A Little Update...

I know many of you have told me you have checked our blog to only see nothing being updated. I know after my last post many of you have been concerned, worried or praying for our peace and comfort. I have to admit this last year or so has been so difficult for me for each of us. Honestly if I was paid 1 million dollars to repeat it...I WOULDN'T DO IT!! I have learned so much, we have learned so much (meaning my little family). We have grown closer together and at times further apart. We have definitely had our ups and our downs. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, I just wish I could see the bigger picture as to why. But to answer most of your questions. We are alive, we are surviving and we are as happy as we can be with the cards we have been dealt. We have made new friends, but we still miss our old ones. It has been a change one I know I didn't think would be this hard. But I am adjusting, we all are. We have to, we have no other choice. Our summer was busy and most of our days were spent at our pool at the clubhouse. We had a mini vacation to Lava Hot Springs and Scott had the opportunity to experience Sturgis for the first time. Karter started 2nd grade and Kandon is almost 4!! So as you can see there are many things I need to blog about and catch up on. But as for now I will leave you with an update...

New Beginnings

Change...It is hard, especially for me.

We moved.

By choice, no...not exactly. We tried to modify our loan and to say the least it didn't work out as planned. We short sold our home. It is still in the process but we found a home that works for us, that is a good option for us, and Karter can go to the same school, so we moved. Change is hard, but I believe there is a plan in the works. What it is we just don't know yet. It's a new beginning.

We moved to a townhouse and have close to the same amount of living space as the other, minus my crawlspace (which stored ALOT of stuff). I dejunked, I cried, I watched my memories moved, sold and now forced to start new memories somewhere else with my family and new found friends, strangers and new faces. I miss the old ones, terribly. But I will, along with Scott and my boys move forward. I have to, we have no choice. It is hard, I think much harder for me than for them.

The day we moved I held it together. We had alot of good friends and neighbors helping us. We have a brother in law that owns a trucking company and let us use a huge semi to haul our memories and furniture in. When we got to the new place we unloaded. Karter was running around with a lifelong friend and they snuck in our clubhouse. They played on the treadmill. Karter turned it up way faster than he knew how to control and got hurt. It threw him off. He bloody his lips, scarred his back, shoulder and neck. He is ok now, but he cried. I cried with him. He wanted to go home, not this home. It was hard. It was a new beginning.

Then later that night after everyone was gone and it was sinking in this was the new home and where we were going to live, sleep and eat we realized we hadn't ate. We gathered the kids and headed for McDonald's. The boys played in the playland. They were laughing and having fun, it felt normal. Until Kandon tripped going in the playland. He hit his face right on the entryway and Scott ran faster than me to realize he bloodied both his nostrils. Kandon cried. We got it stopped and came home, our new home. I got him changed and ready for bed. When his nose started to bleed again. I took him in the bathroom and Scott came in and was helping me get it stopped and calmed down. When Kandon cried he wanted to go home. I cried. Scott cried. Then Scott said this is our home now and Kandon said "no I don't want to live at the townhouse, I want to go home to our other house". It was hard. It was a new beginning.

The next day my sweet new neighbor and her husband brought us homemade salsa. It was another new beginning with a new face and stranger that I know will end up being close friends. It got a little easier.

Then I went and cleaned the old house. There were so many friends (neighbors) that came and helped, even girls and young women that I had taught in that ward. I cried. But it was so thoughtful and and I realize how much we are loved. It was hard.

It's still hard.

I had a yard sale at the old house Saturday and I sold so much of our stuff. Things I didn't want anymore and things I had to depart with, but it was still hard. It was a new beginning. And when it was all over, I cried. Scott hugged me and told me it is going to be ok. That it is just a house. I know that it is but the bottom line is, it was "our house", it was "our home" and to watch everything unfold, it's hard. It's empty, were gone, it's just a house, but it will always be our "first home". It will be hard but it has its moments of being a little easier. It continues to get easier everyday, but it's still hard.

But now when my boys ask to go home, it's our new home they ask for.

It's a new beginning...

