Games
Geo-Caching
bought Temple dress (FINALLY!)
Family History Night
Service Project of Helping David's sister, Tanya clean her house and move
Service Project of making school bags for church
Sweet's Candy factory tour
AMAZING RACE!! (Grandpa Fisher was in charge of it this year. So much fun!)
Kennecott mines
Thanksgiving Point
Cabela's

While I really have no desire to live or raise my children in Utah, I would move there tomorrow just to be near David's family. I love each of them so much and hate not having my children being able to grow up with their grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins. Without a doubt David was born into an amazing family filled with the best people I know. His mom has helped mold my life and I try to emulate her as much as possible. My goal is to have all of my children sealed in the temple like in his family. While she does admit to having easy kids, I see that this goal is possible! We have been trying to move out to Utah for years, let's hope that when David finishes his MBA, if we can't stay in NC, we'll get a job out there to be by his family. I miss them so much it literally hurts sometimes! Well, on to the pictures! Enjoy!

Katrina's baby shower (Paige and Rylee opted out of the shower because, in Rylee's words, "I'm to young to die from boredom!"
David's sister Jennifer loves formal tea parties. She threw the shower.

All the grandchildren outside of Cabela's. Another grandchild was born yesterday!

Grandma Fisher and Evan admiring the animals in Cabela's

Paige at Thanksgiving Point

Our normal family pic shot at Thanksgiving Point


I have no idea what I'm doing here.

This is just one of the tires for the big dump trucks that drive on the roads below. Each of these tires cost $25K!

Kennecott mines. Each of those ledges are actually a road.

This years movie was on Nursery Rhymns. Ethan was Aladdin! See his red hat?

David's younger sister, Carolyn and her middle child, Jonathan.

Paige holding Cordelia, Carolyn and Richie's youngest child.

Alex~Carolyn's oldest.
Nathaniel and Jeff (David's brother-in-law and nephew)

Celebrating Father's Day with Richie, David, and Grandpa Fisher. David's holding Cordelia

ATVing!!!!


These views were amazing. Next time, though, I'll wear a sports bra. They don't call it the Rockies for nothing!

Thoughtful, isn't he?

Usually at night when Evan has to use the bathroom, he starts to cry. This time he didn't. I went to check on the kids before I went to sleep, and this is what I found.



I do give him credit, though. At least he stood up and got out of bed before he peed.

First day of School ~ 3 weeks ago

On July 9th my children started their school year. All 4 of them are at the same school. 5th grade, 3 grade, 1st grade, and Kindergarten. I know I'm late with the pictures, but I have been adjusting to this freedom I have from 8:30am- 4pm each day. But, for the record, I love year-round school (and all day kindergarten)! They come home and we can still go to the pool!



On the way to the bus stop.