End of summer recap

How about we try this blog thing again, huh? Since my last post, things got even crazier. A few weeks after my last post, we moved into Matt's parents house. That was quite the blessing actually. The day we moved, my step-brothers step-brother passed away. Then the day after we moved my brother in law passed away. It was heartbreaking. James was like my big brother. He first came into the family when I was just 5-6 years old. James suffered from Bipolar Disorder, and ended his own life after a long, hard fought battle. It was such a miracle we were where we were when it happened. Matt's parents kind of took over our kids for us, the whole week, since we had viewings and funerals for two people. Then the rest of the summer was also a trial. My family had several hardships this summer, many that required a lot of attention and help. Again, Matt's parents and sister stepped up. They are just amazing! The end of the summer finally started to look up for us. My family's trials were starting to calm down. And we found a house.
Matt and I bought our first home in September, and are loving it! Though we had issues there as well. On our move-in day we found a huge leak in the basement. We couldn't do any laundry, bathe, shower, and use the bathrooms upstairs for a whole week. We didn't like the homeowner thing so much at first. ;) Now things are falling into place, my brother was able to fix the leak for us, and it was very easy too. We are starting to paint, and we are getting our new furniture in two weeks! If anyone wants to come play with us, please do! We would love it!
Anyway, here is a bit about our family:

Lila- is 2, potty training, a she is the most stubborn and narcissistic person I know. Some days I swear she will be the death of me. Other days, she is the biggest sweetheart in the world. She keeps us on our toes. She loves babies, barbies, and batman. And she adores her brother. She will follow him anywhere, but lecturing him like a mother along the way, 'Luke, wash your hands.' ' Turn off the light' 'share'. She is a little mommy.

Lucas- just turned 5!! Can you believe it? I can't! He is enjoying preschool, but is really looking forward to Kindergarten. He is Mr. Smartie Pants. He has taught himself to read, and is trying to teach himself spanish and french (what 5 year old does that?). He is just a kind hearted kid, always wants to follow the rules and doesn't like when kids are mean to other kids. He broke his first bone on his birthday this week, his pinky toe. But, he is tough, and has been doing pretty well with it. But you should see the bruise. Its nasty!

Matt- likes his job. But has the potential to get another job, at a place that would be ideal for Matt. Keep your fingers crossed for him! He is loving not having any school and homework. He is enjoying our new house, though not loving his commute. Matt is great at his job, he has some patients who really praise him, and will tell the other SLP that they won't work for them, and that they want Matt. He enjoys what he does and the people he meets. He enjoys our new ward, and already has a calling, and likes getting to know the people. He has been able to play tennis with his buddy a few times since we moved, which always makes him happy.

Me- I am loving life right now. We are in our own house, my husband is no longer is school (which means no more school loans- yippee!), my kids are at such fun ages, and I am lucky enough to be able to stay home with them!! I am currently doing online classes at the U, and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I think I am leaning towards becoming a doula. I have toyed with the idea since before I was pregnant with Lila. But, the last two years have been so crazy I haven't given enough thought to it. Now, I really am trying to think and pray about it, and about whats best for my family. I just wish I could attend someones birth without being a doula first, to see for sure if that's what I want to do. Really though, I don't have a lot to complain about, life is good right now!

Lessons Learned

You know how sometimes you don't want to blog because you think, "there is absolutely nothing going on"? Well, for me, it has been just the opposite. I feel like our world right now is spinning and I can't get a hold of anything. I am not saying that things are going badly, in fact, I am quite blessed, and I love my life, but I don't have any control right now. And I am finding as I get older, that I am very much of a control freak. So, I am very much out of my element here.

