Fourteen

Zach's fourteenth birthday didn't start out so great.

For starters that was the day we moved. I was so stressed about the move that the first words out of my mouth to him were not "Happy Birthday!", they were something along the lines of "People are going to be here in 10 minutes to help us move, are you all ready???"

It was a hot day of work, he had to say goodbye to the only home he's ever really known... etc, etc. Not the best way to celebrate his day. 

Knowing the day would actually suck, we celebrated early.  One last little happy moment in our home. 

I know he was disappointed and it was hard for him, but he handled it all with a grace and maturity of someone much older than just 14. 

The day did end on a high note as some friends of ours took us out to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

Moving day.

We moved.

I'm actually writing this post in January of 2018, but I'm dating it August of 2016.  (I have quite a bit of catching up to do.) I mention that because NOW I am ok with the move.  Just ok though.  There are so many things I miss about our old home.  Closet space... my kitchen... the back yard... the three car garage... the plumbing.... but I definitely don't miss the electric bill.

Anyways, our new home is HOME now, but I sure fought the good fight trying to keep that other house.  It broke all of our hearts to have to leave.  However, we compromised, and we were able to stay in the same neighborhood and ward. 

And as hard as that time was, and it WAS hard, we felt so, so loved.  For instance, my father bought us a new home to live in, my realtor and friend offered to sell our old house for free, I didn't have time to pack myself since I had to work, (I did what I could) so my sweet friends came to my home and packed my house up and cleaned it during the day.  There were moments where I just sat at work and literally cried with gratitude.  One of my friends helped me sell all the furniture I didn't have room to take with us, my work let me borrow a truck so I didn't have to rent one, and I apparently had record numbers of friends show up to help us move.   My mom and a friend or two or more helped me unpack... That's literally the tip of the iceberg over the course of a few months.  I cried more often than I can count, and not from my sorrows (though there were many ).  Maddie would often ask, "What did we do to deserve such amazing friends?"  I still don't know.

Since Nick was on a mission, his room was the first to be packed up. I spent a week one summer painting those stripes. 

Artwork I found behind a large bookcase.  It's either Zach's or Christopher's handiwork. 

One of my lovely friends serving my other friends who were serving me. 

I found sweet notes written on some of my boxes. 

At BJ and Jess's wedding one of my brothers asked me why I didn't just move home.  He really didn't understand why I would choose to stay where I had no family.  He really didn't understand that I had a created a whole new family of people I wasn't actually related to. Yes Salt Lake will always be a home for me, and hold a special place in my heart, and it is where my real flesh and blood family resides, but I feel just as loved and supported here and for now, this is where we belong. 

Even in, or especially in, a house half the size.

The moving truck :)

Going for a ride to get another load. 

Even the missionaries showed up to help.

The Fab Four.

We couldn't find half of Christopher's church clothes the next day....

Maddie wanted to decorate her new bathroom with this sign... I said yes because a little humor might go a long way. 

BJ & Jess

Hell musta froze over.

My baby brother got married.  He always told me he wouldn't.  And I believed him.   He was setting a disturbing example for my youngest boys of how awesome bachelorhood could be. 

But apparently he was just waiting for Jess and didn't know it. 

They dated for a long time and finally got married.  In New Hampshire.  Unfortunately I couldn't afford to take the kids, but I had a lovely time.  It was a beautiful wedding and perfect for them.

Once upon a time I had three brothers and no sisters.  I was blessed with one sister in law when I got married, and now I have been blessed with three more.  Apparently good things do come to those who wait.

Me and my brothers' wives.  Gwynette, Jess, me, and Amy.

My cute niece Claire provided the music for the ceremony.

At the rehearsal.  It made me giggle a little to see my dad "officiating". 

At the real ceremony.  Isn't she lovely? 

All my brothers clean up pretty nice, don't they? 

Rich and Gwynette

Tom and Amy.  Fun fact - she's actually pregnant in this picture, but didn't want anyone to know, so she walked around all evening with a glass of alcohol so no one would suspect. 

My parents and the groom. 

First Day of School

Christopher - 5th grade

Zachary - Freshman (First day of High School!)

Madison - 11th grade (this is her link crew shirt, she's obligated to wear it on the first day of school) 

My sweet friend Teresa left this treat in our fridge. 

She passed.

Maddie got her driving Learner's Permit.  It only took 5 tries. Would you believe me if I told you that Maddie on occasion has test taking anxieties and sometimes she can be her own worst enemy?  (Yes, she studied.  A LOT. )

(Spoiler Alert - I'm actually posting this in October 2017, Maddie will get her real license almost a year to the day later.)