Ok the details. Rob got a job with AAPC (The American Academy of Professional Coders). It is a company that teaches medical personnel all of the codes assigned to their procedures by insurance companies. He will be a Marketing Specialist. It is a job here in Salt Lake. We are so excited. There is a lot to be said about the adventure of moving away but we are so happy to be close to family. We are definitely needed right now and know that Heavenly Father orchestrated events so that we could be here.
He starts on Monday.
I wish I could express what a blessing this is. We have had a really difficult two years. We have felt exhausted by trial at times and our faith in Heavenly Father's love for us was tested. There is always more than one reason for our trials and although I feel that part of the reason for our trials was so that we could be here to help family they were also here to help us. We have been humbled and have increased our faith in the plan of salvation. What a blessing to be married to Rob. I have learned so much being his wife. This trial has strengthened my love and appreciation for him. We have taken turns holding each other up and because of it we are a stronger family than before.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and faith. Your encouragement has helped me on some difficult days.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Hooray II !
Do you know that feeling when you have been holding your breath for a long time and then finally get to take a breath. Well after a year of holding our breath Rob got a job yesterday. Hooray!
Time to start breathing again.
We are so blessed.
Time to start breathing again.
We are so blessed.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving
I am thankful for doctors.
I am thankful for EKGs.
I am thankful for Pacemakers.
I am thankful for a husband who is out of work so he could take over for me.
I am thankful for my Mother and Father-in-law who did everything in there power to help.
I am thankful that I am here and not in Arkansas (so far away from my Mom).
I am thankful that Heavenly Father set up this week so that it would go smoothly despite the scariness, despite the uncertainty.
I am thankful for the Holy Ghost that gave me peace and gave my Mom the peace and strength to get through.
I am grateful for Thanksgiving and that Heavenly Father chose this week for everything to happen. He did something similar 10 years ago Easter. These holidays are some of the best reminders of the Savior for me. It's good to be reminded of The Plan of Salvation when life gets hard or scary.
I am thankful that Heavenly Father wants my Mom here longer.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for EKGs.
I am thankful for Pacemakers.
I am thankful for a husband who is out of work so he could take over for me.
I am thankful for my Mother and Father-in-law who did everything in there power to help.
I am thankful that I am here and not in Arkansas (so far away from my Mom).
I am thankful that Heavenly Father set up this week so that it would go smoothly despite the scariness, despite the uncertainty.
I am thankful for the Holy Ghost that gave me peace and gave my Mom the peace and strength to get through.
I am grateful for Thanksgiving and that Heavenly Father chose this week for everything to happen. He did something similar 10 years ago Easter. These holidays are some of the best reminders of the Savior for me. It's good to be reminded of The Plan of Salvation when life gets hard or scary.
I am thankful that Heavenly Father wants my Mom here longer.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hooray!
You remember Charlie Brown and his happy dance? Well picture me doing that dance. Rob just got a national agent for his book. She is sending it to 9 or 10 big national publishers. Cross your fingers for us.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Night of the Living Dead
Last week, the week before Halloween was a week to be remembered. Rob's parents went to California for a much needed vacation. Our children were all sick with fevers and Rob left on Wednesday for a writers convention in California. So the week of Halloween I was alone with three sick children.
Monday night of said week Rob and I sat down to watch some older scary movies. We put in a few that were very tame and fun but then we decided to watch The Night of The Living Dead. I got 30 minutes into the movie. (The movie takes place in an old house with the living people inside trying to keep the zombies out). Knowing that shortly I would be alone for 3 nights I called it quits on the movie but it was too late the damage had already been done.
Fast forward to Wednesday night. Rob is in California and I am home with my sickies. Max being the sickest slept with me in front of the TV. At 1:00 he woke up and was wide awake until 3:30am. But we were ok right? TV, lights on all over the house, doors locked and one slightly barricaded. No problem. Until Bang! At 3:30 am the transformer behind the house blew and all of the lights went out. Holy Crap! So I talked myself out of panic and I searched all over the house for the flashlight that Sammy loves to play with. I couldn't find it. The phone however would light up long enough to tell me there was no service so I wandered around the house clicking the light on over and over again reminding myself to not think of Zombies and trying to come up with a plan. No lights, no phone (My cellphone was even out of commission because I hadn't charged it). So I did the only thing I could do. I went into the kids room. I closed the door and set my back up against the door and we sang primary songs until the power came on an hour later.
