A blessed Christmas

THis year has been different than Chrismas' past. . . We have been out of work for a while, and the kids and I have been feeling the pinch. We always find a family in need and help them in a small way. . . This year, we were finding that we were the family in need. . . I was very humbled this year to accept gifts from our church for all of the kids, and one of my dear friends from High school, out of the blue gave us the means to get a present that I had been pining for, for a long time. My camera broke several months ago. . . I was going to wait until we got a new job to get a new one. But then with each passing day, as I was missing some great memories of my kids and unable to capture them on film. . I started looking for a camera again, trying to figure out how I would get one.
I have come to beleive that a camera is a necessity! Especially when you have small children. Fortunately I was able through the generosity of Miriam to get a descent camera. And just in the nick of time for christmas. I firmly beleive that what goes around comes aroun. Everyone who helped us to have a wonderful christmas this year I,m sure are getting extra brownie points in Heaven and in my book. Thank you thank you to everyone who is praying for us and loving us and supporting us in this time of our lives. We will always love and cherish your examples of Christlike love.

Here are some of my favorite photos of this christmas. Enjoy! Love to all! Kim

Record snowfall in VA...Kids in heaven

Remember the first time is snowed and you just couldn't stay out of it. We just had a record breaking snowfall for Virginia (which doesn't get much snow). It's going to be a white Christmas this year. No one I've met can remember a white Christmas around here. We're joyful for the little things.

Fun over the summer

School has started again! Yea for us!! We have 4 in school again this year, and 3 still at home. I didn't sign up Josh or Alia up for pre-school so I'm teaching them myself. We also have been very consistent with our workout together at the YMCA. I don't think either one of us has been so fit since before we were married.

This summer we were at a family reunion in DC at the Georgetown campus. Brandon's parents rented out an entire floor of the student dorms. It was very fun! I am including a few pics. Our latest family picture of course.
Hopefully we will have some good news to report soon! Love to all. Kim

The amazing Kim

Took some cute pics of Kim and needed to share them with the world. Can you believe she has 7 kids 1 dog and 1 (temporary) guinea pig...amazing!

One of the natural wonders of the world

We have got one of the natural wonders of the world, here in Virginia, about two and a half hours from our home. The natural bridge. We finally went to see it. It was really cool! We got to walk under it, and then there was a long path that lead through the woods alongside a little river. There was an indian village that we went through and a waterfall at the end of the path. We only got to spend a few hours there, because Tyler had to be home for a scout campout, but I think the kids were ready to be done anyways.
We made the fatal mistake of forgetting Sawyers binky! So about 30 minutes before we were to leave, he started screaming and squirming and was about fit to be tied.. He would arch his back and cried and cried. Finally he was so exhausted he fell asleep. Much to the thanks of everyone else who was visiting the natural bridge. I am glad that we did it. Who knows how much longer we will be here in virginia. Might as well go do and see all that we can.

Tyler flying

Tyler flying

Tyler is trying to fly in this video. Look closely at his ears. We were at the pool the other day and Tyler stood under a mushroom type thing that had water spouting from the top of it. . It hit Ty just right that it made his ears flap like he was trying to fly away. Soo funny! Well, updates on us, Brandon is still dilligently seeking employment. It has been 7 months now, and we are still holding strong. He has a few good leads and has been interviewing with lots of differernt companies. But we aren't getting too excited until there is an actual offer. We have been excited about other companies that didn't work out, and it is a let down each time. . . . So, I am staying focused on the kids and having a fun summer with them. We have found that there is lots of free stuff to do. The theatre close to our mall does free movies every tuesday , wednesday and thursday mornings. We are on a program where the kids can do a free game of bowling everyday. Fun fun. We are a part of the YMCA, so we go there and use them as our summer pool. There are lots of places to visit and camping at the beach for only 25$. . . We are trying to keep busy and allow Brandon the time that he needs to research the different companies and look for jobs. He still has a pretty good outlook and positive attitude about everything. I have been really impressed at how well he has handled the whole situation. It is a big load to be the provider and be struggling for work. . BUt he has really risen to the challenge and been great through it all. So, we hope that everyone is having a great summer!!

Staying busy over the summer

THis year we have all sorts of things planned , like swimming and the beach and going to crab tree falls again. It is the biggest falls this side of the Mississippi. Anything that we can find that is free, we are all over it. I was really expecting that we would have a job by now. . . . I am getting kind of frustrated, but Brandon is staying positive and upbeat. He is working really hard to find a job, and is keeping his eye on the goal.. I am very proud of how hard of a worker he is, and how well he takes care of us. It has been 6 months now that we have been living off of our savings, and we are still ok! We are so blessed to have the resources to take care of ourselves when these trials come in our lives. I have used our food storage and we have been keeping to our budget! I know, that is a hard one for me too! We are making it! I am just so grateful to a husband who has followed the council of the prophets and put away some extra for just such an occation. Please enjoy these photos. They are from the last few months of birthdays and beach house and crab tree falls and end of the year programs.
Tyler is very excited!! He graduated from 5th grade and is headed off to Jr. High! Whoo hoo. And My baby just turned one in April with no prospects of more on the horizon. I am going to have to figure out who I am without a baby on my hip! Love to all. Kim

