Cha, cha, cha, changes....

Oh my goodness the strange changes that can take place in the course of a few days. Life altering changes that make you stand back and say hmmmmm....how did this happen?

My son has decided that girls and dating are not a bad things. Girls do not, in fact, have cooties and are actually cute. Suddenly, what they want to talk about is interesting. He has girls that he texts and girls as friends and...wait for it...he is actually going to ask a girl to Prom!!! I KNOW RIGHT!!!! That's just a hop, skip, and jump away from all the grown up things I am not prepared for from my only son and baby. Graduation, mission, college, and dare I say it, Marriage to some poor un-suspecting young woman who will have to pass the mamma and sisters "test". Oh heaven help this young woman....

Malori and Jon are moving home. Now, I am not going to lie here, I have prayed for the day when all of my children would be close. Anyone who knows me knows that I love my family! I would have them all live next to me forever if I could!! I am so excited for them! They have worked so hard for this opportunity and they deserve it! Again, this happened almost overnight. Phone calls made and a meeting later and Jon was given an awesome job opportunity. Mal also has a job lined up and plans to continue school. They found a beautiful home to rent until they are ready to buy. Did I mention that this home is in my neighborhood? YEA!!!!

Laney bought a car. A very cute, sporty, blue, shiny car that will get her from point A to point B with no troubles. I don't have to worry anymore about her getting there either. Her old car was very cute, but had some major flaws that would sometimes strand her in the middle of a busy road, parking lot, or drive way. I am very proud of her very grown-up decision that she made on her own!! And props to my brother Sam, he helped her research and shop for the car and get the best deal!

There have also been a few changes for Tony and me as well. I left the school to take another job closer to home and family. This job, even with promises to the contrary, came to a screeching halt 7 months later when the owners decided they had no choice but to down size the entire company. Most, if not all, of there employees were "laid off" including yours truly. This left me scrambling to find employment...not stressful at all right? Turns out my parents (who own their own business) had an opening coming up and offered me the job. Of course I snatched up the job on the spot and have been very happy with the change. The hours are great, the bosses are great, the job is great, I love it...but the pay is a lot less then what I was used to.
So, now the change it trying to make the house hold budget work as well. Tony and I have always been able to meet our needs one way or another and this time will be no different. It takes some getting used to and watching a little closer, but we can do it.
I feel bad that the kids will have to do without some of the fun things we used to do. Pizza Fridays will have to be less often...and the family vacation will be postponed a bit, but I am sure all will work out fine.
We still have a wonderful home, heat, food, clothes, cars, and each other.
Changes are just a part of life....and life is good.

Here we go again.....

So, I am going to give this blogging thing another try. I read my girls' blogs and a few others all the time and think that I should really take some time to join the craze. The true gift for writing was not really bestowed on me, but here it goes.
Since I last blogged many new things have happened. Malori and Jon have been married very close to 4 years and Jon is now an attorney with his degree (with honors), and his certificate that says he can practice law in the state of Arizona. Mal is now going to school.
Laney went to Florida and worked at Disney World and is now home. She loved it there, who wouldn't right? But I think she is happy to be home and ready to begin the next chapter in her life which may include her first love which is cooking and baking.
Tanner is now in the 10th grade and is getting very good grades in all his honors courses. Such a great young man and a wonderful help to his momma!
Sunday there was a missionary farewell. These used to be very fun and inspirational to for me. Now, I can barely contain my emotions as I sit and listen to these young men talk about being away for two years. My mind immediately turns to his mother and what she must be feeling at this moment. Of course there must be that huge sense of pride of this worthy boy who is willing to sacrifice two years of his life to serve. Then there must be this feeling in her chest like someone has just crushed her heart as she thinks about her baby boy being away for two very long years.
The very thought of Tanner being away and untouchable for two years sends waves of panic through me. Even as I sit here typing this my eyes have tears.
So, Tony leans over to me during the farewell and reminds me that in just a couple of years, that will be our boy standing up there giving his farewell talk...Yep, my wonderful husband, who knows this is a taboo topic, says that to me in a public setting. I just love him. ;)
I am a very lucky mother and wife.
If anyone actually reads this blog, I ask that you please keep those in Japan in your thoughts and prayers.
Until next time...