Tough times = gratitude.

It seems like in the last couple of months we have had more then our fair share of bad luck. Moving all on its own can be a very frustrating thing, but with everything else that has been going on I must admit things have been very hard and stressful. Last night was the straw that broke the camels back. Our little puppy dog Maggie got hit by a car and died. It is amazing how much a pet becomes a part of the family. It was heartbreaking. I have been feeling pretty sorry for myself but after loosing mags it did a very interesting thing for me. I am suddenly filled with gratitude for the things that I have. Makes me take a step back and realize what truly is important in life. My dear sweet husband. My two wonderful boys that are healthy and happy. My own health. Being near all our family and feeling their comfort and love. Having amazing friends near and far! I feel so blessed for all that I have. We will surely miss our cute little pup but her death humbled me and made me realize all that I still have to be thankful for. Although the deck seems stacked against us at times, I still have the most important things in my life near and dear to me, I guess that makes me pretty lucky!

We will miss you Maggie!

Bye Bye curls.

I had held Karson off on his first haircut as long as I possibly could. I just love his curls but they finally had to go. His hair was becoming a mess. Anytime I would get it all done up cute, as soon as he rubbed his head against anything it would become a fro. So we sat him in the sink, and snip snip snip my mom cut his hair. No more baby curls. He looks like a little man now instead of my little baby. It looks cute but I sure miss those baby curls.

Summer time 2008!

I am finally back with a summer update. Summer has been a whirlwind of hard work, lots of changes, and also a lot of fun. Recently there has been so much going on in our life that it seems we hardly get a chance to stop and breath. But I can't complain because I absolutely love summers! It has been a very exciting summer to say the least! I will try remembering everything as I catch everyone up.

These last couple of months Justin and I have been doing our fair share of flying. We found out that we could actually fly into Jackson Hole, WY cheaper then anywhere else. It is beautiful there. The airport is right by the Tetons so when your flying you get a great view. Once you live away from the mountains you come back with new appreciation for them. One day we took our time and walked around town. It is a very cute little town with wonderful little shops. If you have never been to Jackson Hole you must put it on your to do list.

At the end of June we took the boys up and spent a couple nights in Island Park at the cabin with the Johnsons. We had a ton of fun boating, jet skiing, Kayaking, 4-wheeling,tubbing, and eating wonderful food.

Ready for a day of fun in the sun.

Kamden absolutely loves going on the boat. He insist on holding
the flag and as soon as someone is in the water, the flag flies up!
Sometimes even before they fall in! :)

Karson loves the big dogs. To find him all we had to do was
find the dogs.




Island Park is such a beautiful place. We love being able to spend time up there.

Justin amazes me. He is so talented in so many ways. It has been awhile since he has wake boarded but as soon as he tried it he was up and at it, like a pro. When Kamden saw daddy out there doing he yelled out to him "Hold on tight dad!" It was so cute.

On the 30th of June we celebrated Karsons first Birthday! We had a little party at the park with my family and the Johnson Family. I can hardly believe that our precious little boy is already one. He is such a joy in our lives a special little guy!




On the fourth of July we went to the parade with my parents, my sister and her family. Parades are a huge tradition in our family. I love going to them. It makes me feel like a little girl again. Later that day we had a B.Q at my parents. That night we went and watched the fireworks with some good friends of ours Chad and Amy Purser. Kamden at first was very excited about the fireworks, but towards the end he kept wanting to get in the truck and go to sleep. We had a great day! But above all I must say I'm proud to be an American. I also want to say thanks for all those that our fighting for our freedom still today.
The next week my mom went to girls camp. I stayed at her house to help take care of everything. Then on the 17th of July we once again headed up to Jackson Hole to fly back to Michigan for the last time. The 18th of July was Justins' last day at Ford. He was pretty sad to leave all his friends there and I know that he will be missed. That weekend we packed the truck up. We had one last celebration dinner at Benny Hanas. Saturday afternoon Justin and I shared our last kiss at our house on Arlington Street, hopped in the cars and began our 2000 mile journey home.