The moral: Stop watching scary movies Erin!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
West High
I loved this post! If you want to read it on its original blog go here
West, Our Alma Mater
by Robison Wells
Thomas Wolfe once wrote: "He saw now that you can't go home again--not ever. There was no road back." This was in Wolfe's book You Can't Go Home Again. It was dedicated to a son who had moved out, got his MBA, couldn't find a job and wanted to move back in. (His son's name was Rob.)
No, actually the quote refers to how things change and you can never go back to the way they once were. Heraclitus similarly said that "It is impossible to step into the same river twice." And thus ends my Wikipedia research into the topic.
What I actually want to talk about is how my wife and I went to our old high school's football game last week, and it was fairly disappointing.
Let me set the scene: we were going on a date, and we suffer from crippling, Dickensian poverty. So, why not go to a high school football game!? Also: I was suffering from crippling, Dickensian swine flu (aka "hamthrax"). So, why not go sit in the cold for several hours and cough on teenagers!? (Have no fear, however, because no teenagers were in attendance. More on that later.)
Here are the details. I went to West High School, which is the holiest of all high schools, as evidenced by the fact that President Monson also attended it. (Sidenote: President Monson also got an MBA from BYU.) (Coincidence??? I think not.) (What I'm saying is that he and I are somewhat academically similar in a few minor details.)
Anyway, back in the day (when I was a freshman), West High took state in football, and we were really awesome, and all other high schools bowed to us and left flowers on the front steps. Ever since then, we've kind of sucked. (Translated: we really really suck.)
In the local newspaper's football preview, they quoted a West High player as saying "We have the noodles, we have the cheese, we have the milk, we have the butter," Scott said. "We just need to get the temperature right and stir it. That's all we need to do." I think he makes an excellent point: West High is better at home ec than at football.
Anyway, last week's game was at Olympus High, which is a rich kid high school. They're a decent team, I guess, if you like winning. (The newspaper preview quoted the coach as saying "'That's definitely our goal here and that's the expectations of our community -- that we compete for a region and state championship,' Smith said.")
(Awesome sidenote: the top two notable Olympus alumni listed on Wikipedia are: Karl Rove and Mark Hoffman (murderer). Compare that to West's President Thomas S. Monson. I think we've learned an important lesson.)
So, we at least expected an exciting game, even though Olympus Titans were going to destroy the West High Macaroni and Cheeses. But what was the actual score? 7-6. But that's because it was a fierce defensive battle, right? No. It's because they both sucked.
Man, I haven't gone to a high school football game since I graduated oh-so-many years ago. Do they all stink like this? I swear that some of the players had never seen a football before, let alone contemplated what they were supposed to do with it.
This was exacerbated by refs who had apparently never watched a game. Now, I know that everyone complains about refs, but my complaining is 100% legitimate. Here's a question (because high school football rules might be different from college rules): can two personal fouls be called on the same team on the same play? And can the refs then give a 30-frickin'-yard penalty to that team? If so, that's crap. I mean, I don't doubt that the West High players were throwing punches; that's what we do over there. But 30 yards? That's ridiculous. (It was probably because our punches could have damaged the expensive dental work of the Olympus High Pretty Boys, and, as was readily apparent, the refs' sole responsibility was ensuring that Olympus suffer no harm whatsoever, physical, mental or psychological.) (West got a ten yard penalty for "Hurting the Feelings of the Passer".)
Anyway. The game wasn't the most appalling part of the evening. That honor is bestowed on the students in the crowd. (I'm defining "crowd" here as "three kids, not sitting next to each other".) I lay the blame for the lack of students solely on the shoulders of the Olympus student body. After all, it was an away game for West, and they suck, so you can't expect too many Macaroni and Cheesers to travel all the way across town. (I don't doubt many of them did, but then they decide to burglarize the rich people's homes instead of attend the game.)
