Update on our truckin' business!

Ok, so I briefly mentioned that we are buying a truck in an earlier post... Well, we are well on our way to gettin' that truck on the road.
Lets start at the beginning. Woody has talked about buying his own truck for well over a year now. We have had several opportunities, but they never felt right. So, we always passed. Well, one day a gentlemen who I will call "L" told Woody that he had some trucks sitting, and would sell him one, on contract. Woody talked to me about it. It was the first time that alarms didn't immediately go off when he talked to me about it. The guy was more than willing to do whatever he could to get Woody going. And another guy was willing to loan us the down payment. Both were willing to wait until our truck was on the road to start taking payments. "L" sold us our truck for 10,000 dollars. It has just over a million miles on the truck with only just over 400,000 on the engine in the truck. (If you don't know about trucks, like me, that sounds like a lot...apparently, though, it isn't bad.) The company Woody work for now is willing to lease us on, and provide a maintainance and fuel account, and take it out of our settlements. Speaking of settlements, Enterprise settles after 2 weeks, and every week thereafter. (other companies take 45-60 days to give you a settlement.) The only hitch in the entire thing is a trailer...It is a minor, temporary hitch though, because we have one coming in September or October. We just want Woody to get on the road as soon as possible. We are working on a few things that may solve this minor set back.
So..We feel like the Lord is opening lotsa doors for us. We know that owning our truck, this truck, is what we need to be doing.
Here is a crazy thing for you...I am more scared of the truck succeeding than I am of it failing. See, no money...I know how to deal with...Actually having money...That scares me. (Not that I think we will make millions, but we do have the opportunity to make some decent money.) I know how to struggle financially...to barely scrape by from paycheck to paycheck...I don't know how to not struggle. Also, I don't want it to change us. I have seen what having some money does to people, and I don't want it to do that to us...
I will just pray. I will be strong.
We have a plan. A good plan for what to do with the money. We will actually have a savings account. We haven't for quite some time.
Anyway..That is the deal with our business. Woody is putting the wetkit on this week. Then a trailer, and we will be rollin'. OH! The companies name? CBK Trucking. We like it.



Our truck...It doesn't have our name yet...But it will, Not bad, eh?!

Lemme tell y'all some things about....EXERCISING!

I have developed a TRUE love of exercising. I don't love all exercise...But there are some I truly LIKE to do. Some that I don't have to drag my rear outta bed and force myself to go to. Bootcamp, spinning and Zumba. These are my favorite. (Note: Bootcamp ROCKS. HURTS SOO GOOD!)

So here are some things about exercising that I LOVE! First, the endorphin rush. For real. It is awesome. When I am done working out, I feel like a million bucks! Second, MUSCLES! That's right. I got 'em. (Don't gag..They aren't big and bulky...It is actually hard for women to get that kinda muscle..) They are there though. I have these amazing things that at one point I was SURE were airbrushed onto models...ABS! That's right. An ordinary mom of 3 has abs. they aren't QUITE a 6 pack, but there is some mad definition! Then there is the fact that I can do a rather intense, kick-butt work out (Think: elliptical, 8-10 intensity for 5 miles or 47 minutes) and not feel like I am going to die. I sweat. My heart rate gets up. I definitely feel worked out. But I don't feel like I might die. I can also do my bootcamp, which is light resistance, and still move the next morning. It burns. It hurts while I am doing it, and sometimes, especially when I up my weight, I am a bit sore. However, it is no longer the "I can't move because I feel like I was hit by a train" sore.
On top of all of this, I have noticed I am more confident, and have far less anxiety. I have the "I can do that" attitude more often than I used to.
I am so thankful that I have a body that is strong. That I am physically strong as well as spiritually strong. I am thankful for a husband who is super supportive, and does all he can to make it possible for me to get to my workouts. I am just thankful.

P.S. If you are thinking you can't workout. That it is too hard..Here are a couple of secrets: First, it is only hard for a little bit. Maybe a month. Which kinda seems like a long time for something to be hard....But put into perspective, a month of your entire life is a short amount of time. Before long, 'hard' becomes 'a good workout'! Also, find what you like. I have tried so many things...I hate running. Can't even pretend I like it. I can do it. But I do NOT like it. So, I don't do it.