Still on the lookout

Hey everyone, it has been a while since I have had the use of my own computer. Since Brandon got laid off in January, he had to hand in his lap top that they issued him. . . So, he has commundeered my computer. He has been very dilligent in looking for a job, which means that the only time I have on the computer is between midnight and 4 am. OK, so it isn't that dramatic, but my time is very limited ! So, sorry for no updates in the last few months.
We had Sasha's baptism last week. Everything went really well. We had my parents, Brandon's parents, Uncle Mike from Utah and Aunt Janae and Uncle Tyson from DC. It was very fun! I think that Sasha did well, and had a fantastic confirmation by her Grandpa Rowberry. You will have to ask for more details later.
Brandon did have one interview in philidelphia, but haven't heard any feedback from that yet. He was flown to Florida a few months ago with promises of getting back to us on feedback and when they would fly him out next, then never heard from them again. . . So, I am not getting my hopes up until there is something concrete to be excited about.
He has been doing some mini interviews though, with a company that markets him as an expert for others to call and talk to , or talk through a business, and they pay him for talking to the people. It has been kind of interesting.
Other than that, we are getting ready for summer! Lots of swimming, and beach going and having fun with the babies . . . Love to all.

On the look out

Well, it has been a month since Bradon was laid off from Circuit City. He has been dilligent at going to the library and looking for jobs that he would be interested in. He as been talking to lots of recruiters and interviewing with lots of different people. So, who knows what will happen. It is funny, because everyone wants to help, even our YMCA trainer is trying to "hook him up" with someone. I so appreciate everyone for being so kind. I know that the lord will bless us and send us exactly where we need to be. In the meantime, it has been kind of fun to have Brandon home for lunch. I have been scheduling him to go to all the kids classrooms to read to them and whatever else I can squeeze in. He has been able to go with me in the mornings to work out at the YMCA, which has been fun! We have always had to either switch off kids or go on opposite days really early in the morning. It is fun just to be with him some extra time.

It is quickly becoming apparent that we won't be staying in Virginia. All of the jobs that he is finding are not here. We have almost had 4 years here, so,following our 4 year patterns , it looks as if we will be moving on. Just where to. . . . we don't know yet.

We love you all! Thanks for your prayers and blessings that you are sending our way! We feel them all! LOve, Kim

Moving on

Well, it is official.
Circuit city is liquidation all of it's inventory and closing all of it's stores. We got the news on Friday. It was really close to being bought by a Mexican millionaire guy, but didn't get done.
We went into the office on this last Monday and cleaned it all out. Brought back our ficus trees and that is that. SInce then he has been getting in contact with lots of recruiters and sending out resume's and doing what he can. He learned from his Dad to make his job getting a job everyday.
He has always done such a good job of supporting us, that I know we will be fine. The saying, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" has certainly rang true in our home this week. We have food storage, savings in the bank. We will ride out this storm well I think.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. they are felt! We will surely update everyone on what happens next and what we decide to do. I doubt that we will be staying in Virginia past this school year. But, who knows what the future will bring.
We do get 60 days compensation, and then we are on our own. . . . . These next few months will certainly be interesting to say the least!
Love to all. Kim

Aahhh what to do.?

Well, there was an annoucement today that Circuit city is putting out bids, or an auction as it were for a bid for someone to buy Circuit. There is an ending date of next FRiday Jan. the 16th. . . And if someone doesn't buy it, than it will have to be liquidated and we will probably be the first ones to be let go. Why would they need an Innovation specialist if they are just liquidating everything? So, that kind of leaves us up in the air for a little while. We will be totally fine if we are let go, but that would mean a move most likely,. Which our kids are totally against. I have kind of put out some feelers, and they don't like the idea of moving. BUt what kid is. They will survive and we will pull together as a family.
I forgot to tell everyone about our Christmas break.
We got to stay home and have everyone come to us for a change. On Christmas, we had Brandon's parents,and His brother Ryan and wife Barb. It was very fun! THen we all went to DC after Christmas before new years and had a blast with one of Brandon's other sisters Shauntelle that flew in from VEgas. she has a sweet little family! Then SHauntelle and Brandon's parents came back to our house for New years. It was so funny! We moved the clocks ahead two hours, so when it was 10 pm the kids thought it was midnight. . . We celebrated and put them to bed. Then played games as adults until the real midnight. It worked really well! The kids had no idea! We had a lot of fun! I love being with family! Maybe if we do move, we will be closer to the Spears family and get to do more stuff with them. Who knows!
The funniest thing of the whole vacation was when Evyn, who is only a few months older than Sawyer was trying to feed him and spilled water all down his clothes. He got to naked for the rest of the day.
And when Josh was playing Air hockey and kept yelling "Mad skills, Mad skills" We laughed so hard over that one.

Finally

We have some good news, something worth writing about. Our sweet Alia has hair finally. Long enough to put into a ponytail. Of course with lots of hairspray and gell , and if she would only leave it in and not pull it out, we would be set!! Yea for Alia, she is finally starting to look like a girl. And, our sweet Sawyer is crawling!!! The sweet guy! He was so upset when all he could do was watch everyone run past him as they played. . . Now, he is crawling, and trying to keep up with them as much as possible. He loves chasing after Sheba our dog, and pulling himself uponto anything he can reach. He is so funny! He is genuinely happier now that he is mobile. Often times we will hear him squealing and laughing as he roams around the house with his new found freedom. What a funny guy!!