Why I'm here..At least...Part of it.

I live in Watford City, North Dakota. Never heard of it? Neither had I until about a year and a half ago. It is an hour from the closest Wal Mart and church. We drive 3 hours to attend the Temple or go to stake conference. I am 800 plus miles from my family.
Naturally, the question has come up, WHY?!
Sure, there is the employment thing...North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.. Plus the jobs here pay DANG good.
I could do what a lot of people are doing, and move back to Idaho and Woody could come home ever 2 or 3 or 4 weeks. NOT an option. We like seeing him every night.
Still, if you have ever experienced a winter here in ND, you will continue to ask WHY?! It is a whole other world here. Sometimes I feel like I have moved to a foreign country..Sometimes a foreign PLANET!
This story does in fact have a point. Woody and I have often felt that the Lord wants us here. We don't know specifics. (Don't know that we ever will).... Well, this last Sunday, during Relief Society, our RS president was giving the lesson and said, "A lot of us are here, without knowing the reason. I believe the reason, at least part of it, is that we weren't being who Heavenly Father needed us to be when we were back where we came from." (Most of us here are in the same sort of situations.) Now, I pondered this...And then I pondered it some more. How true is this statement?! I mean, to stay active here takes work...like...a lotta it. If you wanna participate in most activities, you drive an hour. We woke up at 5:30 am this past Saturday to attend a ward park clean up.
If you were previously just doing just whatcha had to to get by.....If you move to good ol' North Dakota you will go one of 2 ways...You will either find yourself putting a lot of effort.....a lot of sacrifice...into being an active member of the Church...or you will find yourself sliding on the slippery slope of inactivity. There isn't a lot of room for that in-between-do-just-what-you-have-to-do-to-get-by thing here. <I feel like I am now, finally, 10 years after baptism, willing to do the work to becomethe person Heavenly Father needs me to be. It does take a lot of work. It isn't always easy to get up, get ready, drive an hour, go to meetings, drive an hour home. Especially because it is Woodys ONLY full day off in the week.
I know that I am here because it was actually the best way for me to become the woman, wife, mother and Daughter of God that I need to be for the eternities. And, I am THANKFUL for that, and even more thankful that I know it.

POM POMS! (AKA:The POOF experiment) EXPLANATION

Recently, Woody and I made the decision to stop spanking our children. We did not come to this decision lightly, and had been pondering and praying about it for quite some time.
I personally feel that spanking is an extreme punishment meant for extreme behavior. (i.e.: Blayke running into the road after being told to stop when we are on a walk.) We were to the point, though, that they got spankings for everything! I hate that when I would go near my 3 (almost 4...sigh...That is for another post...) year-old he would flinch. Talk about feeling lower than dirt. I want respectful, obedient children. Not fearful children. I truly believe respect manifests the feeling of not wanting to do wrong, even behind a parents back. I feel that fear just makes a child not want to do wrong in your presence. (I don't live under a rock, and don't believe for a second that my children wont do things behind my back.) My hope, however, is for them to respect their parents, themselves and the Lord enough that they don't want to disappoint any of us. (C'mon, I am allowed goals and hopes and such, right.....???)
So, we started brainstorming about how to go about disciplining...Of course, everyone has their own opinions, and this is a HOT topic. I read up on "Love and Logic", which is, in theory, wonderful. But I am too lazy for it. There are so many parenting ideas out there, that if you 'google' it, your head is likely to spin off your neck!!
So, I consulted the One that I knew could ultimately help me, and I prayed. (Probably should have started it this way, but I am a bit slow at times!) While cleaning later that day, I remembered, with His help I am sure, (I was impressed at how quickly I got my answer to this prayer. It is like he was waiting for me to ask..) my friend "A". One time, while at her house, she made her son 'pay' to get on the computer. I figured that he had to earn the craft pom-poms that she had him 'pay' with. I figured I could do that. So, I made a list of ways Cierra could earn the pom-poms. Later that day, I had a chat with "A" about her pom-pom idea, (She says it wasn't hers) and expanded on my list. I proposed the idea to Woody, and he likes. So here is our plan!

The POOF experiment

For things such as chores, personal hygiene, good behavior, manners, neat schoolwork, reverence during scriptures, prayer and Sacrament etc...the children will earn a specified amount of pom-poms. (Each child will have a list tailored to suit them). They can also lose their pom-poms. Misbehavior in general will result in them having to "pay" me. They will also have to "pay" for TV time. (So far, this is the only thing I abhor that they do. We aren't a video game family, so that is not a problem...yet.) At the end of each week (Saturday) we will take all 4 jars (my two, and each of theirs) and they get a quarter (Cierra) and a dime (Blayke) for every pom pom they have earned, even the ones they used to pay me. Then out of that comes their tithing. Once we figure their tithing, they will pay me for however many pom poms were in my jar. Then they keep what is left.
Our goals with this "POOF experiment" (I call 'em poofs) are: 1. Reward good behavior. 2. Discourage behavior that is less than it should be. 3. Teach the Gospel Principle of tithing through real life experience. 4.Offer the children to earn allowance as opposed to giving them an allowance. (It is my personal opinion that an allowance that isn't earned teaches children very little.) I think it is important that they pay tithing on every cent they earn. Before they pay me. I also feel it is important to hand them every bit of money they earn instead of just what is left in their jars, so that they really understand paying me. I feel paying me in MONEY will be more effective than paying me in poofs. (The poofs will be easier to manage than the coins though on busy days through the week.)
We plan on having an FHE lesson on obedience this Monday to start the 'Experiment'. Saturday will be their "Pay day" so that when we go to Church Sunday, they are ready to pay their tithing. Our next FHE will be on the importance of paying tithing.

I will attempt weekly posts to let everyone know how it is going. I am giving the 'Experiment' 6 weeks. If, at that time, it is failing we will reevaluate!

p.s. I have noticed a huge change in Blayke since we stopped spanking and I have tried harder to praise good behavior. I am sure that part of it is due to the fact that I pray every day for patience, and for them to be obedient. I also believe, though, that he will respond well to a rewards system.

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.