Why I homeschool

This question, or rather the answers to this question, have been on my mind a lot lately. We got our school books, I set up for school and I made a list of supplies to get in the next few weeks. I figured out exactly what days I need to be in school in order to meet the minimum requirements, got my statement of intent ready, (almost forgot this step...Gotta get it mailed tonight!) and a schedule set up. I have been researching pre-k curriculum like a mad woman, and am still not completely decided on what I want to do for Blayke! As you can imagine, some of these things cause me a bit of stress. Ok, some of these things cause me a lot of stress! Stress tends to bring up the question 'WHY?'
Here are my reasons....

1. I feel like 7 is too young for my kids to be away from me. Call me crazy, I'll take it. The idea of my 7 year-old being in school for 8 hours a day, away from me, me only having a vague idea of what she is doing just doesn't work for me! (I know...kids and parents survive it every day...I just don't want to. And as a parent, it is my prerogative!)

2. I feel like my kids can learn as well from me as any educator. I take their education very seriously. I want them to succeed. If I feel that they can learn from me, I have the drive to teach them, and they are succeeding, I don't find it necessary to pass the buck to someone else by enrolling them in school.

3. Cierra likes it. She did public school for kindergarten, and liked it ok, but she also likes homeschooling. She likes the opportunities it provides.

4. I truly believe my children will be more bonded, both to Woody and I and to each other, because of being homeschooled.

5. I can gauge where they are at more than an educator that has 28-30 students to care for daily. (This isn't an attack on our educators, I know many fine educators.)

6. I LOVE spending time with my kids. Don't get me wrong, it is sooo not all peaches and cream and easy and fabulous. I get frustrated. I get burnt out. I get tired. But over all, I LOVE having these amazing little people around me all the time.

7. I feel like it is my job. I feel like as these children's mother, I need to take responsibility and be their primary educator. Especially in these early years.

8. I don't know if we will home educate through high school. Right now, I say no. So, when that point comes, I want them to have a firm view on who they are. I want them to be independent, strong in their beliefs, and self-confident. I believe they stand a better chance of this if their opinion of who they are isn't 'helped' along by children their own age.

9. I like knowing EXACTLY everything my child learns. I don't have to worry about what they learn at recess.

10. I love my kids. That is the bottom line...I love them, and want what is best for them. I pray and pray, and know this is the right choice for us.

Homeschool

It is that time of year again..Back to school! Oh so fun!.....And so very stressful. I decided I didn't like the program we were using last year, as I don't think Cierra learned as much as she could have. It isn't that I think she is behind, but I think we could have made a lot better use of our time last year. So, this year, we are going to try using mostly books, with me being the teacher. I spent 8 hours researching math, spelling, language arts and everything else under the sun to find the best that I could. Then I had to pray. And pray. And pray a little more. I couldn't decide if I wanted to do a secular program or a Christian program. I didn't know if I wanted to keep her in second grade, or get her in a third grade language arts. Oh the decisions!!
Finally, with help from the Lord, I decided to lean towards a Christian approach. I want all things we do to revolve around our faith. I want everything I teach to help strengthen these childrens testimonies. I then decided that, for now, I would keep her on a second grade level. I will watch her closely, and if I feel the work is too easy, we will move on.. I pray every day that I am doing enough. That I wont miss the important things, that they will learn what they need to. I know homeschooling is the right decision. THAT much I do NOT doubt. However, I have perfectionist tendancies, and of all things in life that I don't want to fail at, this is the one thing that I cannot fail at!
Blayke...I am at a loss right now, and praying a lot about what to do with this one. He seems too smart for the things I find online to do with preschool. He knows his colors, shapes, can recognize his alphabet and numbers, he can count to 15, and almost to 20, he spells his first name....I don't know. Maybe we will start Kindergarten this year. (He will be 4 at the end of the month). Not heavy, hardcore kindergarten...And starting this early, if we need to, he can do 2 years of it. It is so much to think about.
I am thankful that when I am making these decisions, I can ask for guidance. That I know how to "listen" for answers. I couldn't possibly do this without His help.

The Temple

The Temple...What can I say? The experience can be summed up as AMAZING! Our experience started before we actually went through. The week before we left, on the same day, at different times, Woody and I both got the impression that we did needed to ask Cierras father for permission to have her sealed to us. We decided to fast and pray about it. We did and the result was a definite "YES". The Tuesday before our sealing Woody called him. He agreed without argument. The Lord had truly softened his heart. What is cool about it is that Grandpa Woodhouse woke up at 1:00 Tuesday morning and told Grandma that we would be able to have her sealed to us. He knew before we did.

