Hunter's wife

So I decided I am not a good wife of a hunter. There are amazing women around me that support and actually go hunting with there husbands. Not me and my cute hubby says he wouldn't want me there anyway! So Barrett took off early Friday for the combo Elk and Deer tag he was so excited to get! The plan was Friday thru Tuesday all along and I thought I would be fine with that(if he was employed.) But of course as he is packing and getting all his gear ready, I start to get quiet. Barrett sees the frustration and says "do you want me to come home Sunday?" I reply, "well no, I just don't understand why it takes 5 days, that is a really long time." Barrett: "OK I will come home Sunday." Ash:"Really it is OK, that was the plan all along and I will be fine. Don't come back for me, but what if you get a job interview or offer." Barrett: "I am coming back Sunday."
So as he called to confirm today that I need to pick him up and he will be there Sunday at 1, I was kind of happy, but also feeling bad. He hasn't got anything yet!

Today though Brock brought it all back into perspective for me. I was sitting down after dragging all 3 kids to the dollar store as promised, buy milk and pizza for dinner, and then in and out of the tub after practically mopping the whole floor due to splashing, to fold some of thier laundry. I started to explain to Brock how hard it is to do this parenting thing alone and how tired I am. I told him I really needed his help! He said "Mom I will help you" and started folding laundry with me, which lasted all of 2 items. Then he asked "did you not want Daddy to go hunting?" I replied, "Well no, yes, I guess so, I think it is good to have hobbies and I want him to enjoy his time and have fun. I know he loves it. It is just hard to do it alone." Thinking nothing of it and expecting to never hear about it again we carried on. We did our regular bedtime routine and were saying prayers, Sammi wanted Brock to help her, so he did. It started out the same old thing then in closing he shocked me when he said, "we ask thee to give Mom help from the Lord." I felt the tears coming, but tried to hold it together to give him a huge hug and say thank you for that special prayer! I am so amazed how kids can bring it back to perspective and say it like it is! I thought wow, even Brock knows what I should do. Have I prayed for help while Barrett is gone? No. I have prayed for protection for us both and to watch over us and a job. I didn't simply ask for help. All we have to do is ask and it shall be given us. What a good reminder for me! I am so grateful for my Lord and I know He can and will help me. I am not the perfect wife or mother and I don't have to be. But I do need to be willing to ask for help. Thanks Brock!! I just wanted to journal that so I could remember that special moment!

Sammi is 4!

Sammi had her birthday on Tuesday Sept. 29. I have to say how grateful we are to have her in our family! She is a little drama queen that from birth has always butt heads with me, but I love having another girl in the family. Barrett says we struggle because we are so much alike, I disagree. She is in pre-school for the first time in someones home this year and is doing great. She is learning her letters and numbers and making great friends. She loves going to school and can't wait for the days she gets to go. She loves girly things like dress ups, princesses, polly pockets and of course anything pink. She has taken gymnastics and can't wait to try dance. She also loves to play with the boys and do anything from super heroes to football with Brock and Dad. Her best friend is a little boy named Dylan whom she is going to also marry:)! She is so sweet and kind yet always wants her way!! She loves to help when she can and listens pretty good! I can't believe she is four already. I love seeing her grow and change into a beautiful little girl!
She keeps saying I am four and I got four parties. Which was true and will never happen again. We got together with my family on Saturday. I made the lovely Barbie cake, she loved it and got to help, that is all that matters(it was pretty scary in person). Then on Sunday Barrett's family came over and we celebrated again. My sister in law Nicole made that awesome present cake which delicious and beautiful. We decided she is making cakes for all the grand kids. She really did great and loves doing it! Then Tuesday was her actual birthday so we made her favorite dinner, rolled up pancakes, bacon and eggs. She also open the gifts from us. Then I felt like she should have a little friend party for the first time on Wed. She got sick so we postponed it Thursday. They all dressed up and we played games, ate cupcakes and that made party number 4. Her are the pictures!

1st day of school

Brock started 1st grade this year and after and lot of thinking we decided to go back to the public school, so I didn't have to drive an hour round trip 2 times a day. He was so excited to go to a brand new school and be with his friends and eat lunch! So far we like his teacher and seems like it will be a great fit for everyone!
Sammi also started pre school at a house close to our neighborhood! So far it has also been great! Briggs and I get to have some quality time which is usually him napping and me exercising, which is great for me!Don't they look great for there 1st day!! I must say I have pretty cute kiddos!

Camping/swim lessons

Barrett came home from Vegas for a weekend and we went camping as a family to Strawberry Lake and had a lot of fun! The kids love the dirt, hiking, fishing and marshmallows over the fire! We even had a little family water fight which mostly consisted of Barrett soaking me and the kids, but we tried really hard to get him! We slept in a tent for the first time in a while and it wasn't too bad, thanks to a heater! Briggs did really well and was Dad's little buddy! I love spending time outdoors with my family. We truly cherish those times we have not worrying about material things and just enjoying God's creations!

Brock did swimming lessons again this year with Josh. He was treading water, diving, front crawl, back stroke and even tried flips off the diving board. I couldn't believe a 6 yr old could tread water for 2 min, he did great even though he was the smallest and youngest by 2 years in his class. Sammi also did a week of swim lessons and loved it. She is really comfortable in the water now and can go under and almost swim a bit! They both got plenty of practice going everyday while we were in Vegas!

Some last summer fun!

We did have some fun as a family in Las Vegas and here are some of the pictures.We went back to the splash park on a Saturday this time so Daddy could join us, the kids had fun and loved feeding the ducks. I was a little scared for Briggs though because they were just his size and not shy.

Or Not!

So as I was just saying we are so grateful for the job that took him to Las Vegas for the last 2 months, but as of today he was laid off from that great company. Darn it! So if any you know of any jobs, let us know and I guess wish us luck. I know things will work out, but it was a pretty tough one to digest, I really never saw it coming! We still have many blessings and are grateful for all our friends and family who have already been there for us! I am hopeful and know Barrett will find work soon!

Back home together again!

So we are back in Utah and had a nice week together with no work. Barrett took the week off to spend some time together without having to work. He took Brock camping by themselves for a little boys trip. They took the 4 wheeler and did lots of fishing. Sammi and I had a movie night and painted our finger nails and toes. Unfortunately we don't have pictures but it was a good week home! I have a few posts about some things we did in Vegas this time so I will put those pictures up soon. All in all it wasn't too bad to be in Vegas for a few more weeks, but we are glad we are together in our home again. We definitely found a greater appreciation for the home we have with a yard! We also appreciate the time we are together now which is a great blessing! Also grateful for this beautiful state we live in and for the nice cool weather we had this weekend. We are very grateful for Barrett's job and that he is still employed and hopefully it will be closer to home now!