Karter's 7th Birthday

I can't believe how fast time flies. I remember having a baby shower before delivering Karter and so many girls giving advice of "enjoying every minute because time goes by way to fast and how fast kids grow up." I believed them but I didn't realize how fast they were really talking about and meant.
Where do I begin with Karter turning 7? It really feels like I have lost time with him or something. I spent a lot of time while he was young working. I know he is still young but I went part time just before he started kindergarten and by 1st grade I am now a stay at home mom. He comes home from school does his homework and wants to play with friends, not mom. I need to find a balance. A time that is just mine and his together. There are so many things I love about this boy. Here are some of the things he loves...
He loves his baby brother, even though they fight sometimes every now and then

His favorite color is red (just like mom) and black

His favorite tv show is Spongebob

His favorite movie is Goonies

His favorite treat is Nerds

His favorite food is hot dogs and no longer likes Ketchup that much, he's more of a mustard kid now.

He loves to read the Goosebumbs series

His favorite subject in school is Math. It just comes to him, he understands it. This is a shock because me and Scott aren't that good at it so I hope he keeps learning it and getting it as easy as he does now.

He writes his name many times on his school work as "Karter Scott Jones"

He is very good at spelling and has only got 80% and 90% once, the rest have been 100% in all of 1st grade

He loves to ride his dirt bike

He still likes to wear costumes
He loves to shoot hoops, play basketball and football

He loves to play the xbox 360

His nickname is "bug"

Him and Kandon both get on a giggle trip every night at 8pm sharp. It's like clockwork. It takes at least 20-30 minutes to get them to stop laughing at who knows what. Its cute!!

He gets a little annoyed when Kandon wants to do everything he does and be just like his BIG brother.

He's a water boy. He loves to swim, play in the sprinklers and since his last birthday jumped off 10-15 foot cliffs at Lake Powell. It scares me, I'm not a swimmer.
He is excited to get baptized when he turns "8" and is learning so much about Christ

His best friends right now are Cooper, Caleb and Eric.

He has so many friends and he loves them all so much. I can tell he will be one of those people that will do anything for anyone.

He is definitely a Mama's Boy...
He has lost 2 bottom teeth since his last birthday
He has the prettiest blue eyes
I love this boy with all my heart. He is a leader. His brother absolutely idolizes him. I see Kandon watch him and smile. He is stubborn, sometimes he won't stop til he gets his way. He has a tender heart. He gets his feelings hurt so easily. He loves everyone and to him it's the more the merrier. He loves and looks forward to me reading to him every night. I look forward to the times he reads to me, he is becoming such a good reader. He still loves me to sing to him and tell him stories every night. I love to do it, when I am not home to do it I feel a HUGE void. He begged and begged me this year to take and pick him up from school. He missed that last year in Kindergarten (I never got to take him). He got his way and gets so sad when it came to those few times this year I had to have someone take him for me. I could go on and on. But I will end in saying I love you "Bug" you truly are my Love "bug" and life wouldn't be life without you in it. I hope and pray the lord always watches over you, protects you and keeps you out of harms way. I am thankful he has given me the opportunity to be your "mom"!!

Our Home...Our Story.

Here is the question you've all been waiting for and wondering, what our BOMBSHELL is all about? Our home of 7 years is up for sale. The home we built from the ground up, the yard, oh the yard. For those of you that know it was really ugly at first now it's one of the greenest on the block, it is the home we have brought both our boys home to from the hospital after they were born, the home we have raised our family in. Why? It is so complicated, embarrassing and heart wrenching...too much that I cannot explain other than to those of you that are family, close friends or neighbors invited to our blog, not Facebook.
I ask you to PLEASE not share with others, this is our life and our home and we want to share it with who WE want to share it with, no one else.