Our drive across the country is a whole blog in itself. It was really fun. Justin drove our truck and I drove our Edge. My little brothers Austin and Eli switched off cars and kept us good company on the drive. We were able to see so many wonderful different things and were able to take our time driving and enjoying the scenery. Highlights of the trip include: we went to Chicago, saw the Mississippi river, saw an amazing sunset in South Dakota and then saw the badlands. Went cave exploring in the Black Hills, then stopped and saw Mount Rush More. In Wyoming we stopped and saw the Devils Tower then crossed into Montanan were we found a deserted road and flew across it. Every night we camped at a different camp ground. One night when we were somewhere in Montana camping a huge lightning storm hit and we had to wait it out in the truck. When we went to get back in the tent our stuff was soaking wet. On Wednesday the 23rd we finally made it to Island Park where we met my family for the Harker family reunion. (My moms family) We had a great time in Island Park at the reunion and it was nice for my family to be able to spend some time together. Finally on Sunday we ended our journey and were finally HOME.


Monday the 28th of July Justin started his job. He is really enjoying it so far. Every day he gets to learn something new and he really loves that. He is busy but loves the challenge. We are living with my parents for the time being until we figure out where we are going to live and to save up a little money. Unfortunately real estate in Michigan is one of the worst in the U.S. It is very challenging and depressing to say the least. We are thankful for good family to lean on and all their love and support. Keep your fingers crossed for us, we hope to sell our house soon.

This last weekend we went back up to Island Park. Justins Brother Jade and his wife Megan came over for the weekend. It was nice to go up there and be able to get a little relaxation in. We are always so happy to be able to spend time with Jade and May-May. Then on Sunday we came back down and I was able to meet up with one of my best friends Veronica. She was in town and we were able to catch up over lunch before she had to head back home. She is a wonderful person and a great friend.

I think that about summed everything up. Okay well maybe not a summery but now at least you all know why I have been M.I.A. I hope everyones summers have been going great! Thanks for all your emails and notes.

Moving day!

I have so much to update, but for now it will all have to wait. I have taken so many great pictures but left the camera cord back in Michigan and cant upload any of our photos. So soon I will post some pictures.

Tommarow me and my little brother are driving to Jackson WY and bording a plane. I will be flying back to Michigan for one last time before the big move. Justins last day at Ford is this Friday. That night we will pack up the truck and Saturday morning we will start on our drive home. Luckily for us my mom is kind enough to watch the boys again so we wont have to be making the drive with them. It should be a fun road trip home. I am sure I will have pictures of that to post as well!

House for sale.

Thats right our house in now officially on the market. The past week we have been busy packing, painting, caulking, grouting, cleaning up the yard, rebarking the flower beds,trimming the trees and bushes, removing wallpaper, more painting , and just getting it all ready to sale. It looks great now. Justin and I wonder why we didn't do all this earlier. It is funny how you fix up your house to sell, then you move and don't even get to reap the benefits of all the hard work. You can check out our house at:

http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspxzp=48128&mnp=19&mxp=18&bd=3&bth=2&typ=1&sid=9176b9f5ee304b7f8e1e68d40d7f7685&sdir=0&sby=2&pg=2&lid=1100678125&lsn=17&srcnt=42#Detail

I flew into Jackson Hole on Monday night. It was a beautiful flight and I got a great view of the Tetons. My mom picked me up at the airport and we had a nice ride home chatting. It was very exciting seeing the boys again after being away from them for over a week. We are very excited for Justin to fly in this Friday!

Birthday, Wedding, and a whole lot of fun.

It has been a very eventful past week. Last Tuesday night we hopped on a plain to fly to Boise Idaho for Jades (Justins Brother) wedding. Due to bad weather are flight was delayed and we ended up spending the night in a hotel in Minneapolis. We finally made it to Boise on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday we went shopping at the outlet mall and then us girls went and got pedicures. We went out for appetizers that night to a wonderful place called Barbacoa. It was delicious!! If ever in Boise you must try this place out! Friday we celebrated Kamdens third birthday and went to Ragging Waters. We had so much fun and the weather was beautiful. That night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It was at a nice place called cotton wood grill. It was a nice night and we had fun sitting chatting with family and getting to know Jades inlaws. Kamden made a friend Laci (the flower girl) and they were so cute. It was very fitting seeing as though he was the ring bearer. They had so much fun together. Saturday all the family came for brunch. We had Kamdens cake and opened his presents. Thank you to everyone for making Kamdens Birthday a special day.