Matt graduated in May (WAHOO!!) with his Masters in Speech and Language Pathology. We were so looking forward to it. We have done the whole 'school scene' for way too long, and have been ready to be done for a LONG time. Anyway, with Matt's profession, we knew it was going to be much harder to get a job here in Utah by our families, but we were hopeful. We applied to other states of course, but really pushed for Utah. Matt was so blessed and got a job offer before he graduated. Unfortunately this offer was not what Matt wanted, and didn't feel right, so he declined it, and pushed for another one. After being turned down the one, the first place called Matt and within 20 minutes of being turned down for the other job, Matt had received his second offer from this company. On the same day? Minutes after being so disappointed? Coincidence, I think not. So, we took it. Everything was looking great. We were looking for a place to live, and preparing to enter the 'real' work world. Matt had to get his license all lined up and taken care of, what a disaster. Since Matt got a job so fast, he didn't have his diploma yet. The licensing department of Utah was insistent on a diploma, and didn't know if a letter would suffice. After much prayer, and stress, and Matt running all over Salt Lake (from the school, to the department, to his new job, to his 2 internships) he finally got it all taken care of. We found a great place in Harrisville (North Ogden), it was cheap, and big! We moved in, and spent an entire week as a family just relaxing with each before Matt started his new job. Then the stress came again.

 After Matt's fourth day of work, we find out that he might not have a job. You see, Matt works for a rehab company that has contracts with facilities to do rehab there. They had this contract with the facility, but a new company bought the facility and wasn't going to honor the contract. So the entire rehab team was out. Matt's company has been great, they found another job right away (and I mean like, within a week, the only problem was it is in Utah county. Remember we just moved into this place. Luckily we didn't feel it was time to buy, and was just renting, the bad news, we had just signed a 12 month lease, and had only lived there for less than two weeks. But Matt's company stepped up, and they paid the buy-out for us. So, we again began the search for a new place to live- that is definitely NOT my favorite thing to do. After many, many, many failures and many night of me crying (yes I am that emotional, always) we decided that it is time to buy a house. So, since we haven't had any time (it has been a month since Matt started his job), we are now preparing to move into Matt's parents house while we look for a house.

Can I just say how much I HATE packing! It is even worse when it is done less than a month after you just unpacked, everything. I had just unpacked the last box the night before we found out. I was ticked, still am. :) As we have been looking for a place to live, and packing, Matt has already started working in Orem, so he has been staying with his parents during the week, while the kids and I are at home packing. Boy do we miss him. I am not one of those girls who need their man by them all the time, but I want him there! I miss him all week, and the kids miss him like crazy!! It has been kind of rough on us all. But only one more week. Then we start the fun of finding a house. I know that that can be so stressful as well, but I am so excited because it means we are that much closer to being 'settled.' Right now I feel like we don't have a place to call home, I feel like we are a family who doesn't live together (oh wait, we are that family), and I feel like we are just floating along. My emotions have got the better of me. I knew that the 'real' work world would come, with lay-offs, and relocations, and possibly losing your home; but I did not expect these things to come four days into the real world.

I don't mean to sound so negative. I am actually quite happy with things. I mean, we are getting to move closer to family, and Matt's new facility is exactly what he wants to do, whereas the other place, well, we will just say it wasn't what he wanted. And really we were so pleased to get a job so fast, right out of school, and and Matt was able to keep his job. A few on the rehab team were out of jobs after everything happened, and we were not anly able to keep a job, but get a better one from it. We are also blessed in the fact that we have such amazing families, who are so willing to open their arms and doors and let us in. We are so blessed. And it is through these tender mercies that I am reminded that my Father in Heaven is watching over my family, and he is does have a plan for us. I keep saying to myself, I have no control of my life, I have no plan, and no direction right now. And I have been reminded through this, that it is a great thing to lose control of your life, because that means the Lord has control of it, and you will end up where he wants you to be. I am dreading packing and moving again (that would make the third time in a year), and then moving another time when we find a house, but I can't wait to see where the Lord takes us. And I am excited for this journey, as I know my Savior is going along the journey with me.

Year in review

Alright, this last year was a big one for us, for here is a quick review:

Last January was miserable. Between the two kids we were at the doctors at least every other week, for about 3 months. Awful

February we celebrated our 5th anniversary! Kids were still sick, especially Lila.