Perhaps I'm being too harsh. By the end of the first quarter, there was a good little student section in the Olympus bleachers. They just weren't watching the game. When things would happen, good or bad, there was generally no reaction from the jabbering students. When Olympus scored a touchdown--and I'm not making this up--there was about a twenty second delay before the students cheered, because they weren't watching. (Here's my hypothesis: they were all looking at their phones, and one of their parents texted them that Olympus had scored. Then that student posted it as his Facebook status. That's how the others found out.)
(As a sidenote: here's one area where West was superior: cheerleaders. This isn't to say that West's cheerleaders were phenomenal, but I swear, I have never seen a more apathetic, uninterested bunch of cheerleaders than Olympus's. I promise this is true: at one point a little girl who couldn't have been more than four years old went out and stood with the cheerleaders--and she was more on-beat than sixty percent of them.)
(Another sidenote, which will probably cause embarrassment if any students google "Olympus High School Cheerleaders" and find this blog: my wife had to use the bathroom before the game and found herself in the restroom with the cheerleaders while they were doing their hair and painting their faces. One girl is reported to have said "I want to put Spencer's number on my cheek. But then everyone will think that I like him." Someone replied "You totally like him!" She said "I do not!" So, if Spencer is reading this: you've heard the absolute truth: just because she painted your number on her face, she doesn't really like you. Duh.)
Anyway. It was still loads of fun. And there was a parent behind us who kept shouting extremely violent advice to the West High players. That's what we do over there. It makes you wonder how President Monson turned out so good.
West, Our Alma Mater
by Robison Wells
Thomas Wolfe once wrote: "He saw now that you can't go home again--not ever. There was no road back." This was in Wolfe's book You Can't Go Home Again. It was dedicated to a son who had moved out, got his MBA, couldn't find a job and wanted to move back in. (His son's name was Rob.)
No, actually the quote refers to how things change and you can never go back to the way they once were. Heraclitus similarly said that "It is impossible to step into the same river twice." And thus ends my Wikipedia research into the topic.
What I actually want to talk about is how my wife and I went to our old high school's football game last week, and it was fairly disappointing.
Let me set the scene: we were going on a date, and we suffer from crippling, Dickensian poverty. So, why not go to a high school football game!? Also: I was suffering from crippling, Dickensian swine flu (aka "hamthrax"). So, why not go sit in the cold for several hours and cough on teenagers!? (Have no fear, however, because no teenagers were in attendance. More on that later.)
Here are the details. I went to West High School, which is the holiest of all high schools, as evidenced by the fact that President Monson also attended it. (Sidenote: President Monson also got an MBA from BYU.) (Coincidence??? I think not.) (What I'm saying is that he and I are somewhat academically similar in a few minor details.)
Anyway, back in the day (when I was a freshman), West High took state in football, and we were really awesome, and all other high schools bowed to us and left flowers on the front steps. Ever since then, we've kind of sucked. (Translated: we really really suck.)
In the local newspaper's football preview, they quoted a West High player as saying "We have the noodles, we have the cheese, we have the milk, we have the butter," Scott said. "We just need to get the temperature right and stir it. That's all we need to do." I think he makes an excellent point: West High is better at home ec than at football.
Anyway, last week's game was at Olympus High, which is a rich kid high school. They're a decent team, I guess, if you like winning. (The newspaper preview quoted the coach as saying "'That's definitely our goal here and that's the expectations of our community -- that we compete for a region and state championship,' Smith said.")
(Awesome sidenote: the top two notable Olympus alumni listed on Wikipedia are: Karl Rove and Mark Hoffman (murderer). Compare that to West's President Thomas S. Monson. I think we've learned an important lesson.)
So, we at least expected an exciting game, even though Olympus Titans were going to destroy the West High Macaroni and Cheeses. But what was the actual score? 7-6. But that's because it was a fierce defensive battle, right? No. It's because they both sucked.
