Changes, Challenges, and California!

Happy Holidays to my sweet Family and Friends!

I have quite the updating to do today, It has been a year since my last post! WOW

Last November we were living at my moms, desperately searching for jobs. Praying and trying to understand the right path for our family. So where did this lead us? Yes its true, our path has taken us to Sunny California!
I considered moving out of state several times but never did I think it would actually happen. And the entire move was grueling and I felt as Enos, Wrestling before the Lord. In the sense that I felt this was the right path but I did not want to do it. I found myself fighting myself on this decision and struggling with every action lead up to the move.  Sometimes when we feel something is right we will have opposition to try and stop us from following what we know to be true. This was a very real experience for us. A week before we moved our Durangos transmission gave out. My husband was already living in california and I was pretty depressed. Some people would take that as a "Sign" not to move. Around that sametime I had the oppertunity to possibly have  my job back and help to support my family in utah, (again some might take this as a sign).
But what did we do? after much personal fighting ... we PUSHED FORWARD!
I cannot begin to tell you how important it is to just keep pushing forward. Always work to improve your life and situation.

We moved on time despite having one car that only half of us could fit in(we did a lot of walking). A few of us flew some of us drove and a couple of my kids came out with grandma and grandpa.  A bit crazy and seemed at time ridiculous, but it was what we needed to do to make it happen.  We have now lived in California for going on 6 months. I love it here. It is beautiful and I feel at home. It took awhile to get to that point though. The first few trips back to Utah were difficult. Now I can go and enjoy my stay and at the end be excited to come home to our home in California.

Brians Job is going well. It is a decent job. Difficult at times (full commission situation)  but a blessing in so many other ways. I think about going back to work often. I am not sure when that will happen, could be a year from now or could be 5 years from now when im done with school. For now we are enjoying the experience.
I started going to school through the BYU Idaho Pathways program. I LOVE this program. What an inspired institute this is. I have already learned quite a bit from my classes and am excited to venture down this path of education and preparation for my life and my family.

Since living in California, NO we have not been to Disneyland (its a 6 hr drive but is on our to do soon list) , YES we have been to a Giants game (WOOHOO best date so far) , YES we have enjoyed San Fransisco. YES we have been to the mountains, Beaches, and seen a few redwood trees.  We have enjoyed family trips to Santa Cruz, Jelly Belly Factory, Pumpkin Patches and many other places. For living here only 6 months we have explored a lot. We have strived to help the kids to feel at home.
Schools are a lot different here. The policys are different and I had never before heard of "Independent study" until we moved here. The Program for our oldest son who is hearing impaired is a bit different out here, only time will tell if its a right fit for us, but I have to say I know there is a program for him or we would not have been prompted to move, The Lord does look out for every aspect of your family and your familys needs.
I know that over time each of our kids will find their place here and adjust as they did before.

The HOlidays are now upon us and I am thrilled to get to my Holiday baking! I have failed epically at being Vegan, although I plan and try daily to incorporate more vegan eating in my daily habits. I do however SUCK at baking when I am not eating what Im making. This has been my biggest drawback to that life style.

Be sure to check my recipes portion of my blog for the latest Holiday treats!
 I hope you all have a Wonderful Holiday Season!
~ Sherrie 
  

Family, School and a Broken nose

Life sometimes throws you some real curve balls.  I have to say though that I am grateful for these experiences. I truly do believe that this is what makes you who you are.  Not the challenges themselves but the caricature that these challenges shapes you into.

I have been a stay at home mom for 2 years now. I love being home with my children and could not imagine it any other way.  Over the past 3 months as we have lived with my parents, I have however had a hard time transitioning and finding joy in being home. I am happy to report that after many prayers, different trials and experiences. I feel I have now found that joy again. Just look at my posts and you will see I am cooking/baking again so i MUST be happy. After all that is my joying passion.

Being a mom is so very rewarding and challenging. We moved all of our kids to a new school this year which has been harder on them then I had expected. They still struggle to make good friends and find their place here. I am sure that part of this is due to the fact that we wont be staying. They all know we plan to move next year and I fear this has caused them to try to not get attached to anything. Including new friends and a new school. Their first report cards came out and I was saddened to see that each of them are struggling overall. For the first term ever my oldest did not hit a straight A report card. This being Very difficult on her we are now looking at a little more structure to our daily routines to help her get back in her groove as well.   While this has all been very difficult for us I feel that this is one of those experiences I was referring to above. You know the ones that shape you into who you are. Make up your caricature, your person.  Although it is hard I know that this will be a good thing for my entire family and especially the kids.

Another example of challenges that shape us into who we are would be my own personal example of this past weekend.  Have you ever had something you knew you wanted to change, or replace? Put it off because of money or time? I have a long list of these type things and a lesson I hope you learn from instead of having to learn on your own.  We have those safety baby gates that are great in keeping the kids from falling down the stairs or going into rooms that are not ok for them to be in.  I always place one of theses at the top of the stairs and try to keep it up all of the time so we don't accidentally forget to put it up and have the baby fall down the stairs (yes this did happen once already ugh)  But climbing over the stupid gate at the top of the stairs can be very challenging. a couple of people here have tripped or fallen as they have tried to climb over it. (All without hurting themselves thankfully)  This is the reason I have always wanted to buy a swinging gate. They look nicer, they are easier to get around. No climbing over just open and close like a mini door,  LOVE IT. But they are kinda pricey so I have put this off, well forever really. Until this last Saturday that is.  Only for me I had to take a total face dive into the hardwood floor for me to make this choice. Ha! what fun that was. I had just taken the baby downstairs to change him and get him ready to go for the day. I am coming up the stairs and at the top of the stairs in the gate. I swing one leg over and then the other and before I know it I have tripped, my leg dragging the gate down, I have no balance and the gate is tripping me. Unable to catch myself. Holding my little 11 month old in my arms and trying desperately to just get one leg under myself and save the baby from hitting the ground I took what seemed like 10 steps before I hit the ground NOSE first.  Still holding the baby and turning as much as I could to the side in that 3 seconds where this all took place. I hit hard. My baby Conner did hit is head as it swung just a little but I did succeed in holding him and off the ground so he didn't get hurt.  Not so much luck on my end. I couldn't see for sure if he was ok, I had hit my nose to the ground followed by my right side, and immediately my eyes were filled with blood. Unable to see and check on my baby I FREAKEDOUT! Totally. No calmness to my manner of person and I scram for help. My sister was quickly there to take the baby and check him all the while I couldn't see and had no idea what had happened to my face. Shortly after my husband was right there to help me and clean me up.  LUCKY for me all I did was break my nose. In the process it cut open somehow and that's the cause of the bloody eyes and face.   
Great way to start a weekend?  Yes It was!  =) 
The emergency room was our first stop that day followed by Babies R Us to purchase a "Swinging" Babygate. (oh and costco in-between to get some lunch)

Adventures and caricature shaping indeed.  These moments are the ones that teach us what is important and SAFETY is certainly one of those. While all that happened this time was some PANIC and a broken nose, it could have been much worse. and I am grateful everyday that it wasn't.  I have not stopped thinking about this since it happened.  Granted the throbbing nose doesn't really let me forget. haha

After this past weekend I feel I was given a new perspective. One that helped me to find the JOY in my life and my children. 
I am so grateful for my life experiences and for those around me that love and support me and my family. Its so grate to have family who comes when I call and say I need them with no questions asked, who help me with the kids and even laundry when I am sick,  and friends who will just listen and understand no matter how dramatic I can be.
Thanks Guys