Well it looks like Mom's scolding about not blogging has done us all some good. Don't let it go to your head Mom, because it won't work twice, haha. First, let me respond to some of the blogs before me. Jeff, Wicker Park was the worst movie of all time, and you literally recommended it. It is not the only one...i track people's recommendation records and you are at 27%. Meaning 27% of what you recommend is actually good, to Angela and I. We are so excited for McKenna. Had the missionary age been lower when Angela was that age, she definitely would have served. Actually had she not met a handsome prince prior to turning 21 she would have served. My mission was the best thing I did up till that point, and continually impacts my life on a daily basis. Many people tell me how lucky I am that Angela is so beautiful, but I scoff and correct them. It is not luck!! They say the harder you work on your mission, the better looking your spouse will be...obviously I worked harder than anyone else! Haha. Mom, we are not sure if Mason will be going on the Trek now since we are moving. If we moved in June or July we were going to still have her go with our old ward, but since we are moving in May we are hoping our new ward/stake is having a Trek and she will participate with that one, but if not she still will have Girls Camp. We will make ourselves available whatever dates Jeff and his fam come out. I intend to take work off, as does Angela. If we want to do anything in Salt Lake we are happy to put people up, as we will have plenty of room this year. I know last time we talked about Salt Lake for a few days, but space wise it didn't work out, so I am just throwing that out there. Jeff, if I need to put in for any hikes, Orderville, etc. let me know I will do whatever so that we can have a fun hike. They are becoming great adult family memories, so let's do something.
Now for my actual blog update. We have found a house in Eagle Mountain Ranches. For those unfamiliar with Eagle Mountain it is out by Saratoga Springs. The Ranches is the new planned development that lies between Saratoga Springs and the downtown city of Eagle Mountain. Eagle Mountain is a growing area, and although will require a little bit of a commute, it will be worth it in the evenings and on weekends when we want to relax and get out of the city a bit. The home is beautiful, and will allow us to offer a place for family to stay anytime they travel to or through Salt Lake. Everyone is welcome at any time! We are going to rent it for a year, and then plan to buy it in March or April of next year. Our goal is to make this our last move until the girls leave for college. More than anything we want our girls to have a place they feel is home, and where they can establish some real roots. I love the fact that we grew up in the same home, neighborhood, schools, and ward our entire childhood. I think there are pro's and con's to both moving and staying, but going into high school I think it is important or at least nice to have some established social circles and a place you feel like is home. That is why we wanted to move now, to allow Mason and Connley the opportunity to get establish so when they go to high school in 2-3 years they will have friends and a ward support system. We have been humbled by the many blessings we have received the past year or two. Selling the bakery in Cedar City was a difficult decision, and one I think about all the time, but moving to Salt Lake was the best decision for our family and has allowed the Lord to use us and bless us as he sees fit. We would never have imaged we would be where we are right now two years ago when we sold everything we owed in Cedar City and moved to Salt Lake into a 750 square foot duplex that worried mom upon seeing it. The home was small, uncomfortable, lacked any amenities, and was in disrepair, however these are the things we as a family needed. The small size of the home forced our girls back into a bedroom together where they have become best friends, and you can hear constant talking and giggling every night for an hour after bedtime. It force our little family to interact more and spend time together, since there was no such thing as going off to be alone with only a family room and bedroom. With one bathroom and no dishwasher it forced us to work together, and all pitch in keeping the dishes washed and put away (we could have done better on that). The lack of amenities were tough, especially no a/c in the summer, but it made us appreciate other things, it got us out of the house more, and made us more considerate of those who have a lot less than us. More than anything moving to Salt Lake allowed our family to move on from past obstacles and negative experiences and begin fresh. We really did not know anyone in Salt Lake so we were forced to rely on one another, and socialize in order to make some friends. Our kids are better at that last part, but we have made friends with many neighbors and co-workers that has been nice. We learn to rely more heavily on the Lord, enjoy each day because hey why not, and focus on the positive rather than the negative. We did not get down, or say why us or why not us when others saw success, I mean yes those moments come, but we did not linger on them, instead we said hey, we have two beautiful, healthy girls, Angela and I have a strong, loving relationship after many bumps and rocky roads, and we have everything we need, forget the wants. Eventually, we started to acquire more blessings, and seriously last year we thought we had almost everything a person could want, and were so happy. I was working as a security guard, nights and weekends, but with each paycheck we could pay our bills and had a little left for activities or treats. We spent the summer going to the local water park once a week, and had so much family time it was great. Then I got my new job, and literally we felt so grateful, many moments of reflection prior to the job and after occurred. We now had all that we needed. I had a job I felt good about, we had incomes that allowed us to have more than we needed, and our family was closer and happier than ever. The blessings did not stop, and with each one after my job, we began to feel guilty. We felt undeserving and glutenous. Others around us, in our own family, were struggling and yet we were continuing to be blessed in ways we could never image. After much prayer and questioning, why are we so blessed, we truly came to learn that this is the Lord's plan and He has a need for us. Now we feel guilty when we are blessed and then guilty for feeling guilty, as if we are ungrateful. I am not sure why the Lord has blessed our family, but I know that it is not because he wants us to have a ton of money or live in a big house. The Lord and I had many conversations during those nights I worked security, and I had many vivid dreams, that I thought we don't need it but if I ever have it this is what I will do. The Lord has fulfilled those dreams, and now is expecting me to go through with what I envisioned.
Mom stated in her blog that she is not sure what we received from her, what we got from you Mom is the most precious gift of all, a living testimony of our Heavenly Father, his Son, Jesus Christ, and the restored gospel on the earth. The thing I learned on my mission, is it would be very difficult to join the church when no one else in your entire family is a member. Mom joined the Church through so much opposition, and she remained strong and faithful through even more and harder opposition. What an example and testimony of love and faith. As we all know Mom is not perfect, none of us are, sorry Mom, but she was the perfect mother for 5 kids that had to endure divorced parents at a time divorces were rare, perfect for 4 boys that were determined to kill one another, and for children that would stray from the lifestyle of the Church, but not from their testimonies. She was strong, consistent, and steadfast in her love, her adherence to the gospel, and to chores. She did not give in and take it easy on us, she demanded our best and showed us what that meant through example. She did not say go and do, she took our hand, showed us how, and then said now you do it. She sacrificed, wept, and prayed endlessly not for herself or for money (except for food), or for a new life, but for 5 kids that had a lifetime of hardships ahead that we would be protected, led, and someday worthy to enter the temple and the celestial kingdom as a family reunited forever. She prayed that because she had to work, leaving us home alone after school, that we would not pay the price, but that we would be okay, physically and spiritually. Mom you gave me an example of what Heavenly Father's love means, because if it is like your love for us then sending his Son for the rest of his children makes a little more sense. I will not share my full testimony here, but I hope each of you, my brothers, sister, and Mom know that I know that we have a Heavenly Father that loves us, and He loves us so much he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to earth to suffer for our sins so that we might return to live with them and together as a family forever. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, and they together know we will stumble and fall, but hope we get back up and keep running. I love each of you. We are a family, and that means more to me every year. I pray for your safety physically and from the evils of Satan; depression, sin, negativity, and unproductive remorse. I pray that if you ever need anything you will call upon your family for strength, help, and support. May we forgive one another, if nothing else because we are family, and work together to be reunited in the eternities forever. Thank you for all of your prayers and support for me, Angela, and our girls over the many years. They made a difference! I look forward to seeing you whether in July or hopefully sooner.
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