On The Road Again....

I was so lucky to have my mom brave the long drive with me and the kids. I couldn't have done it without her. She is always there for my big moments. I love her.

The kids did really well considering how long the drive was. We stopped in Idaho for the night and all sleeping in one room a the hotel was interesting but even that wasn't terrible. My sweet friend Heidi had put together is huge bad of wrapped presents so the kids could have something to do it in the car. When they were good they got to unwrap a gift with their name on it. They thought it was so cool and it totally worked in helping them be good. She's such a good friend to have prepared all that. She even had ones for me in there.

Once we hit Oregon my jaw dropped at the beauty. It was some of the most beautiful county I've ever seen. The tree's were so majestic! Me and my mom were in heaven.

It's GO time!

It finally came time to drive to Oregon. The weather took a turn for the worse. It was 5 degree's but also has 65 mph winds. We had planned to get an early start but when we woke up Seth tried to warm up the moving truck and the engine was completely iced over. The news then said big trucks and semi's weren't allowed in the freeway because they were tipping over! My mom was driving in the van with me so we decided to go ahead and get on the road, so we gave daddy hugs and told him we'd see him in Oregon! Him and his dad followed just a few hours behind us. The winds were crazy but once we got out of Utah the weather was great, cold but great driving conditions anyway.

Driving away was the weirdest feeling. I guess you whole life changing will do that. It was kind of poetic we were on the road on December 30th, we stopped in Idaho for the night and continued on to Oregon on New Years Eve's. So we literally drove out of Utah at the end of the year and woke up to Oregon in our new home on New Years Day. It felt good to close out one of our toughest years yet and start of new one, day one in a new start.

I know moving is rough, change is rough. 

But I have faith that The Lord is mindful of our family.

I know there is purpose in moving away.

I have faith

Lunch Date

We couldn't get enough. haha. I think we said Goodbye twelve times but we had to fit in one more get together before I moved. This was the day before we drove out.

These three ladies are my sisters. I know without a doubt I could call on them for anything and I have for a lot of things. We've been through death of loved ones, new houses, adopting babies, loss of jobs, failed placements... you name it we have seen each other through many things and it only made us tighter!

I will literally be leaving a piece of myself here with these beautiful women!

My rocks

I had to have just one more girls day out with my mama and Cookie before moving.  These two women are my rocks. They have been the recipients of my phone calls over the years whether I needed advice, support, love, a pity party, tough love or laughter they were. My days with them are endless fun. I feel free and relaxed. I am going to miss having the support system close but I will still be calling them as much if not more:)

Chosen Family

The Gentleman on the left is one of the two close family members I have fighting cancer:( Him and Arlene have been grandparents to me since the day I was born by choice not blood... clearly that's a lovely common occurrence in my family tree:) I went to visit him a few days before leaving to Portland and as I was leaving I told him not to even think about going anywhere while I was gone. He just smiled and said "oh I'll be here darlin. Just waiting"

Loading Day

Moving is never fun, especially packing up the moving truck but when you have a moving crew like ours they sure get it done! It was 6 degree's when we started and it maybe warmed up to 12 degrees and still we had ward members, my visiting teacher, friends and neighbors come help us load, clean and take stuff to the dump! The support was absolutely overwhelming! I can't believe how many good people we are surrounded by.

So so thankful!

Rough GoodByes

Christmas Day we went and had dinner with my family at Chelsea & Jesse's. It was the last time we'd see them before we moved since we were driving out a few days later. Ugh. It got time to leave and my heart felt like dead weight. I couldn't control my tears. I hugged each of them as tight as I could. I loved being close to them. My kids adore their cousins! I've lived out of state before, I knew how far I would feel from them! I soaked in every moment of that night. 

I love my family!

Christmas Morning

 Our house was COMPLETELY boxed up this year so Christmas definitely had a different feel but you would have never guessed that with how excited the kids were for Christmas Morning. They were so spoiled this year! We had gotten rid of most of their toys while preparing to move because they had either grown out of them or they were on their last leg so they got some new ones this year and plus the Benson's gave them more then even we did because I think they knew they were going to miss having them close next year! So to say the least, they spoiled! 

Kids hands down make Christmas so much better. They bring a light to it. Shay was finally understanding of what was going on this year. She was all about opening gifts so much so she opened half of everybody else's before we could get to her! haha. She is so funny! 

They boys were so fun to watch their reactions were the best!

This year was filled with feeling so much love of our Savior, Family and Friends that have surrounded us with support, help and service this past year. 

We are so blessed!

Annual Christmas Card

I wish it was socially acceptable to post of picture like this on your Christmas Card but say

"This year has been hell, but we've lived, learned, cried and got back up. It wasn't easy but we're still a family!"

If I would have had enough guts that would have been my message this year:)

Texas

My big brother got a divorce a few months ago and I couldn't get him off my mind so me, my mom and Aunt Wan decided to jump on a plane the weekend before Christmas and go spend some much needed time with him and his kids.  It was a little rocky of a trip because he moved in with a girl he's dating and to be super honest she be crazy, but we still thoroughly enjoyed the time with my brother. I miss his kids so much it hurts so it felt so good to be with them and make some memories!