Family Pictures

This year my friend Becki took our family pictures, and we took them here in our little town.  They turned out really well, especially considering we had 4 kids that we had to get looking at the camera.  Every time I look at these pictures, I am amazed that we are now a family of 6.  It just doesn't seem possible!  Becki did a great job, as always, thanks Beck!  I am posting just a few of my favorites.  Enjoy!

Adoption

I want to share a touching video that was posted by some of our friends.  Because of health issues, Dan and Helen were not able to have any children.  Not too long after we had met them, Dan and Helen were able to adopt a little girl from China.  That was about 4 years ago.  They have been waiting and waiting for another.  Right now they are in China adopting their second daughter.  They posted a short video clip of them finally seeing and holding little Becca Mei.  Their joy and smiles in that moment brings tears to my eyes.

Click HERE to be directed to their blog.

Full time mommy x part time MT

I am happy to report that I have been working now as a Medical Transcriptionist for about 4 months and doing well.  I am very grateful that I was able to find a job so quick out of school, even though it ended up being not the best match for me.  While I was working for my first company, I got a reply back from another company that I had sent my resume to almost a month earlier.  They asked me to test with them if I was still interested in a job.  Thinking that it couldn't hurt, I did test, and a few days later I received notice that I passed.  They said that they wanted me to go ahead and sign the paperwork, but that I would be waiting for an available position to open up.  Well, things really couldn't have worked out perfectly.  I had had just about enough of my company when my new employer (On Time Transcription), notified me that a position was available.  I had been praying for help, and the Lord did answer.  Happily I was able to give my old employer 2 weeks notice and have been super pleased with my new one.  I love the work I do, but being able to work right now is the problem.  I really had hoped that Jack would've been content and a good napper by now.  If anything, he seems to be getting more needy.  The little guy is now cutting teeth and has decided that only 1 little nap is sufficient during the day, which is the only real time I can get on and type, but it is okay.  My kids are more important, and hopefully work will sort itself out.  There will be plenty of time for work in the future.  

As for pay, I am not making much right now.  But Chad and I have decided that when I have saved up enough money, we are taking the kids to Disneyland.  I have wanted to take the kids there for a long time.  We are thinking that I will have enough in my account to go sometime in February, which is very exciting.  Surprisingly, I have not spent 1 cent of my earnings and it has been good motivation for me to work.  I don't know if Chad is aware, but after Disneyland, I will saving up my money to go on a badly needed shopping spree...

Halloween!

Chad reminded me today that I still hadn't posted pictures from Halloween...oops!  Every time I look at these pictures, I cannot believe that I have 4 kids... Wow!  But all 4 kids ended up looking pretty cute this year.  Keaton was a skeleton, Sam was Wolverine, Emmi was an angel and Jack was the "frog," which the other 2 boys were at his age. 

The day before Halloween, we got invited to go to the Trunk or Treat at my mother-in-law's ward.  It was fun for the kids to start Halloween a day early and the Mower cousins went as well, which made it even more fun! 

Isn't he the cutest little frog!

Before the kids went Trick or Treating we ate our traditional "pumpkin pizza" from Papa Murphy's.  Being the food source, I was the one who got to stay home with Jack and pass out the candy, and Chad took the rest of the kids around.  When they got home we watched Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin and started feasting on the candy.  It was cold, but it was a great holiday!