Goodbye, 2009!

With 2009 coming to an end we have a lot to be thankful for.

In NO particular order here are the happenings of '09:

---I resigned as Grandmas Caregiver and we moved back in with the Henderson's. This was a huge blessing for everyone involved....Grandma is very happy with where she is living. I don't have the stress of caring for an adult while caring for my hubby and 2/3 year-old. Cole doesn't have to deal with crazy me....I go crazy under that kind of stress. Bruce and Lorie have accepted the extra help with taking care of the Buckman Boys. I believe we are where we are supposed to be for the time being. I feel truly blessed for a loving family who has the ability and is willing to help.

---Cameron finally learned to talk. He was potty trained and pacifier broke. He has turned into a little boy not...he's no longer a toddler.

---Cole finished his 5th term of school. We are excited for 2010....he just might finish....

---I was able to work out side of the home for a while this year....I enjoyed the social interaction but was thankful when Cole found that great job and was able to provide for us again....I missed all of Camerons milestones...ie. Potty Training, taking the Pacifier away...and even talking. I love being a mommy and have gotten the working bug out of my system for now.

---Cam and I were able to go to Alaska this last summer. We has so much fun, it was definitely the highlight of our summer, if not year....Cameron still talks about it.

---We had visitors right after thanksgiving...Shannon and her fam and Mandi were able to come visit for a week or so. I love visiting with Cole's sisters and I know he does too!

---Cole's sister Erin announced that she is pregnant with her fourth. She is having a little girl and we are so excited....she's due in March....

---Right after her visit, Cole's sister Mandi announced that she is expecting....she is due in July and we are thrilled for the Boren Family.....

---On December 22, 2009 exactly 3 years after Cole, Cameron and I were sealed in the Medford, OR Temple, Cole and I found out that we too are expecting.....Our newest member of the family will debut at the end of August. Cameron is excited to be a big brother and is sure that we are having a baby brother for him (I'm sure he will be just as happy with a little sister).

---Today, Cameron will graduate from nursery into sunbeams at church...

THERE, that was our year. Stay tuned for 2010, I'm sure it will be a big one! Cole has some crazy plans up his sleeve....he's hoping for a great job, another term or two of school....of course there's the new little one and there's talk of relocating....No promises......

FHE Challenge

A couple of Monday's ago, for Family Home Evening, the adults challenged the Kiddos to serve others. Damien found a really cool manger and told the kids that every time they serve some one or do something nice, they will be able to put a hand full of hay in the manger. The goal is to have the manger full by Christmas Eve so that Baby Jesus will have a soft, warm and comfy place to lay.

It has been so much fun listening to the kids (Cameron and his three cousins: Caleb, Jared and Dallin) help each other. Cameron came into our room the other day and informed me that he needed a clean pair of undies. I asked if he had had an accident and he said "no, I need them for Dallin, I sharin' with him, he needs some undies, he have no clean ones." Yes, he put a hand full of hay in the manger.

I love this challenge. It has helped me to think about my actions, to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to help teach my child the true meaning of Christmas.

MIA

Sorry it's been so long! Like always life has gotten the best of me and I am trying to get caught up now! Here are some highlights from our Fall.

---Definitely not a highlight but Cole lost his job...it was a wonderful way to start our holiday season...NOT! It has not been fun worrying about money and bills....then there is always the worry about the lack of money and Christmas gifts....I'm sure you get the picture. The highlight of this little obstacle is definitely the fact that we have a very gracious family....more than ever we are grateful for where we live.

---As I said before, I milk a cow. This started as a one week thing but has turned into a full-time (part-time) job. I join my Mother-In-Law every morning before dawn in the milking parlor (don't we sound professional?) to milk a cow. Between set-up, milking, and clean-up I spend an hour twice a day milking...the unbelievable thing is the milk sells for 7 dollars a gallon. Do the math!!! I get 4 gallons a day from one cow. I sell all 4 gallons each day except for Sunday. It has turned into quite the little job.

---We had a baby calf. Abby cow (Lories cow) had her baby a couple of week a go. It turned into quite the ordeal. She wasn't expected to calf for another couple of weeks so we weren't quite ready and set up to milk two cows. When we found mom and baby bright and early (5:30 am) on a Saturday we were a little surprised and nervous. After much drama....mastitis, shots, kicking, and engorgement....we have a second cow that is milking....this would be Lorie's Cow.

---We had a very quiet and peaceful Thanksgiving. Lorie volunteered to have a giant Thanksgiving and decided to invite the whole ward. We had just over 100 people show up. It was fun and yes....quiet and peaceful.

---My Mother-In-Law and I are the enrichment leaders in our ward at church. We were called three weeks before our "Super Saturday". We quickly changed the name to "Simple Saturday" and started planning. It went off without a hitch and was a huge success. We are already planning our Relief Society Birthday Celebration for March.....Here's a hint: Our ward recently welcomed back the Spanish Branch.....

---Cole's sisters Mandi and Shannon were here for a couple of days. It was so fun visiting with them! I wish they lived closer! I really enjoyed seeing Baby Jillian....I love watching her explore! Thanks, Adam for coming along! ;)


There it is in a nutshell! It has been a crazy, busy few weeks! I am so very thankful for all of our many blessings. I am trying very hard to stay focused and balanced. Stay tuned....

The Storm!

