Changes

This is Dean bringing wood in - can you tell it's cold outside? (Oh - and BTW, Happy 15th Birthday, Dean!)

I have finally been shamed into another blog entry. I was checking other family blogs and...sure enough...they have my blog listed and now it has the date and title of the last entry for my blog as 7 months ago. I'm totally embarrassed and decided I better get back in the swing of blogging again. Coming to my own defense, we have had a few changes in the past few months. Our empty nest has become full again. At the beginning of October, Tara, Scott and Dean moved in with us and 2 weeks later, Jared, Arleen, Treven, Skylar, Noah, and Kayla moved in as well. It really is fun having them here. We're a bit short on living space, but we have been drawing up plans to add on to the house in the spring. I had forgotten about work charts and chores - Tara and I got that done right away for all the kids with rewards for when jobs get done quickly and with good attitudes. Every day the boys have to bring in kindling and wood for the fire (we don't use propane for heating because it is too expensive), they feed the 7 dogs, pick up dog poop (they like to do that in the early morning because it's frozen), help with dishes and help with other household duties. Tara, Arleen, and I make menus every two weeks, make a grocery list, and do the shopping. Things are actually working out very well. Our only complaint is that sometimes it just gets crowded, we'd like more space, and we all miss our family in the valley soooo much.

The kids like their new schools and are doing very well. Dean was "Student of the Week" last week and currently has straight A's!! He's really trying hard. Tara is the Ward Music Specialist and Choir Director, Arleen has been called as Cubmaster. Because Scott and Jared are only here on the weekends, it's been hard for the bishopric to give them callings or even get them to talk in church. The kids are really liking "snow days" (they have had 2 so far since they moved up here) and are hoping for another one later this week! We all hate the mud that inevitably comes after the snow melts, but we are even learning to deal with that. Whoever said that the only sure thing in life is change was sure right. But we have chosen to find all the wonderful things about the recent changes. Nothing is ever easy, but we all choose to be happy way up here in the White Mountains! I promise to post more regularly and will get some pictures up soon!