Man, I haven't gone to a high school football game since I graduated oh-so-many years ago. Do they all stink like this? I swear that some of the players had never seen a football before, let alone contemplated what they were supposed to do with it.
This was exacerbated by refs who had apparently never watched a game. Now, I know that everyone complains about refs, but my complaining is 100% legitimate. Here's a question (because high school football rules might be different from college rules): can two personal fouls be called on the same team on the same play? And can the refs then give a 30-frickin'-yard penalty to that team? If so, that's crap. I mean, I don't doubt that the West High players were throwing punches; that's what we do over there. But 30 yards? That's ridiculous. (It was probably because our punches could have damaged the expensive dental work of the Olympus High Pretty Boys, and, as was readily apparent, the refs' sole responsibility was ensuring that Olympus suffer no harm whatsoever, physical, mental or psychological.) (West got a ten yard penalty for "Hurting the Feelings of the Passer".)
Anyway. The game wasn't the most appalling part of the evening. That honor is bestowed on the students in the crowd. (I'm defining "crowd" here as "three kids, not sitting next to each other".) I lay the blame for the lack of students solely on the shoulders of the Olympus student body. After all, it was an away game for West, and they suck, so you can't expect too many Macaroni and Cheesers to travel all the way across town. (I don't doubt many of them did, but then they decide to burglarize the rich people's homes instead of attend the game.)
Perhaps I'm being too harsh. By the end of the first quarter, there was a good little student section in the Olympus bleachers. They just weren't watching the game. When things would happen, good or bad, there was generally no reaction from the jabbering students. When Olympus scored a touchdown--and I'm not making this up--there was about a twenty second delay before the students cheered, because they weren't watching. (Here's my hypothesis: they were all looking at their phones, and one of their parents texted them that Olympus had scored. Then that student posted it as his Facebook status. That's how the others found out.)
(As a sidenote: here's one area where West was superior: cheerleaders. This isn't to say that West's cheerleaders were phenomenal, but I swear, I have never seen a more apathetic, uninterested bunch of cheerleaders than Olympus's. I promise this is true: at one point a little girl who couldn't have been more than four years old went out and stood with the cheerleaders--and she was more on-beat than sixty percent of them.)
(Another sidenote, which will probably cause embarrassment if any students google "Olympus High School Cheerleaders" and find this blog: my wife had to use the bathroom before the game and found herself in the restroom with the cheerleaders while they were doing their hair and painting their faces. One girl is reported to have said "I want to put Spencer's number on my cheek. But then everyone will think that I like him." Someone replied "You totally like him!" She said "I do not!" So, if Spencer is reading this: you've heard the absolute truth: just because she painted your number on her face, she doesn't really like you. Duh.)
Anyway. It was still loads of fun. And there was a parent behind us who kept shouting extremely violent advice to the West High players. That's what we do over there. It makes you wonder how President Monson turned out so good.
Cascade Springs
We went to Cascade Springs up American Fork canyon on Saturday with Robert and Patty and Rob's brother Dan and his family. 
Faith
For a year now Rob and I have been stretched. Our faith in Heavenly Father and his love has grown and our willingness to accept His will has increased. I knew that Rob and I were learning a lot from our experiences but I didn't realize that Holly was learning a lot until recently.
A few weeks ago Rob and I went to the temple. We got in the car to take the kids to my Mom's and asked Holly to say our morning prayer. Without any prompting Holly asked Heavenly Father to bless Rob and I to feel the Holy Ghost in the temple.
Today for morning prayers Holly asked Heavenly Father to bless Rob that he can get the job in New Jersey and then added "but it's ok if he doesn't".
I thought that I had shielded my kids from really understanding what was going on. I guess they listen to family prayers and grown up conversation more than I realized. Holly's faith has strengthened my faith.
A few weeks ago Rob and I went to the temple. We got in the car to take the kids to my Mom's and asked Holly to say our morning prayer. Without any prompting Holly asked Heavenly Father to bless Rob and I to feel the Holy Ghost in the temple.