March Heavenly Father answered my prayers, as I was really struggling with two kids.

April was great. Lucas was sleeping better and Lila's ear infections were not as often. And she had tubes put in at the end of the month - what a difference! Under that screaming was actually a very happy girl! We were lovin' life.

Matt turned 27 in May, Lila turned the big O-N-E! And again Heavenly Father was teaching me a valuable lesson, one I will never forget.

In June we made our big move after four years in student housing. And I celebrated my 24th birthday. My siblings and (most of our) spouses participated in the "Dirty Dash". It was a blast!

July was fun. Lila finally learned to walk, only took her 14 months to do so. :) The kids really enjoyed their new place.

August- after 6 years, I decided it was time to go back to school. I have been wanting to for a long time, in fact I have enrolled several times, but something always came up and I felt Heavenly Father wanted me to wait. But, I finally did it. First semester was interesting, rough doing school stuff with kids and a dying computer, but it was good. I am glad I am back in. MAtt started his second to last semester. WOOHOO!! He still enjoyed school, but was ready to get out in the realy world.

In September, after growing concerns of Lila's weight and new information of relatives who have celiac disease, we decided to have her tested. Tests came back great - she is healthy, though suffers from "Failure to Thrive". But at this point she is steadily growing, still not on the charts, but is growing. Lucas started Preschool, and hasn't stopped talking about it since.

We had a bast Trick or Treating in October. Lucas and Lila are definitly fans of getting candy from anyone and everyone they meet.

November was Lucas' 4th birthday! He is SO old. I feel SO old! Thanksgiving was a great time for us.

December was great, is was stressful with finals, and kids and the holidays. But worth it all. Pictures are coming soon of our Christmas! :) And I am borrowing a computer which means I have easier access to the blog, and homework. I am thrilled!

I hope everyone had a great year too. And we look forward this year, as it will be a big one for our family. Matt will be graduating in May, which means a move, possibly out of state, which also means a job! Yippee!!

Took too long of a break

I am back, at least for today. I hate when people ask if I have a blog, I do, but I never get to actually make a post, very disappointing. Reasons include; a computer that is slowly dying, a little more everyday (it was perfect until we moved, and I think someone dropped it. It will be gone in 2-3 months, I guarantee it), school (my first semester back to school in about 6 years. Tough being back in school with a dying computer and two kids – very little time for homework), and kids (I have my two kids, and then I babysit my sisters kids for a couple hours every day while she works. Four kids, two 4-year olds and two 18 month olds equal chaos!). Anyway, I have been meaning to post since about July, so here goes.

First off, the move: Wow, it was has been kind of wild. The first 1-2 months were pretty rough. The kids fought non-stop, and I mean non-stop. We all missed our friends and neighbors. Now things are going great. The kids are playing so well together. I think they are really going to miss each other when we do move away.

Second, Lucas started preschool, like a real preschool. We have done a couple with neighbors, but this is different. He goes twice a week, and LOVES it!! This picture shows a glimpse of how excited he was on his first day!

Halloween: Lucas was Thomas the Train. Lila was a devil, for those who know her, this is no surprise. Not because she is naughty (though she is throwing major tantrums now) but Lila can give looks that will kill you. Really, she looks like she is putting a curse on you. It is intense.

Lucas turned 4! He is so big! He wanted a TRON party, it was pretty fun. The cake, we will just say it did not look pretty. The kids got finger lights, and glow sticks and we played in the dark, too fun. He loved having all of his family and friends together for his special day!

The first snow storm, well, we were much unprepared! Check out Lucas’ little outfit. Yes those are plastic bags in his shoes to keep him dry, it didn’t work. We had my other sister over that day, so Lucas had a ton of cousins to play with outside.

Thanksgiving was a wonderful time with family – we really couldn’t be more grateful for everything we have. Matt was able to play basketball and ping pong with his cousins and brothers, which for him means a great day!

We decorated the Christmas tree, and decorated Lucas. The kids got to eat cookies and see Santa dance a little bit. That was fun for the kids.

