More and More Changes

              The last 2 months have been months of constant change and lots of stress.  After Randy was laid-off, he changed his Master's program back to Education and started substitute teaching.  He seemed to really enjoy it and one school specifically calls him to come and sub.  The bad part about that is that he got a full-time job and now doesn't have time to sub.  I can tell that he is really missing it and it makes him feel bad that he can't help these teachers when they need it. 
               I am really glad that he got a job, but it really isn't what he was looking for.  It doesn't pay very well and he is used to being management not being managed, but you have to do what is necessary to take care of your family.  He is trying really hard to make the best of it and I am very proud of him.
              He is also being interviewed for a position with a company just outside of Boston.  Now that would be a BIG change.  He has been thru 3 interviews and they are going to schedule 3 more interviews before flying him out there for a face to face interview.  I am torn about it.  On one hand, I would miss everything that I have here...my family, my home, my ward, and my job.  On the other hand, it would be a great experience for all of us to learn about other areas of the country, we would get a new home, new friends and I could stay home with the kids.  Plus we would be where the beginning of our country happened and there is so much we could learn.  Like I said, more changes and lots of stress.
              I have also been going thru many changes.  I changed branches with AFCU and now I am working at the Riverdale Wal-Mart Branch.  I like the new branch, however I miss the Harrison Branch very much...the regular members, my crazy friends (which has been the hardest part of going somewhere new.  My friends were the best part of work!) and getting off at 6:15.  At the Wal-Mart branch I work until 7:15.  It is really hard but I can work 4 10-hour shifts and have an extra day at home.
            All of these changes have effected the kids the most.  I feel like they are taking on more responsibility than they should have to, but they have been troopers.  Alex and Preston have the most responsibility and they have complained the least.  I have AWESOME kids!
            Emma is really struggling.  In the last 2 months, she went from Casper's Daycare to my sister-in-laws to home.  Randy being home for awhile has spoiled her.  She is now going back to Casper's and it is not going well.  She throws tantrums in the morning and won't let go of me when I drop her off.  It breaks my heart.  This morning was especially hard.  Getting her dressed was horrible.  I had to hold her down and have Preston put on her clothes.  She wouldn't put on her shoes, so she rode to daycare barefoot.  It was very sad.  I didn't even get to do her hair.  I hope that we will be able to take her back to my sister-in-laws because she seemed very happy there.
             I hope that you don't mind me sharing so much.  It has been very theraputic sharing my story with my friends and family that read my blog.  I also wanted to thank all of you for the support that you have shown our family.  We love you all!

Whoo Hoo!!!

            Emma is potty trained!  NO MORE DIAPERS.  You can't tell that I am excited can you?  I have been buying diapers for 14 years straight.  We started stocking up on diapers when we found out that we were having Alex.  When Alex was 15 months old, we had Preston.  Now I had 2 in diapers.
            When Connor was born, Alex was potty trained but Preston was still in Pull-ups at night.  When Jonah was born, Connor was still in diapers (he didn't potty train til he was 4).  So I had 2 in diapers again.  When Emma was born, Jonah was STILL in diapers. 
             As you can see I have never had a moment when I haven't been buying those horrible diapers.  It's actually kind of weird.  Emma has been trained for about 3 weeks and I still have that thought, "Is Emma out of diapers?"  I am positive it won't take long to get used to it. :o)
      

Easter

Time to color eggs.  Jonah got the first egg this year.  He picked yellow.

The gang.  I can't believe how big they all are!  Alex is going to be 14 this year and he is taller than me!!!

I think they got tired of me saying "One more"

What pretty eggs!

Alex decided to color his egg 2 different colors.

Easter Morning!  Emma just found her Easter basket.

Now that Emma is potty trained, the Easter Bunny brought her some new panties!  They have her favorite characters on them.  Kai-lan, Blue's Clues, Spongebob, Dora and Wonder Pets.

Lots of treats!  Great way for the dentist to make some more money!!!

On the hunt for their Easter eggs!

Getting ready to go to Grandma's house.  Emma got her hair curled and it turned out really cute!

Dawnelle and Rylee on the hunt for eggs at Grandma's

It looks like Hailey found her eggs.

Alex is counting his eggs to make sure that he found all 10.

This is Makayla.  Isn't she a cutie?  She is Jarrod and Lynette's little girl.  This is her first Easter.  She really didn't care about finding eggs.  She just wanted to chew on her new toys.

Rylee found all her eggs.

The kids are playing with the swing that is hanging in the tree.  It keeps them busy for hours.

While Hailey waited for her turn, she decided to climb the tree.

It was a very good Easter this year.  We watched Conference and spent the whole day with family.

The Circus

In March, my parents took the family to the circus.  They had never been to the circus before.  The kids had a great time.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go because I had to work.

The dancing bear and his trainer.

Scary tigers.

Randy asked Emma if she wanted to ride the elephant.  She freaked out. 

Here is the fam. Front row: Dawnelle, Noah, Jarrod.  Back row: Grandma, Rylee (she is hidden), Connor, Spencer, Jonah, and Hunter.

Hunter and Hailey

Grandma, Spencer, Emma, Grandpa and Jonah.