Today for morning prayers Holly asked Heavenly Father to bless Rob that he can get the job in New Jersey and then added "but it's ok if he doesn't".
I thought that I had shielded my kids from really understanding what was going on. I guess they listen to family prayers and grown up conversation more than I realized. Holly's faith has strengthened my faith.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Getting Old Really Fast.
O.k. I know I already posted today but I had to post this because it makes me laugh
Saturday I went to a baby shower for my cousin. During the opening of the presents an older woman (I am talking gray hair) leaned over to me and said "Back when we were having children we got diaper services at baby showers". SERIOUSLY?!
Holly just informed me that her best friend (imaginary friend) Belle's grandparents are ages 34 and 35. WHAT?!
I see a theme here. When did I become an old lady. I haven't even found serious gray hair yet.
Saturday I went to a baby shower for my cousin. During the opening of the presents an older woman (I am talking gray hair) leaned over to me and said "Back when we were having children we got diaper services at baby showers". SERIOUSLY?!
Holly just informed me that her best friend (imaginary friend) Belle's grandparents are ages 34 and 35. WHAT?!
I see a theme here. When did I become an old lady. I haven't even found serious gray hair yet.
Sam-isms
"When Max comes I will hug him and kiss him and then I will bonk him hard."
(In the middle of the primary program as loud as he could) "The earth is a circle"
"Max Dang it Stephen Wells!"
"Mom the police are watching the house."
"President Monson said I could wear pajama pants to church."
"When Holly moves away I can have the top bunk."
"My favorite animal is an elephant because you can ride on it in an animal parade."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Gyoza Bust!
We had a gyoza bust last night. Gyoza are similar to Chinese potstickers. My Father-in-law served a mission for our church when he was 19 to Japan. One of the things he brought back was a love for Japanese food. What an awesome gift to the rest of the family.
Here he is teaching the rest of us to make them. Holly and Sam loved it!
Grandpa also told us a few words in Japanese and sang a children's song in Japanese for us.
Thanks Grandpa! What a wonderful tradition!
Here he is teaching the rest of us to make them. Holly and Sam loved it!
Grandpa also told us a few words in Japanese and sang a children's song in Japanese for us.
Thanks Grandpa! What a wonderful tradition!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
2nd grade
I have been so nervous to send Holly back to school. So nervous I had nightmares that I got her to school late.
Holly however hasn't had a second of anxiety. She has been jumping up and down excited even though her new school is twice the size of her old school and is in downtown Salt Lake instead of the foothills of happy valley.
Seriously I am hyperventilating just thinking about it. She is doing great though and already has a ton of friends.
Hooray for a brave and awesome girl!
Holly however hasn't had a second of anxiety. She has been jumping up and down excited even though her new school is twice the size of her old school and is in downtown Salt Lake instead of the foothills of happy valley.
Seriously I am hyperventilating just thinking about it. She is doing great though and already has a ton of friends.
Hooray for a brave and awesome girl!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Happy #4 Sam!
Sam is 4 or was 4 on the 18th. Birthdays around here seem to last an entire week.
Jammers,
I can't believe you are 4! It was just yesterday that I was pulling you away from the street or trying to convince you that it was safe to walk on shiny floors, or chasing you and your runaway bike. You have grown up so much even in the last 6 months. Now your favorite things are swinging on your swing; playing in the irrigation water; and chasing/tackling anyone convenient.
I love you Sam! What an awesome boy you are! What a blessing you are to our family!
Love
Mom
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Surrounded
I don't know if any of you feel this way but I often feel like I am surrounded by the most incredible women. Women who make me want to be a better person because they are so good.
My Mom who gave me the one piece of advice growing up that I have based all of my decisions and day to day life on and it has made all the difference.
My sister Christina who has put up with a pretty difficult disease since she was 5 and has done it with incredible finesse.
My sisters Kathi and Valeri who are such fighters. Women who keep going and don't give up.
Alana who I will always consider my sister and who can beautify anything with a touch.