The wedding was Saturday night at a cute church on Boise Campus. I was so nervous that Kamden wouldn't go down the isle and take the rings to Jade. But when the time came he not only went down the isle he ran down the isle straight to him. It was so funny and very cute! He looked absolutely adorable in his little tux! The reception was at the Boise Art Museme. Before the reception my Mom and Dad came and got the boys and took them back to home with them. (My mom is watching them for this week so we can get our house ready to put on the market.) The reception was a blast and Justin and I had so much fun together. Justin was Jades best man and he gave a great toast to the bride and groom. He was so happy to be Jades best man! Congratulations Jade and Meghan! We are so happy for you and love you bunches.

So Justin and I flew back here to Michigan on Monday. It was strange not flying with kids and actually kind of nice. Usually it takes forever getting through security; it is amazing how much less you travel with when you don't have kids. I have been busy boxing things up and fixing things getting ready to put our house on the market. This weekend we will be busy repainting everything and getting all the crayon off the walls. :) I miss my babies but I am so thankful to my mom for watching them for me while I get what I need to done! Thanks so much Mom! You really are the best!

Last night I was able to go out to dinner with three of my close friends here. It made me realize how much I will miss them. This has been our life here for the past three years and now this chapter is ending for us. Three years ago we moved here. Kamden was only one week old. He ate his first foods here, and rode his bike down the sidewalk. Karson was born here. I paced these floors with him when he wouldn't sleep. He walked his first steps here. We went through the Detroit temple for the first time. Along the way met some wonderful people. We bought our first house and made it a home. We laughed a lot and cried some too. It has been a wonderful three years and it is sad to say goodbye. We are so greatful for all our many wonderful blessings here in Dearborn Michigan!

Were on the move.

So I am back and have a huge announcement to make but first things first. Little Karson is walking. He started to walk about a week ago right around the day he turned 11 months old. He is now walking all over the place!!! It is so cute to watch him because sometimes he will start walking so fast that his little body can't keep up with his legs. He is growing up way to fast! He is such a little bundle of joy.



So it is official. We are moving back to Idaho!!! Over memorial weekend Justin had an interview with Premier Technology in Blackfoot Idaho. They offered him a job starting on July 28th. We thought long and hard about it being the right move for us and decided that home is were we want to be. It was a hard choice, seeing as though Justin is in school. Justin called and accepted the job and the very next day Ford sent out an announcement saying that they were cutting all funding for schooling. So it looks like we made the right choice. We are so excited! It has been over seven years since we have lived back home. We will miss our friends in Michigan, and especially sad that we wont be here when my cousin and her hubby move.



Speaking of my cousin. Last weekend her and her husband came and stayed with us while they looked for a house to rent. It was so nice having them here and catching up with Celeste. Steve is a riot! They are a great couple and we are truly sad that we wont be able to hang out with them more. Its funny how things work out. Just as they are moving here, we are moving home.
Seeing Celeste again made me think of all the good times we had when we were growing up. She is a great friend. I am so glad that she has found a wonderful husband and has two adorable children. We will miss them. Who knows maybe they'll move back to Idaho someday too. ; )

It has been so warm here lately. We have really been enjoying ourselves outside. For memorial day we went over to some friends and had a BQ. Before to long the slip and slide was brought out and all the kids were having a blast. Especially Kamden. He wasn't shy about it at all but would run, slide, and get soaking wet. I had to teach him to wait in line till his turn but every time someone took a little longer to go, he would go for them! It was a great day that we got to spend with good friends, and we had a wonderful time!

Monday the boys and I went to Greenfield village. This awesome little historic village that is set in the 20th century. Henery Ford stated it and it has a tons of stuff from that era. We went on a train ride, a carriage ride, rode in an old model-t, we rode on the carousel, and went in tons of old fashioned buildings. We saw all the farm animals and even got to look for chicken eggs, then had old fashioned custard ice cream. It was such a fun day and the boys loved it.

Last night we all played outside. It was sooo hot so the boys stripped down to nothing and ran threw the sprinkler. Karson was very curious about the sprinkler but once he got close and found out that it got him wet backed away quickly. He was very curious about it though, and soon enough he was having a great time getting wet. Even Justin got a little wet!