New Job, New Location and New Crib

Things are much better these days. John got a new job 10 minutes from home about 5 days before his severance ran out. So we never had to touch our savings and in fact saved a ton of money during that time. John is very happy. He says, " they did me a favor when they laid me off!" He loves the new company he works for, loves the people he works with, and really loves the 5 minute commute.

My store had it's best month ever in July, August has been a bit slow but I think that is a normal summer month thing. Brittney has been our Public Relations Vice President this summer and put together a competition for the cutest baby room. So visit our store's blog at http://abcbabyfurniture.blogspot.com/ and pick your favorite room. They are all adorable!!!



We just got word we will be moving to a new space next door that is twice the size of our current location. We are very excited to again be able to move out of our garage. I think this a space we can be in for years but I hope I am wrong and we have to move again to a bigger location in a few years.

Here is a picture of one of our new cribs. This one is called the Nadia. It converts to a toddler bed, day bed and full size bed. It is a Great crib and I like it because it is convertible but doesn't have to be placed against the wall the long way.

The job search

Challenges come and go and we are anxious for this challenge to be gone.  I just wish we could enjoy our time together but the worry just hangs over our heads no matter what we do.  I think we both know things will be fine but your mind starts to wonder and worry how long we might be out of a job.  The one thing we both could do without is the quote we hear from many people which is "this is such a bad time to be out of work."  There are jobs out there for manufacturing management and John has had several interviews.  He is still in the running for several jobs, it is just the hiring process is VERY LONG!  I have GREAT Faith in John (and Heavenly Father of Course.)  He has a GREAT resume and I don't just mean the paper.  He has accomplished  many great things in his career and everyone he speaks with is very impressed with him and his accomplishments.  It is just finding the right fit where he isn't over qualified or under qualified.  It will come, we just need to be patient.  Poor guy he is just going crazy.  He does work long hours looking, applying, networking etc.

I found this great quote.  This is our new motto! 

As a being of power, intelligence, and the master of his own thoughts, a man holds the key to every situation, to make his life what he chooses it to be. When he discovers the divine power within his soul, he can lead his life to a God-like nature. If one dreams lofty dreams, so shall he become. There is magic in the way one thinks. If we expect the worst, we will get the worst. If we expect the best, we will receive the best. If we train our minds to have faith in God and ourselves, we are using one of the great laws of life. If we think and live righteously, happiness will find its place in our lives. It is amazing when we expect the best how forces are set in motion which cause the best to materialize. (83-02) Our thoughts more than circumstances determine the course of our lives. Outward circumstances do not determine the course of our lives as much as the thoughts that habitually occupy our minds. These thoughts carve their impression on our faces, in our hearts, and on the tablet of our eternal souls.

(Howard W. Hunter, The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 74.)

Thanks to all our family and friends for all the prayers, care and concern for us.  Do keep calling John, he always seems very uplifted when he has spoken with someone calling to see how he is doing.

Natalie turned 15 YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!

Any one that knows me, knows I have tried to keep Natalie from growing into the teen years. I told her when she turned 13 that she was 12A and would turn 12b the following year and 12c the next. I have endured 2 teenage girls and do NOT want to do it again. I was trying at all costs to avoid the 14th and 15th year of a teenage girl in our home. Well as hard as I have tried she is truly 15 now. We have plenty of eye rolls etc to show for it. I have to say though, as teenagers go she is quite pleasant, but you know how teenagers go haha. I saw a bumper sticker that said "you can't scare me I have teenagers" and I think that sooo sums them up!

Natalie is quite the anomaly to all of us. She has amazed us her whole entire life. Thus the picture of her in the pool wearing every possible swimming device we owned in a wading pool. This kind of sums her up. She has more of a social life that all the rest of us put together. She has the best luck in the world. She wins EVERYTHING!!!. We sure are grateful she is a part of our family because she keeps us all guessing what the future brings. Happy 15th Natalie!
You are a GREAT Kid and we sure LOVE you!

Isn't she adorable!!!

The Men in my life....

My favorite guy, John, lost his job on Monday. He is showing great faith and perserverance and has hit the ground running looking for a new job. I believe all will be well somehow someway. We keep hearing it is hard times out there but we do see many jobs that would be a good fit for John. We are glad we have tried to be frugal with our money and hope to survive without too much of a hitch. However we are both hard workers and we will survive!!! and I'm sure we will be better for it. John is an amazing person. Not many people know of his talents. He has made many good changes in every job he has worked. Mostly he gives every person the respect they deserve no matter what their position and helps them be the best and produce the best they can. He makes things happen by making the employees a team and raising each to their potential. He is a kind sole and a VERY hard and SMart worker. So I believe with all that and the Lords help we will be fine. I am VERY grateful for such a wonderful man!!!

Another of my favorite guys, my Dad, under went surgery to take out his prostate over a week ago. We went to the Dr's today and all is well. The cancer didn't spread at all so all he has to do is heal. He was hillarious in the hospital. He suffered VERY little pain and had all the nursed wrapped around his little finger. He told my sister, my mother and myself EXACTLY what a prostate does!!! WOW! He is doing well and can't wait to get back to work at 74 years of age. He is amazing and in GREAT health aparently!

My favorite little man either warms my heart in love or frustration!!! More love than frustration fortunatley. I have LOVED seeing life through the eyes of a little boy! He is sooo happy to have his daddy home. If only we were independantly wealthy!!! We are all loving the TIME together! Too bad it takes sooo much time to produce $$$.

I feel So Blessed to have such outstanding Men in my life!!!

Santa our Guitar Hero

I had to post this one last Christmas picture because

I'm sure it won't happen for too many more years.

I'm glad it happened this year. He asked for Guitar Hero.

How about THAT...

Maybe there is some magic to that ole' St. Nick!

Merry Christma$

Christma$ was lots of fun as usual.

I know my girls need clothes, however they never like what I give them sooo...

this year I gave all the girls a crisp $100 bill to buy their own. It was GREAT! They all loved it and enjoyed the shopping. The only question is How do I surprise them next year. Natalie was pretty cute. She was the first to discover the $100 and the excitement was priceless. Brittney didn't want any Christmas morning pictures. Personally I think they are adorable and don't need makeup. But I sure enjoy her excitement at Christmas. The little girl peaks out every so often!

I know we are the VERY last family in the whole wide world to get one of these!

We are sure enjoying it...

The guitars are now a permanent fixture in our family room.

Natalie made most of our Christmas Dinner

which was GREAT fun for her and GREAT fun for me. She did a great job also, everything was VERY Yummy!

We sure enjoyed having the girls home and I know Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed them as well.

There is nothing like a good ole Christmas at home!!!

More Christmas dipping chocolates....

One of my favorite traditions is dipping Chocolates.

Of course I have the idealic view that they love it too,

but not soo much now that they are teenagers.

Teenagers WOE IS ME!!!