My Cousins Autumn and Emily who are both so talented that I am often in awe. Autumn who has been writing since she could put letters on a page and Emily who sings and bakes and anything else she puts her mind to.
My cousins Alysia and Amanda who never forgot my birthday growing up and who inspire me still to be friendly and celebrate days that are important to the ones I love.
My childhood through adulthood friends Louena, Tia, and Christy who are so talented and funny that I hope they are rubbing off on me. Louena who is a beautiful writer and is the most graceful person I know. Tia who has wanted to be a nurse ever since we met and is awesome at it! Christy who is a gifted mother and friend (so good at making everyone feel important).
My mother-in-law Patty who is so patient in trial and so focused on being a wonderful grandma that she makes both look effortless.
My sisters-in-law Allison and Dawn. Allison who seriously is good at whatever she picks up to do. Dawn who is the hardest worker I know and is blessed with tons of musical ability.
My dear friend Birgitte who is so together, organized and smart but is also so much fun to be around (One of the funnest Moms I know).
All of these are just scratching the surface. I could write a blog about each one.
And to everyone else that I didn't mention; my cousins, aunts, friends, Relief Society sisters (holy cow BYU 173rd ward!). I could go on and on. If you are reading this post and you are a woman I am in awe of you. You might even think that I barely know you but rest assured I have noticed how wonderful you are and you have made a difference in how I live my life.
My Mom who gave me the one piece of advice growing up that I have based all of my decisions and day to day life on and it has made all the difference.
My sister Christina who has put up with a pretty difficult disease since she was 5 and has done it with incredible finesse.
My sisters Kathi and Valeri who are such fighters. Women who keep going and don't give up.
Alana who I will always consider my sister and who can beautify anything with a touch.
My Cousins Autumn and Emily who are both so talented that I am often in awe. Autumn who has been writing since she could put letters on a page and Emily who sings and bakes and anything else she puts her mind to.
My cousins Alysia and Amanda who never forgot my birthday growing up and who inspire me still to be friendly and celebrate days that are important to the ones I love.
My childhood through adulthood friends Louena, Tia, and Christy who are so talented and funny that I hope they are rubbing off on me. Louena who is a beautiful writer and is the most graceful person I know. Tia who has wanted to be a nurse ever since we met and is awesome at it! Christy who is a gifted mother and friend (so good at making everyone feel important).
My mother-in-law Patty who is so patient in trial and so focused on being a wonderful grandma that she makes both look effortless.
My sisters-in-law Allison and Dawn. Allison who seriously is good at whatever she picks up to do. Dawn who is the hardest worker I know and is blessed with tons of musical ability.
My dear friend Birgitte who is so together, organized and smart but is also so much fun to be around (One of the funnest Moms I know).
All of these are just scratching the surface. I could write a blog about each one.
And to everyone else that I didn't mention; my cousins, aunts, friends, Relief Society sisters (holy cow BYU 173rd ward!). I could go on and on. If you are reading this post and you are a woman I am in awe of you. You might even think that I barely know you but rest assured I have noticed how wonderful you are and you have made a difference in how I live my life.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Summer
Here are some pictures of our summer so far.
A rainy day in June (We have had many of those this month)
Holly hiking Ensign Peek with Rob
Stake Lagoon Day
It rained so our fun at Lagoon was limited to a Train ride, a Carousel ride and a treat in Pioneer Village. But this is what the rain left behind.
Camping out in the back yard with cousins.
The Float!
One more month of fun and then back to school. I am not ready. I am never ready. I am just glad that Sam has one more year with me before Kindergarten.
A rainy day in June (We have had many of those this month)
Holly hiking Ensign Peek with Rob
Stake Lagoon Day
It rained so our fun at Lagoon was limited to a Train ride, a Carousel ride and a treat in Pioneer Village. But this is what the rain left behind.
Camping out in the back yard with cousins.
The Float!
One more month of fun and then back to school. I am not ready. I am never ready. I am just glad that Sam has one more year with me before Kindergarten.
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