Work in Progress

Well, our home is most definitely a work in progress. We are settling in nicely though. Here are a few pics of the moving day. I'll work on getting a few pics of where we are now. . . don't judge too harshly, we are in a move.

:o)

I, myself, am a work in progress as well. A very wise friend of a friend of a friend shared this with the friend of my friend, and my friend shared this with me (via her blog):

I Can Do Hard Things.
Life is hard. Sometimes it is harder than one can ever anticipate. Should we run? Should we hide from difficulty? No. We should stand up. Dig in. Make good choices. Press forward in faith. This is the purpose of our existence. We are not on vacation. We are in the middle of the test. We agreed to take it and we prepared diligently. Today is the day to prove true character and unfailing integrity. Should we choose otherwise, we risk stumbling through this life and leaving it without fulfilling our mission. And I believe we will find our purpose--our mission-- amidst the trials and heartache. So should we run? Well if we run, we will be lost.

What would happen if we ran from all our trials and problems? Would life be easier? Would life be less complicated? I have found that facing things head on, as difficult as it may be, is definitely better in the long run than postponing or suppressing. I wonder why, knowing this, it is still so hard for me to face things head on though?

Bill and I decided to take the kids on a week-long driving tour this summer. We have been so discombobulated and displaced with this moving fiasco this last year that we feel we need to reconnect with us, just us. B is 13 in 3 weeks, Z is 9 in 1 week and S is 7 in a few months. The days are flying by and before we know it they will be gone. I know that the small moments are often the most important growing up. We want a full week of "small moments" to create many happy memories. We are going to hit Silverwood, visit Ron in Missoula, stay in Yellowstone, stop by Mammoth and Lava Hot Springs, some sights in Boise and around to family in LaGrande for visits before heading home. Bill even came up with the idea of making memory log books for the boys to work on and use throughout the trip. Gotta love that guy. He can be all tough and stern, but my goodness, he has such a soft side for his family. Just gotta love him for that!! Here he is helping Z with his Pinewood Derby car. I LOVE the devotion he has for his family and am reminded often of why I love him so much!

I have amazing friends!

My last day at the bank was yesterday and my friends made this for me:

Did you see the frowny faces??

and Chy stopped by the bank (after a trip to the dentist no less) and brought me this ultra-yummy cinnamon roll:

How lucky and blessed am I to have friends who are so dear to me???!!!!

Thanks girls, I love you all!!

Hard to say goodbye!

Today was our last Sunday in the Dayton ward. It was fast Sunday so I wanted to bear my testimony and let everyone know just how much I love them and how much they all mean to me. They have been such a family to me and have strengthened me and supported me and kept me going in some really hard times, and celebrated with me in some very important times. I started crying during the second testimony and didn't have the ability to get up and talk. I guess it is a good thing as I didn't really want many people to know that it was our last week. I truly couldn't have made it through had my friends all come up to say "goodbye". It may be a weak and selfish way to leave, but I don't know that I could have done it any other way. It breaks my heart to leave the ward, but, I know they will carry on and will strengthen and support even more people who need it. I will carry on too, in a new ward, which I am looking forward to. It is a great and exciting experience to begin this new adventure. I'm comforted by knowing that regardless of which ward we are in that the gospel is true, wherever we are. I KNOW that we were supposed to be in Waitsburg, and in the Dayton ward, but now it is time for us to move along. Thank you Dayton for being my rock and my guide these last 6 1/2 years!
-Laura

Boys

My sis had her baby; another little boy. He is such a sweet little thing. Isn't he beautiful? Mom and baby are doing well and are healthy and happy. B was memserized by him. He must not remember too well when S was that little. S has informed me that it is time to have another little baby brother. I figure he just wants someone younger than him to wrestle with. :o)


Wrestling practice has started and occupies most of our week nights. It is such a great sport for the boys. They are active, having fun, and really enjoy being part of the team. We may be moving away from our team, but we can't seem to "leave". I have a feeling we will be part of our Mat Birds team for years to come. :o)

The nice thing about wrestling practice each night is at least the boys sleep solidly; they get really worn out . . . . they are determined to have their own rooms in the new house, but I just think somehow we will find them all piled up together like this each morning anyway.

Our House

I have held back on blogging about our new house because I've been a bit "gun-shy" about talking about it and/or planning on it. We have been burned a lot through this year in the purchase process and I didn't want to jinx this. Well, it sounds like it is going to the title company next week, so we should be signing next week, or the following. Hoo-rah! Home at last!! So, here is our new place. We welcome you all to come visit! (just call first). :o)
Yes, it is surprisingly void of landscaping, but fortunately I know of someone who dabbles in the art of tree and rock placement. . . .It will take some time, but we will make it ours. :o) So, come on down our lane and find us in the brown house. We can figuratively and literally call this Brown Town!

So Proud!

After 10 years, 480 classroom hours, over 12,000 application instructional hours and endless studying, learning and teaching, he did it!!

Bill is now an official Master Instructor for the State of Washington.
We are SO PROUD of his dedication, sacrifices and diligent hard work.
(Advanced Concepts of Motor Learning and Performance for Defensive Tactics Master Instructor). Not many people complete this accomplishment. It is definitely an honor well deserved! Good job, Honey!! We are so proud and love you so much!

Hope