Ever felt like a bowling ball??

Okay, so I can tell you exactly how a bowling ball feels. I know what it is like to go down the lane, using the bumpers for support (so you don't go in the gutter), and turn every which way while trying to knock down the pins at the end of the lane.

As most of you know, I start the nursing program this semester (tomorrow, actually), or that was the plan. In previous blogs, I wrote that my plan was to not have a plan, or so I thought was my plan. Things are constantly changing, whirling me in every direction. As I travel down the "alley" of life, I feel as though Heavenly Father "bumps" me back in the lane to prevent me from rolling into the "gutter". Jared got a call a couple of weeks ago informing us that our command sponsership (something that lets me and the girls go with Jared) to Korea has been approved. All my books were already purchased and I was going to my first nursing meeting the next day. I was so confused as to what to do. What would Heavenly Father want me to do? I prayed and found no answer that brought me comfort. Either I stayed home with both our girls for a year and get my LPN while Jared was gone, or, I go with him, throw away all the classes I have been taking for the last couple of years, and scramble to get things ready to go to Korea.

After deciding to do the latter, I swallowed the lump in my throat, cancelled all my classes for this semester, returned all my books, and booked four plane tickets to Korea through the military transportation office. I then scheduled for our household goods to be picked up. That's when I found out that we are only allowed to ship over 2250 lbs with us. Now, if you don't know, a normal room has about 1000 lbs in it. We have a 2100 sq ft house, with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We also have a piano and very heavy bowflex dumbells. So, for the past couple of days, Jared and I have been majorly downsizing.

I am so grateful for all of these experiences that we have had, and I feel so grateful for all that we have. I feel like Heavenly Father is bumping me back on course when I get a little towards the edge. I also feel grateful that Jared and I have the opportunity to be together in Korea for a couple of years.

Jared turns 27

For Jared's birthday, the girls and I bought a bag full of balloons. I tried blowing them all up by mouth, but that quickly became a chore. Then I remembered that we have an air compressor, and about half an hour later, I was finished.

Jared loves buffalo wings, so that, along with tons of pizza, was the specialty of the night.

Jared loves Spongebob Squarepants, so the girls helped me decorate the cake.

Christmas Eve and Santa

Every year in Kanosh, on Christmas Eve, they have a Primary program. All the kids had to get on the stage and jingle bells to call Santa Claus out. Ariana and Emmalee were both very excited when they saw him.

Sledding in Kanosh

First of all, I have to apologize for not keeping up. We went to Kanosh for Christmas and had a blast!!!! Here are some pictures of us sledding at Black Rock.

Jared and Emmalee

Jared and I went down a couple of times.

Carinne and I thought it would be cool to slide down the hill on this sled.

Little did we know, it was a death trap. We both feel off and rolled over eachother until the bottom of the hill slowed us down.

This huge inner tube was so much fun. From left to right is Zoie, Me, Ariana, Jared, and Melanni.

The Snake at Sabrina's

We went to visit my sister for the weekend. She has a bioa constricter snake. These snakes can reach 12 to 13 feet long. At first, Ariana and I were afraid of it, but we both overcame our fears and held the snake. Emmalee and Jared were fearless and went straight for it. This is all the girls talk about now. They love snakes (even before we saw Sabrina's snake)!!!

Halloween Costumes

Ariana was very happy and excited, as you can depict from her facial expressions. Can anyone guess what Jared was on Halloween?

(I will give you a clue, the color of his clothes is a big indication)

Halloween

Jared and Emily had a blast getting the pumpkin ready to be carved.She loved getting out the gooey stuff.She called this pumpkin her "happy face pumpkin". When we brought it home, she wanted to sleep with it in her bed. We setteled to putting it to sleep in her kitchen with a blanket.
Here are before and after pictures of the pumpkins we carved. My dad did this one. I carved this one. It reads Happy Halloween on the top.


Jared and Emmalee did this one. Ariana missed out on all the action due to a well needed nap.