Holy Cow, I feel very blessed

Hey everyone, it's been a while since I've posted. We've been busy going through the refiner's fire. Holy COW! Here's the "Reader's Digest" version of our life the past little bit.

Well, first off I have been stressing out ever since our economy and the market have been going nuts. Kev works in finance and investments so we've both been a little worried about everything. We weren't really worried about the 401K because we're not retiring for a long time (obviously), but I've been very worried about Kev's job. He loves his job and the company he works for, but it's a smaller local company and he hasn't even worked there a year. So as I watched the DOW drop a bazillion points every other day, I felt my blood pressure go up a bazillion points as well!

Well, last week Kev's work told them they were going to have to do some layoffs or pay cuts. Neither of those sounded like good options. We hoped and prayed Kev wouldn't get laid off, but knew it could be very likely (he's only worked for this company for 11 months). Unfortunately, our fears were confirmed--Kev made the short list and was supposed to be one of the unlucky ones who was laid off. However, a co-worker of his who had been thinking about quitting to be home with her kids decided to leave instead, sparing Kev at the very last minute...literally the very very last minute. It was CRAZY!!

It truly was a blessing to us and an answer to our prayers. We feel so very grateful that Kev still has a job and grateful to his co-worker and her choice. We don't understand what all of her reasons were for leaving but the whole thing is really amazing--seriously amazing.

It may sound like I'm being a little nonchalant as I tell this story, but I assure you I have been ANYTHING but nonchalant the past few weeks. I think now that I'm recovering a bit and the blood pressure is returning to somewhat normal, I am trying to have a lighthearted attitude about it all.

So anyway, Kev is now still employed (and didn't get a pay cut either) and his company has assured everyone that unless the market completely falls apart (again), they don't foresee any future lay-offs. PHEWWW! Oh, and poor little Kevin was just put in as the Elder's Quorum President last Sunday amid all the chaos (when it rains, it pours!). He's actually looking forward to that calling though and looks forward to serving. He says that it is a "good" kind of stress.

So, to make a long story short, this has been nothing short of a miracle! We feel extremely blessed and know it is an answer to our prayers. We have definitely felt the Lord's hand and know he is mindful of us. Throughout this trial, we've actually grown closer as a family and have realized what is MOST important and what matters MOST! We are just very very humbled and grateful right now and hope the future (and the Dow Jones) looks brighter!

I actually have a bunch of pictures to put on here, but it's late and I need to go to bed. Sooo, I will post them soon and I will fill you all in on the "lighter" part of our lives soon.

We're very very very extra grateful to have so many wonderful friends and family! Wow, we have so much to be thankful for.

Derek is a funny boy

Okay guys, my 5 year old is a crack up! He always says the funniest things. He's been saying a bunch of things lately, so I thought I would share some with you...

The other day Derek wanted a hot dog for lunch. When he finished, he said, "That was so good mom, I think I need another one". I said, "Are you sure, Derek? That's a lot of food." He said, "Ya, I'm sure I can fit it, I just need to do a big burp first." (as he pats his belly)

Lovely....

Also, this morning Derek and I were playing Hi Ho Cherry Oh. I love that game. Sadly I kept beating him at the game. Hi Ho Cherry Oh is not a game you can easily "cheat" to let your child win. Well after a couple of games, the phone rang and I took a quick break. When we went back to the game, Derek started beating, or shall I say obliterating me! He won several times and I said, "Holy cow Derek, you are so good at this game!" He said, "No mom, while you were on the phone I said a prayer that I would win." What a cutie. A little bit later after he beat me some more he said, "Mom, maybe you should say a prayer."

Oh, the faith of a child.

Also, as I was running out the door today to take Derek to preschool, I told him he would probably be a couple minutes late. He said, "we wouldn't be late if we had a Ferrari."

I hadn't thought about that...I think I will tell Kev that we need to get a Ferrari.

Anyway, that is the latest...over and out!

St. George Marathon 2008

Well last weekend we went down to St. George so Kev could run the marathon. It was a crazy whirlwind weekend and it rained the whole time, but it was fun. We got down there Friday evening and met Kev's brother, Alan and his wife, Linda for dinner. Alan and Linda were visiting Linda's sister in Cedar City. It was fun to see them.

The next morning the kids and I drove Kev down to the marathon at 4:30 in the morning! It was already raining a little bit. We went back to the hotel and slept for a bit longer. When we checked out of the hotel it was pouring rain and I felt so bad for poor Kev! The kids kept asking, "Is Daddy still running?" They couldn't believe he could run that far and that long...in the rain! To help put things in perspective for them, I told them it was like he was running from our house in Riverton to downtown Salt Lake City! Crazy! That amazes ME!

Anyway, we headed down to the race, found a place to park, and ventured out in the rain to watch Kev finish. I made a makeshift little "tent" for Benjamin in his stroller so he wouldn't get wet. We found a place to watch and waited for Kev to approach the finish line. Fortunately Kev had his cell phone with him so he checked in with us periodically to tell us where he was. I was also glad to have periodic confirmations that he was still alive. Anyway, we finally saw him coming and he was still running! Yay! He ran past us as we cheered him on and he crossed the finish line at 4 hours and 20 minutes! Holy COW! I can't imagine running that long! He was a little disappointed though because he thought he was going to be able to finish around 4 hours, but he said he just fell apart at the end. I think he is justified in falling apart. I think I would have fallen apart at mile 8.

The kids anxiously waiting for Daddy.

Benjamin, happy in his little stroller

Anyway, we found Kev and he looked great except he was soaking wet and chilled to the bone! Alan and Linda were there with us and I was also surprised to see my cousin Karen and her husband Steve there to watch their daughter Danielle run. We also saw our good friend and old bishop, Gary Gustufson from New Hampshire and our other good friends from New Hampshire (who live in Utah now), Zane and Tori Bennett there as well. It was SO GOOD to see all of them! I also had a couple other cousins running the race, but I couldn't find them. I'm just thoroughly impressed with all these marathoners out there. I am amazed. Very cool.

Gary, Zane, and Kev--inspiring awesome guys.

Tori and I--the supportive wives (or should I say the "I'm glad I'm not the one running it" wives!)

Well after the race, we went to lunch with Alan and Linda and then headed home. Poor Kev was so tired and barely moving. I drove us home in the rain and was pretty much white knuckled the whole way. It was crazy weather. We got home that evening and it was nice to be home--especially nice to be home just in time to enjoy part of Conference weekend. Yay.

Well that is our whirlwind weekend! I am so proud of Kevin for accomplishing such an amazing goal. Surprisingly I asked him last night if he would want to run another one and he said "YES!" Wow! What an amazing wonderful man.

This picture is called, "Hurry up and take the picture--it is cold and rainy and it's okay if Benjamin isn't even looking at the camera!"

Kev's biggest fans--again we have a faceless baby.