The family went to the little Ogden Christmas Village, it was so cute. We saw Santa there too. Lucas loved him, Lila hated him, but she hates everyone.

Here is a little information of Lucas Matthew: He is becoming such a boy now, he is into everything boyish- cars, trucks, super heroes, and you name it, except sports. Matt still has some work to do there. He is 32 pounds. Lucas loves everyone! He gets so excited to see people. Lucas is started to really think about things. He asks very deep questions sometimes. Two days ago he asked me where Grandma Jeanie is. He has never met her, my mother died when I was two years old, but he knows her pictures and her name. I explained to him she died, and he asked ‘where is she then?’ So we had a long talk about angels and Heavenly Father’s missionaries on the other side. He was full of questions about it. I don’t know what he really understood, but I think he was trying to. He is just such a sweet heart.

Lila Claire is now 18 months. She is in nursery, and hates it, again no surprise. She is still too small, and is still not on the charts, but she is slowly gaining weight. After discovering family members who have celiac disease, we decided to have her tested, finally. Our prayers were answered, and she was ‘declared’ healthy, though suffering with failure to thrive. She is 18 pounds. She is a huge thumb sucker and depends on her ‘blankie.’ I am gearing up to break both habits after Christmas, wish me luck, I will need it. Lila can be the most difficult, high strung girl, with fierce tantrums, than she can be the sweetest thing who just wants to cuddle with you and her blanket. She loves to sleep (thank heavens!) and when she is tired you will often find her like this:

I am thankful everyday for the blessings our Father in Heaven has given me. I have an amazing husband, who treats me so well. I have two beautiful children, who literally give meaning to my life. I love being a mother. It is the hardest thing I believe I will ever do, but I wouldn’t change it. Though life has taken us down paths that Matt and I never imagined we would be traveling down, I am so grateful. I know Heavenly Father has plan for each of us, and it may be hard, but it is definitely possible as long as you let our Savior and our Father in Heaven in. We are very excited for this time of year. Lucas is at an age where he understands Santa, but he also understands Jesus’ birth. I am excited to continue to teach him more about our King.

I know this is forever long, but it needed to be posted. I am going to work on better time management so I can keep this blog up to date.

Fun with the kids!

Fun at our new house!!

Lucas loves riding his bike on the back patio.

Lila loves walking on the back patio. She is now a walking machine!!! Only a little late. ;) She had just woken up from her nap, so her hair is crazy, but it was super cute that day - in pig tails! I love dressing up my girl!

Yep, he is wearing a helmet. After the whole concussion thing, (since we can't keep the kids off the rocks) they now have to wear helmets on the rocks. Looks goofy, but its safer. I especially love his outfit this day. He picked out his own clothes. And after riding his bike into some rose bushes, and getting scratched up on his legs, he decided he needed knee-high socks. So the socks, the helmet, and the mix-matched clothes, he looks awesome.

There is a fun Pirate ship in the back that the kids love to play on. It has a steering wheel and a little slide. It is So cute. The kids love to play on, including Lila. She LOVES it! I think she feels like such a big kid on it. She loves to 'drive' the ship, its so cute. This is Lucas on top, he was yelling "Arrrgh Mateys!!" Too cute!

The Worlds Smallest Pirate! Isn't she cute?

Our big move

A couple of months ago Matt and I had to make a big decision for our little family. It wasn't easy. After living 4 years in our student family apartment we decided it was time to move. My sister and her husband had offered some space in their house, so we took them up on the offer. It has been a big change for all involved. Lucas has kind of struggled. He really misses all of his friends, and having a park right outside our door. So he has kind of been acting up, but I think it is tapering down (fingers crossed). He actually went to primary on Sunday without crying, a huge relief! His new teacher could tell he was very hesitant and tried to make him feel better by asking him if he has a grandma. After he told her that he has two grandmas, she told him that she is a grandma. So now, when I ask Lucas what his teachers name is, what does he say? Yep, Grandma. I have yet to learn her actual name. But I will soon. After being here about 4 days we got our new callings (before we met the Bishop, before our records were transferred, kind of funny). I will now be teaching the CTR 5 class and Matt is a Cub Scout Assistant. I am kind of nervous, I have never done primary, ever. But both of us are pretty excited for the challenge.