A couple of posts back I mentioned the "storm". I mentioned how I felt it drawing near and then the winds would calm.....well they haven't calmed this time!

A week and a half ago (right after that post), Cole got layed off! It didn't come as too big of a surprise...work had really slowed down and they had been warned. He was hired through a temp agency at the beginning of the summer....along with 6 other guys....5 of them were layed off Oct. 30th. We later found out....the following week they did another round of lay offs....

Cole handled it well. I, on the other hand, didn't. It's hard not knowing where the money will come from. It's hard not knowing how your husband will hold up mentally. It's hard to watch your husband go from a job he loves (and he did love his job and the people he was working with) to looking for a job...and in this economy....and in this town....their is NOTHING!!!

All I can do is try to stay positive....I continually thank Heavenly Father for the roof over our heads and for our gracious family. I am so grateful for the support we have. I know we will be okay....I know he will find something when it's time!

Halloween and Birthday!

We had a busy weekend! First, we celebrated Halloween by dressing up as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Thanks to our trip to Fairbanks a couple of months ago, Cameron is now obsessed with Toy Story....He had never seen it till we were at Aunt Shannon....but she had Toy Story and Toy Story 2....Now we do too!

Cameron had fun stopping by my moms house to see his Aunt Amanda and Aunt Emily....they took him door to door for a few minutes while I finished baking and setting up for there party.

After it got dark, Cameron and I drove down to our church building where he went Trunk-of-Treating. We had fun seeing all of our friends and trying to guess what they were.

Sunday, we celebrated Cameron's third birthday (early) after church with my mom, step-dad and sisters. We enjoyed a spaghetti dinner. After dinner my Aunt Anita and cousins Chelsey and Shelby came by for presents and cupcakes.

On Monday, November 2nd, Cameron turned THREE!!! He had been waiting for his birthday all year....but he's been especially excited since Dallin and Hyrum turned three in September! Part way through the morning Cole and I broke out Cameron's gift....we found a fun play tent, tunnel and clubhouse at a garage sale a few weeks ago and have had it hidden since! It was a great deal so we were excited to set it up and see how it worked and if he liked it....It was a HIT! Cameron and Dallin lounged around in it most of the afternoon...Camo LOVES it!

While they lounged I baked another batch of cupcakes and cleaned up after the kids...then it was time for another birthday party. We had Ernie, Joseph and the kids over. Brian and Candie also stopped by with Michael and Daniel. My dad and his girlfriend Nancy were able to bring my little sister Hayley and my little brother Brady over. Caleb, Jared and Dallin were also here with Papa. It was crowded but fun! Cameron had tons of fun playing with every singe gift last night! He has to try each one out at least once....thank goodness he didn't get lots of toys....He got books, coloring books, a stinkin cute Woody quilt...a cool Buzz Lightyear backpack and a set of monster trucks.

I can't believe my little guy is THREE!!! It's amazing to me how much he has grown. I love him so very much and am so grateful for the time I get to spend with him! He is a fun, sweet, smart little guy who keeps me on my toes....and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Happy Birthday, Camo!

Knowledge

With winter right around the corner I can't help but wonder how we will hold up this year. Once fall hits it's only a matter of time before Cole seems to fall apart. With the Mental Illnesses Cole suffers from it's a wonder he is where he is today! Its a wonder he has a job he loves and is almost done with his schooling. It's a wonder he's such an amazing husband and father.

Like I said last fall/winter...I don't regret marrying him. I regret taking on his trials and having to endure the rough times. I know it helps me to grow as an individual just as it helps him. I also know it helps us to grow as a couple. I know that Heavenly Father has something bigger and better in store for us...maybe not today or tomorrow or even next year....but someday. I know that we are better for being together and I hold to that knowledge during the hard times.

There are times thought that I feel like the storm is close. I can feel the winds blowing and the clouds growing darker....then suddenly they disappear and the winds calm. Compared to last year this fall has been a piece of cake! Cole has had some hard days but NOTHING! compared to what he had already dealt with by this time last year!

Simple everyday, kind of day!

With this new schedule....you know milking the cow and all....I seem to be getting quite a bit done on a daily basis! I am so very thankful for an even tempered three year-old (you know it just days from his birthday...so although he's not quite three...he is to me!). From day one he has been more than willing to run errands with me. He's always gone visiting teaching with me....he's even gone to the doctors with me. How boring it must be to be mommy's little shadow....but it is easier than trying to find a babysitter and definitely most convenient!

Yesterday we had Dallin over for an hour or so while Damien worked in Caleb and Jared's Classroom. After Dal left Cameron and I had some running around to do! We ran to Joann's to try to find these darn mini babies that I need for an enrichment project. After failing miserably and still not finding them Cam and I ran to a really cool thrift store here in town. We were able to find the cutest little vest for him to wear to church...for $1.99! Then it was time to make our way to Subway to pick up lunch for Daddy. I snuck into the used book store though before making my way to subway and bought two new books for myself and one for Camo. He is such a book lover...it makes me happy! We finally made it to Daddy with lunch. Good thing we were early, Cameron and I were able to sit in the parking lot while waiting for Cole and read his new pirate book. He was so excited!

We eventually made our way home. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Then it was time to milk the cow again!

Life is good. I cherish these easy days where everything fits together. At the end of the day I smile knowing that my family is safe, happy and loved. A day full of errands and relaxation, a simple everyday kind of day, makes my heart sing!