December of 2009 we heard about loan modifications and were referred to Modify Utah. We paid them $2995.00 to modify our home loan and help a financial situation that not many knew about. With Scott in school and me working part time money was hard to come by and difficult to stretch. They told us we should have qualified easily and we would have to do a "trial modification" for about 6 months with our mortgage lender. Let me explain what a "trial" modification does...basically it reduces your monthly home payment so you can pay down other debts to better your debt to income ratio. Modify Utah got a "trial" modification granted by our lender and we started making about half payments on our home loan January 2010. Come July it was to be all said and done. June rolled around and I started calling Modify Utah, only to never have my phone calls returned. I thought no big deal our "trial" doesn't end til July. Come July I made the last "trial" payment and called Modify Utah again, again, again and again. Never to have those phone calls returned. Then I lost my job, a company I had worked for for almost 9 1/2 years! By the beginning of August we received a statement from our lender requesting a "balloon" payment of almost $8000.00!! What!!? I thought Modify Utah would do there job, this was new to us. We didn't know what to do. So I called our lender and told them we had paid a company to modify our loan and for some reason it wasn't done. At that time our lender told us it was past the time they needed additional information from us and forms. I asked what we needed to do, they stated we had to start a "trial" modification over again. Ok, so that's what we did. We sent them everything they requested and were granted another "trial" modification. It started in October, again about half of our original home payment. We started working on paying other debts down. In the mean time I requested a refund from Modify Utah, they did have a money back guarantee. Only to be denied because I was told we received a "trial" modification and that is all they were required to do. Are you kidding me!! I don't go to a grocery store and pay for all my groceries and only go home with half of them!! They only did half their job!! I was completely and absolutely upset!! Later they closed their doors and are no longer in business, go figure. Come January 2011 our "trial" was up with our lender and it was time they could "choose" to finalize our modification. I made that last "trial" payment and 2 days later I sent all the forms and information they requested to finalize this modification. I called 2 days after it was faxed making sure they received it, they verified they did. I was told the guy that had our file would overlook everything and would call if anything else was needed. Now if there was one thing I learned from the first time, it was to keep calling at least once a week and following up. Anyone that really knows me, knows that I am good at following up and double checking everything. I tried calling this guy with our file 2 times, I received a voicemail back from him one time and called him back another 2 or 3 times. Wednesday Feb 9th I received a call from a lady requested 2 additional forms, she asked when I could fax it by and I told her Friday Feb. 11th. Come Friday Feb. 11th I received another call from a man this time requested $12,750.00 another "balloon" payment. I explained how we were doing a modification and were at the end of our trial and that I was faxing the additional information they requested 2 days ago that day. He then told me our "trial" modification was DENIED!!! What!!? Are you kidding me, again!!? No, he wasn't kidding me! But get this...IT WAS DENIED THE FRIDAY BEFORE!! Yes that's right Feb. 4th!!! Before the lady had called and requested the additional information! She called me after the fact!! I was extremely upset and started crying. We were denied because they didn't receive the additional information they were requesting, something I didn't know about until after the fact. I asked what we needed to do and he said we would have to start all over again and start another "trial". Ummm, no I don't think so!! I asked to speak to a supervisor and while speaking with him he told me I needed to call the guy with my file, the guy I have already called 4-5 times! I told him I called him numerous times but he said he was the only one that could over-ride this denial and so that is what I did. I called, and called and called a total of probably 9-10 times just on Friday the 11th! But I have still NOT received a call back from him. I spoke with Scott and he said if he didn't call me back on Friday it was cut and dry, we would be putting "our" home up for short sale! So that is what we are doing. We are to far behind since we have been making all these half payments from these "trial" modifications and it is just not worth it. We owe more than our home is worth. Therefore it is easier to short sale and wait 2-3 years to buy another home. Then we will be able to be on the upside and have equity in our future home again. Something we haven't had in this one for quite some time. We had refinanced back when we were going to sale before by owner and they recommended we roll some of our debts into our loan so our debt to income ratio would be better. Well that was right before the economy dropped making it impossible to sell our home.

So no, Scott hasn't got another job yet. But he has currently applied for 5 different possibilities. We are hoping and praying one works out and ask that you do too. Then we will know where we may end up for the next few years til were able to buy again. If one doesn't work out we will be looking to rent somewhere close so Karter can stay in the same school and keep the same friends and a couple of these potential jobs would still offer that. As of right now we will stay here until we get an offer and our bank accepts it and we have to move. Our realtor said to expect at least 5-7 months (with our lender) if not more. The good news is we will be here at least through the summer and possibly longer. I have cried many tears, lost sleep and wondered why. Scott has been really quiet and I'm sure he feels like a failure, but I know and he should know HE IS NOT!! We didn't ask for this, no one does. Last Friday our life changed, for a reason I believe we still don't know. But I have faith knowing better things lie ahead. This has been one of the hardest most trying decisions we've ever had to make. We love our neighbors and ward. We have made so many life long friends! Hopefully moving, wherever that may be doesn't change that. I have realized it is just a house, our family makes it a home. So there you have it our BOMBSHELL, called life!!

Christmas 2010

The Tree...and I may be prejudice but I LOVE my tree.

The Letter to Santa along with some cookies, milk and carrots for 9 reindeer.

Christmas Eve presents...pj's, slippers and movies.

Our dog "Cookie" and the sweater the boys picked out and bought for her.

Christmas day was filled with family, love and fun! My parents came over after the boys came down and saw what Santa brought them.