The move has been a nice change for us. Though it was hard. We miss our ward, and our friends, Matt has a long commute now (but only for 6 more months - then he will be done with classes!! But he is hoping to get his externships here after that, and then graduation in May!). But, I have been able to spend some time with my sister, her husband and her kids. My niece is kind of particular, but she now loves me! :) On our first day here, Lucas and Porter (my nephew who is 2 months younger than Lucas) were playing outside. We have these huge boulders in the back yard, and the kids were playing pirates. Lucas lost his balance and grabbed Porter for support, and pulled him down. Yea, Porter went to the ER with a concussion. He was vomiting. Had to get a c-scan. Not a good start. But things have improved since then.

Over all things are going really well. Matt and I are very happy with our decision to move. And we are so grateful to my sister and her family for welcoming us in.

Pictures to come soon of the kids!

Let's get dirty!

Ok, so excuse the title, but I thought it was pretty funny. No I am not talking "bedroom" stuff, I am talking "The Dirty Dash". It is a a 5k run, in mud. The whole thing is not in mud, but a good amount. My sister got all of us into it and I mean all of my siblings did it!! Thats right ALL 9 of us! Plus, my Brother-in-law Cameron, my sister-in-law Amanda, and my niece Kylee. We were team "Goonies". My sister and I (and her daughters) made everyone a t-shirt for the big event. I am NOT a runner, in fact, I hate running. But, I had heard this was fun, and boy, it didn't disappoint. First, we let the kids go wild in the 'piglet plunge'. Can you say hysterical!? I don't think any of the kids enjoyed it, except my niece Jeanie - I don't know if she actually liked it, but she was the only one who didn't cry. The older 'piglets' did great, it was just the young ones. I think the pictures say it best - with the fake smiles, and the fact that none of them would close their hands or put their arms down. (Picture is missing: Aspen, Nelea, Morgan, Joey, Jeanie, and William)

Lucas was too funny. I talked it up for weeks, getting him ready for it. On the way there, he was totally on board, SO excited to run and play in mud. I guess I forgot to mention that there was going to be A LOT of people. Cause when it came time, he was pretty nervous. Then, he took his first step in the mud, and it went all the way up past his knees. He freaked. I couldn't put him down the rest of the way. But he did LOVE the humongous slip 'n' slide at the end!

Cousin Aspen getting Lucas ready for the big run!

Before

Now onto the adults.... What can I say? We were a bunch of little kids. Literally, rolling in the mud, throwing people in, throwing mud onto people, climbing over each other - let me explain that one. Through out the course they have obstacles. Many of them were things we had to climb over, well, us Stokers (especially the girls) are pretty short (just in case you didn't know). ;) So, my awesome brother in law Cameron and my sister in law Amanda would get all fours and let us girls use them as stools. They really love us don't they? Well it was all fun and games until I decided to go crazy. I tried to jump over a TINY stream (key word- tried). It was like 2-3 feet wide. I get a running start and I leap over it. I forgot to mention both sides are covered in mud, meaning really slippery. As I take off, my back leg slips and I fall. Yep, I pulled a groin muscle. It hurt!! It even took a couple of weeks to heal. After that, the run was still fun, though I had to be careful and slow. Here is the before picture (missing Ryan and Amanda). (We went with an 80's theme - I totally had the best outfit. Everyone else had awesome socks though. :)

And the after. My favorite part of the picture? Well, First, Michelle and Emily. I don't know what they were doing, but it looks like Emily is telling Michelle "Hey, you got a little something on your face." Then, I love Cameron and Tyler. It is like they are admiring each other, and grinning. Awesome. Thanks Family for a great adventure - I am game for next year!