There is sign of life...

I just haven't blogged about it yet!

Since Luke hasn't been consistently working at his dad's house since August, Papa Rick pops his head in at ours every once in a while and we love it.

Aunt Megan also popped her head in to see us all the way from Kentucky, not really, but we are glad she didn't forget to tell us she was in town when she came for Grandpa's funeral. We feel for her deeply and had fun with her at this awesome park/gardens in West Valley.

Katie loved the slide (I am feeling bad because I don't think she has had the same playground experience as Gracie did at this point because I am always helping Gracie do bigger girl things).

She loved petting her first dog. She went right up to him, not even scared. Way to go girl!

And for once Katie did not look like she was going to throw up on the swing! She actually enjoyed herself and no face of terror.

And for once Gracie was not in a swing! She loves to swing and does not want to get out.

She was so sad and cried when Megan said she had to go home. She loved Megan and how much fun she was. She even said she wanted to go home with her and leave us. I am afraid she would like it too much with Megan's fun momittude, 6 kids for best friends, and Karl's mad dad skills.

We have found some awesome finds at the D.I. This toy box triggered some deep nostalgia inside me despite the hot yellow color, cobwebs, and leaves. It is exactly the same toy box that my brothers and sisters and I used to throw our toys in with a place to sit on top. ONLY it was blue. I snatched it and now I have some big plans involving a monogram "B", seat cushion, and paint. Can't wait.
We also officially "started" our blog for Home Speech Home. Unfortunately the major writing of it will fall to me which means it won't always be consistent but results are promising! I already have a couple of posts and video logs (vlogs) in the works. And hooray for us, we sold 3 more e-books today! It was a return customer from a couple of months ago. Of course it didn't hurt that we dropped the price down to $7.00 to see if it made a difference. We are tortoise-ing it for sure, but hey he still finished the race! I will include a link to the speech and language blog on my next post, then you can get the meaning behind the TP... ha ha!
Gracie tried on my boots and they fit her whole leg... ha ha!

I didn't get the home health job I interviewed for about 3 weeks ago and I was bummed. After calling about 4 times with no response over the 3 weeks, I emailed her and asked if the position was filled or if they did not have the caseload to warrant hiring another speech-language pathologist at that time. She wrote back, "We do have the caseload to hire another SLP at this time. Good luck in your future endeavors." And to think that I came away from the interview thinking I had it in the bag. I guess they wanted someone with more experience with adults. I have been sad because I was thinking that I usually get things I try for, but then after thinking a little harder, I remembered quite a few things that I went for that I didn't get and wanted real bad. My brain just didn't want to remember those times. Funny how our brain just tries to remember the good! (That reminds me, I need to get the results of the study at BYU that Katie was in studying whether positive or negative memories/experiences were stronger in infants.) One huge thing that cheered me up after not landing the job was... my parents and my sister Lisa and brother Michael called up one Sunday to say they felt like taking a drive to see us. Even though it was only a short quick, short visit, it meant ALOT! That is the first time they came to see us just to see us. There is just something about having your parents see you trying to be a good parent- just trying to be a good girl! Can you see how Michael had fun being SCARED of our spider? And how the neighbor kids love it too? I am ready for a house not attached to anyone, and even far away from everyone (and the freeway) sometimes. All in good time right?

We thoroughly enjoyed conference time at our house. I had the best experience setting up and serving at the RS Broadcast dinner and then sitting and listening to the Broadcast by myself with no kids or friends for distractions. I felt the spirit so overwhelmingly like I haven't in a long time. I LOVED IT and I have a STRONG testimony of Jesus Christ, God's Love, the Book of Mormon, and His Church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk on 5 lessons to "Forget Me Not" and how my dad has always loved the "Forget Me Not" flower as well. We loved having our newest (a couple of months) fun friends over for breakfast in our pajamas on Sat morning conference, a new tradition I think. Then Luke and his dad looked great going to Priesthood Meeting together. I am so proud of them and their good relationship despite the rocky business road they have been down together.

Then Sunday Conference we enjoyed having all to ourselves. Doing puzzles, coloring, cuddling, (Luke trying not to doze), and making cinnamon rolls for the first time ever. We have usually had cinnamon pull-aparts or refrigerator orange rolls, but this time I had to try. I am proud to say I am never going back. I have found the BEST CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE EVER. I can't wait to share one or two rolls (not the recipe) with all the people I care about. And that is another tradition we started. We will pick out at least one family who is need to share a plate of cinnamon rolls each conference.


All in all, we are doing well even though the stress of unemployment is beginning. We did not anticipate getting a job in our field would be this hard cause it hasn't been before. It truly is a hard economy and apparently not being formally employed for 3 years even though you have been doing private therapy here, doesn't help my chances. Don't worry, I am just waiting for my Utah license to practice for a telehealth job I think I have. It is a race between Luke and I to see who can get the "best fitting" job first. Ready GO!

P.S. We asked 4 specific questions before watching conference, even with a little doubt on how 3 of them would be answered because they were such specific questions and unique to us! AND DRUMROLL PLEASE... 4/4 questions were specifically and directly answered! SO COOl. Oh me of little Faith! Never again. I will not doubt that the Lord will answer my questions in conference and at other times, even if it is not how I expected or when I wanted it. I think that is the hardest thing -- having real faith that what you desire can and will come to pass, but being humble and submissive at the same time that if it doesn't happen, you won't be mad, or disbelieving, and just understand that God has a better purpose and design.
Did you get your questions answered? If you haven't tried it before, you have 6 months to figure out your questions and try it! I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE... and so does Gracie, hee hee.