What a blessing it is to have all 3 of our beautiful children sealed to us.

As I was going through, one worry I have had was put to ease. Even though it was not a worry I had been pondering at the time, in the past I had often worried about what would become of Cierra if something happened to me. (Would she be taken from the only Daddy she knows? Would she be separated from her brothers?) My hope was that my time wouldn't come before she was old enough to choose.. While going through, right at the end of the sealing, the thought came to me that everything was ok. If my time comes, I know that Heavenly Father will take care of it. (I don't know what that means, exactly, but I am confident that my family will be ok.)

How amazing is it that Heavenly Father knows and remembers our worries. Even if they aren't ones we are thinking about at a specific time. What a comfort to know that he is there. He is listening. He does answer prayers.

I feel so blessed that Woody is my eternal companion. I am thankful for all of the trials we have had. I know without a doubt that they are what have led us to where we are now. I know that there are more trials to come, and I am confident we will only come out stronger.

I am thankful to be living at a time when there are the Lords Temples on the earth!

I am so blessed! I can't wait to go back.

Funny things my kids say/do *19-23*

19. Blayke at the store after picking up our box of butter, "WHERE is the peanut for this butter?!"

20. Instead of Pinocchio, Blayke calls it, "Hokey-Dokey"

21. Me: "What foot does this go on?" Blayke: "This one...The right one." Me: "Good! What foot does this go on?" Blayke: "This one! The WRONG one!"

22. Cierra: I wish we had cold water to put on my head. Me: Why? Cierra : So my head would shrink and this headband wouldn't hurt it 23. Blayke:"I have to sleep with pajama pants on so I don't get a brain freeze!"

Update!

Well, it has been 3 months since my last post.... My computer cord broke, and instead of replacing it immediately, I took a computer hiatus! I have tons to update though! Let's start with the kids!

Cierra: Cierra has kept us busy this summer!  has done t-ball, hockey, swimming lessons, soccer and kids day! Fun stuff! She is a good girl, and an amazing help! She is mostly

good to her brothers! We are so blessed to have her as our oldest! Blayke: Oh, what can I say?! Have you ever watched 'Dennis the Menace'? That is my Blayke boy! He is 'such a 3 year-old boy'! He is smart and funny, but oh-so-naughty! He wears me out! This little stink can sure melt a heart though! Like when he says, "I love you Mommy! So much! Up to the sky and begone!"(supposed to be beyond) He has tons of funny habits. He asks before he does anything NOT considered naughty (like going to the bathroom), and then he tells me how to answer. I can't say sure. I have to say 'yes son'. Oh silly boy! Konnor: this baby is not much of a baby! And he is his big brothers partner in crime! I will tell him to come get his diaper changes, and he will run away laughing! He has unrolled an entire NEW roll of toilet paper... More than once! He loves the shower, and string cheese! He is a love-bug and constantly gives hugs and kisses! Oh! And, he is night weaned from breastfeeding, and only nurses 3 times a day! Yay! He is picking up on baby sign and is so cute when he signs please and milk! Now onto life! Recently, we took a trip to Idaho, and were sealed in the Twin Falls Temple! We even had permission from Aaron to have Cierra sealed to us! What an amazing experience! And what a blessing and a relief to know that we are now sealed for eternity. I am still home with the kids, and getting ready to start my second year of homeschooling. I have become a workout junkie, and take a spinning class, a bootcamp class and a Zumba class every week. I also run or do the elliptical on days I don't have classes. I love love love working out! I did quit Weight Watchers, but only because I don't need it. I have adjusted my lifestyle, and generally eat pretty healthy. I have lost a total of 40 lbs. Give or take a pound on ay given day! I am currently wearing a size 3 jean. Woot! We finally got booted out of our townhouse, and are living in our good friends 300 square foot (nope, there isn't a missing 0 there!) basement apartment. We are thankful to them, but hope to find something more suitable soon! Here is the BIG NEWS in our family! Woody is buying a truck... Not a pick-up.... A semi! We are starting a trucking business! After lotsa fasting and praying, we decided it would be a good move for our family. We are excited and nervous. Well... I think that is all for now! I will try not to let 3 months go by before I post again.