A Few things Karter asked for and recieved:
-ipod touch
-airsoft gun
-xbox games
-remote control car

A Few things Kandon asked for and received:
-a GREEN dirtbike
(he got a powerwheels one instead, we thought he'd be disappointed but no, he LOVES it)
-remote control car
-guitar
-movies

It was such a nice day but I always like to remember the true meaning of Christmas is Christ.
I am not one to bear my testimony on my blog but for some reason I feel the need to. I know my savior lives, I know he died for me and suffered on the cross for all our sins. I am so thankful for the atonement and that through hard work and dedication to try and strive to be like him, I will one day be able to return to him. I am grateful our little family was able to go to the temple 3 years ago and that we can be a family forever. I know I need to do better and get back to the temple to do temple work for those that have not had that opportunity and are eagerly waiting for it to be done. I know our church is true and that although many in the church aren't perfect, the gospel is. I am thankful for a living prophet to help guide us in the right direction to be able to return to our loving Heavenly Father. I am thankful for a hard working husband that goes to work everyday and tries so hard to better our life and family. He is my best friend and even though we've had many trails and hardships together we will get though it together. My boys, I love them so much and hope and pray they will always choose the right. I am thankful for my amazing family and all they continually do for me. I am thankful for wonderful friends that are always there when needed. I know that the Lord has a plan for me and our family and I have faith I will one day know what it is. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Part of Our November

These are some pictures I took down by Utah Lake close to our house. I really love them!!

Kandon LOVES "Yo Gabba Gabba" and I heard they were going to a toy store in the Riverwood's so I knew I had to take him. Bridget and Emery came too, Em wasn't too sure what she thought of them up close. Kandon loves them and would have hugged and stood by them all day!!

He's 3!!!

His party with his little friends.

He gets so mad so easy and was DONE with this costume.

I can't believe my baby is 3!! I honestly was planning on getting pregnant around his birthday in October but with me loosing my job and having no insurance, plans changed and i'm fine with that. So he is still my baby and will always be!! Kandon is full of energy and is one of those kids you really can't take your eye off of for too long.

Things he loves:
-His brother, Karter (hands down!! Kandon looks up to him so much!)
-Grandma Gayla
-His "me" (favorite blanket)
-TV shows Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Special Agent Oso
-Yo Gabba Gabba
-the color GREEN
-Basketball, there has been times Scott turns the tv from ESPN and Kandon wants it turned back
-being outside and playing with Karter
-to ride his bike
-play with his daddy and run to him when he gets home from work, or hide from him and make daddy find him
-and to be read "Little Digger" at night by mom and sang to every night!!

Kandon is also getting to that stage where he tries to sing every song (or most) from the radio. He is so funny. There is one thing about this kid that cracks me up, when he gets hurt he runs for his "me" (his blanket) no...not mom, not dad, not even grandma. He is very independent except for when it come to going to class at church. He is not a snuggly kid and never really has been. But I have to say he brings a smile on our face everyday and we LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!
Happy 3rd Birthday Kandon!!

A Little Bit of Fun with Friends

Karter has a little dirtbike and a four wheeler and for some reason he was a little afraid of his dirtbike this day. Which is really weird to me cuz normally he is begging to ride it. Don't ask why his head was down...he said he was tired!

Karter let Trey ride his dirtbike and Trey was in 7th heaven. Looks like I know what to recommend to Jeff and Karly. Addie was too cute she kept stopping and taking her finger off the gas and shaking it cuz it hurt.

Kandon was a whole other story. He didn't want Karter to take him he wanted to ride the four wheeler himself. So since I wouldn't let him he decided to just play in the dirt! He is all BOY!!

Karter's First 1st Grade Field Trip

Karter's first field trip in 1st grade was to Pumpkinland. He was so excited that I got to go and help and be his leader. He was happy he had Trace (a new boy that had just moved from Montana), Damian, and Adam in our group. A group full of boys is pretty fun to listen to and watch. They got to pick their own pumpkins when we left and were pretty excited about that. I have to admit I don't miss the days riding a bus to school. Luckily Karter doesn't have to, although he is always saying he wishes he did. Why we all thought that was the coolest thing ever is beyond me! It is so hot inside a bus and stuffy. Maybe i'm just getting too old. hahaha

Dear Toothfairy...

