When it all falls apart...

We've had a string of "bad luck" lately. I think I told the stories of when our boat sank at Bear Lake, and when the kids decided to wash Jake's Audi with sand. More recently our Refrigerator broke, the glass in our oven door broke, our basement flooded, and our furnace broke- plus a few other things.

Worst of all though was that Roxy got out, was hit by a car and died. Friday night we realized she'd pushed the back door of the garage open and gotten out through the open garage door. We immediately went out looking for her. I went out first, then my mom, Denny, Kari and Garrett all split up in different directions. When Jake got home from class he went out looking too. Saturday morning Jake and I went to the animal shelter to look for her. Jake had sent out texts to tons of people in our ward, and at around 11am we got a call from one saying he'd found her dead by the stake center, and that she must have been hit by a car on 1600 North (just behind our house). Jake and I picked up her body and then drove up the canyon and found a nice place to bury her body. We both bawled- but I knew it was much harder for Jake- since in all reality she was HIS dog. We came home and told Josh and Dekker. Dekker doesn't understand- but Josh cried for a good half hour or more.

So yes, we've had a rough go.

However, there is still much to be thankful for:

1. Missionary work. My sister Karina has decided to serve a mission! I love missionary work and so I'm so excited for her and all that lies ahead. A while back when she was starting to think about it she came to me and asked me some of my thoughts. I had to hold back from saying "GO GO GO!" because my mission was and continues to be such a blessing in my life, but at the same time I know, that it is a very personal question and answer that really only the Lord can answer. It was so neat to hear how her answers came though,and to see that quiet confidence settle in her smile as she talks about it.

2. Sibling love. Two cute stories. First, the other day I had left Naomi alseep on my bed, but forgot to lock my bedroom door while I went into the bathroom. I came out to find Dekker leaning right over the top of her. "Dekker, please leave her alone and let her sleep," I asked. "But MOM, Look, SO SO pretty!" How could I dare ask him to leave such a cute little bundle of a sister alone?!
Second, we were needing a pick me up Saturday night- so we invited our friends, the Barrands, to meet us at Pirate Island Pizza. We all had a good time, but when it was time to leave Josh and Sam hadn't had enough time together I guess because Josh was already asking when he could see Sam again. Marcia invited Josh to go home with them and stay the night and offered to bring him home in the morning on their way to their Poruguese branch. Josh has never had a sleep over all by himself before, but seemed VERY excited, so we said he could go. When we started walking to our car though, and Dekker realized Josh wasn't coming he starting SCREAMING for Josh. We got him calmed down in the car- but it must have pulled on Josh's little heart string because I got a call from Marcia not too long later saying that she was bringing Josh home because he was crying and saying that "Dekker will have bad dreams without me!". When Josh got home Dekker was still bouncing around in his room and so I sent Josh in to give him a hug. "Josh you're home!" Dekker exclaimed happily. They hugged and then both went peacefully to bed.

3. Having my Mom in town. It was so nice to have my mom around this last week. Especially since I was still dealing with a lot of the flood and furnace repairs. I was also able to get in for much needed dentist and hair appointments- go to the gym and run other miscellaneous errands. Also very nice to have her prepare almost all the dinners this week, as well as do lots of laundry and cleaning etc. I would have to guess that her love language is acts of service because it seems like that's all she does, is look for ways to serve those she loves!