We ended up making a trip to go to Lake Powell with Scott's family and who of all people forgot her camera...me!! It just so happened that Karter had a loose tooth for awhile.I should have known that someone would talk him into pulling it especially when he was showing everyone and anyone that would take the time to look at his loose tooth. So Lance (Scott's younger brother) says to Karter one day lets pull it out. Karter wasn't too sure about it. But Lance said Karter I promise it won't hurt at all, and told him how good he was at pulling out kid's teeth. Karter decided ok and let him do it. I was sick I didn't have my camera, but thankfully my sister in law Becky pulled through for me! Here he was getting his first tooth pulled out and no camera, my luck! Lance got a paper towel and counted to 3 and on 2 he pulled it. The look on Karter's face was priceless. It was once of those I'm gonna cry and then once he saw Lance had the tooth it went to an instant smile. He was so EXCITED! We went in the trailer and put it in a baggy and had to start writing the letter. He wanted his cousin Tylie to help him. He wrote and asked the tooth fairy to keep his first tooth cuz he wanted to go home and be able to show his Grandpa and Grandma (my parent's) and his friends. To his surprise the next morning he got $2 and she said he could keep his tooth!! He was so HAPPY!!

Utah State Fair

Everything a kid could ask for...is at the Utah State Fair! It was all that and them some. From sweating so bad in the toasty hot sun, to worrying that we need to wash the kids hands every other minute, to eating a big bbq chicken wing and buying all the crap that the informercials try to get you to buy. Really what more could you ask for.? Sometimes I wonder why we even go. But the kids always have a blast and we always do to watching them have so much fun. So...until next year (cuz I know we'll be there)!!

House Fire

You are probably wondering why I am posting about this house fire? The reason is this. This home is within our stake and close to where I live. I was taking the boys to go somewhere and when I was backing out of my garage, I saw smoke. We went to where it was and this is what we found. A home, burning...and worst of all the owners came home to this! I stopped and me and the the boys watched it as firefighters tried to save their home, but were unsucessful. It broke my heart! I can't image coming home to a absolute loss, with nothing but the clothes on your back! It was a good eye opener for Karter, a boy that is a pyro and loves to play with lighters. That is why I stayed and let him watch as long as I did. We didn't end up going where we were originally headed. I came home afterwaeds and couldn't stop thinking about it. I worried and made myself sick thinking...did this family have kids? Is the owners in need? How can I help? Scott told me rather than sit here and do nothing...go. Go ask what you can do to be of assistance. So I went and found out it is a spanish couples home, they have no kids and pretty much they now have nothing! I told them and their neighbor I would do what I could to help. I came home and posted on my facebook and had our ward send out a email for a home and clothing drive. I NEVER thouht i'd get all that I did. But it was overwhelming with the outpouring love that people did to help, someone they didn't even know. I have never done something like this before. But to see their reaction was worth every minute of it! I did something and whether they could use all that I collected was up to them. But I know they used and needed most of it.

Now the only thing that sits on their lot is a cement pad of where this home use to sit. But I will end with one last story. When the couple was sorting through all the rubble and charred stuff in their home. The husband came across a ring box, he wasn't able to wear his wedding ring because he was a handy man and did construction and was afraid of getting hurt by wearing it. When he opened the box where his ring sat, it was perfect, completely untouched by the fire. It was the only thing in the home what wasn't damaged! I loved that they shared that story with me and in return I can share it with you.

Karter's First Day of 1st Grade!!

I've said before and i'll say it again, this is more for me than any of you i'm sure. I am so behind and am going to playing catch up. My goal...is at least one post a week...hopefully more but at least one! Karter started 1st grade and "loves" it. The first day I asked him if there was any cute girls in his class and he said "mom!!" and I said what and he said "well yes mom". He still won't admit who it is (and it's January) but I have a few guesses.

Things he has learned or loves this year so far in school:

To learn about space, dinosaurs and SHARKS or anything to do with the ocean!! There is a reason I beleive he is an Aquarius!

To read much better

Loves chapter books

Football
Thursdays...when mom comes and helps with centers

Spelling and has got 100% all but 3 times which have been 90% twice and 80% once!!

Lunch and recess (of course)

Things he loves at home after school:

He loves to play with his friends when he gets home and his homework is done!

Play xbox

Ride his electric scooter or dirtbike

Be outside

To read each night with mom!!

**Kandon absolutly loves you and looks up to you so MUCH!! He adores and idolizes his BIG brother!!**

Karter it seems like yesterday (literally) that you were born and I was staring at you thinking how lucky we were to have you in our lives!! You have grown so much and we still feel that lucky!! We love you to pieces and are so proud of how much you love school and how good you are at it!! Keep up the good work and grades!! XOXOXOXOXO