Arizona House part 2 (video tour)

Master bedroom, Bathroom and Closet

Thats it. we love our rental house. We feel so spoiled with all this room we have. 

Our Arizona House Part 1

We have been in this house for almost two weeks. 

Here is our tour a few people have wanted to see our house. 

It is not in its perfect state. But I thought it would be a good idea to show a video now because 

I have an easier time seeing progress that way.

I broke it into segments because I am not good with technology, its a real thing.

Not much of the house is organized yet but hey give me a break its only been two weeks!

Part 2 has the master bedroom and bathroom. And PS this could take a very long time to load.

Front door, entry way, living room and formal dining room turned into a piano room

Kitchen and dining area, pantry

Work out room, art room, office, playroom, 

Linen closet, laundry room, kids bunk bed

Kids toys and closet 

Main bathroom / Guest Bathroom

Guest room 

Our move to Arizona

After years of wondering, praying, crying, laughing, and simplifying we came to this day. Adam and I have been in limbo for 3 years basically ever since we graduated college.  We went from cowboying lifestyle to business master to vet to now a PA. Two of those three years were spent in logan, Utah. I fell in love with logan from the first time I went there. Peaceful, hometown feel but everything you need close. We always had what we needed even when our income was zero. We will miss it dearly but are so excited for this new adventure. And now we are here! 

I took the above picture as we left logan. Praying that I would drive safe in the snow. I'm terrified of driving 

in the snow.  But we made it fine. 

We had some minor trials here 

The previous renters to our awesome house were hard on the place. We had one toliet that had water spewing out, a hot water hook up problem, and this sink that would not drain. Luckily we got the plumber to come out today and now all our plumbing problems are gone :) 

We also got to hang out with my cousins Robyn and her daughter Abby. The kids are in heaven. They love having family close and I've heard Joslyn wisper Abby's name all evening. We also have got to spend time with Adam's Aunt Cindy. And Adams Mema is coming over tomorrow. And then next week we are having a family party for Abby :) we prayed so hard to go to a school near family. And we feel so blessed to be here. This is the furthest we have ever lived from my family but we found some cheap flights round trip salt lake to phoenix. And we have a room we are saving for guests. So we plan on lots of visitors. Today I was reminded to pray more personally and so I added that to my New Years resolutions. 

Ooh also if you were wondering what my verdict was about deleting my facebook... I decided to keep it. :) but I don't know my password. It sounds silly but it works so good for me. I set a time to be on and Adam logs me in. I didn't realize how much I was on it until I did it. A half an hour goes by quick. I feel like a better mom. It's working well for me and is apart of another resolution I have to "break up" with my phone. Thanks for all your support and those of you who sent me messages telling me You liked having me on facebook. It reminded me why I liked being on there. To see how people are doing. It's something I enjoy. Now I don't have to feel I'm losing all my friends. Especially since we are so far away. Thanks for the good times logan. 

What if my talents are different?

It seems I'm aways having to reassure myself that I even have talents. 

Lovely pictures, beautiful quilts, elaborate crafts, CEO wonder women, fashionistas,  diy naturals, and even how to remodels cover the web. I seem to be good at none of the above things. But it's what people, specifically moms are doing right now. (Oh and sales I can't even begin to tell you how horrible I am at sales. ) I'm not even very good at blogging. 

So I had to think very hard about my talents and I realized none of my talents may make me money. But hopefully I can make someone in the world feel good. 

I know I know you're dying to know what my talents are. 

Spending time with people. I love hanging out. I could listen to stories of people's lives all day. 

Doing dishes. That doesn't mean my dishes are perfect but there is something about doing dishes at a friends house that is much more fun. 

I can get rid of things? Who knew that was a talent. I can't wait for the day my kids can help put things away but when I can pick up the house in 15 minutes. Life is good. 

Remembering faces. I never forget a face unless that face changed then you'll have to give me a break

Outdoors woman- I do love a good hiking challenge. 

I'm sure I have a few other talents but those were on the top of my head. Whenever I start down this spiral of "oh I wish I was good at make up, or taking pictures, or quilting, or whatever it may be" I now stop and think about my talents. They may not generate any sort of income but I enjoy them. 

Do we ever make up our minds? Maybe!

Our family has made a lot of hard decisions lately. 

May not seem hard to some families but to ours deciding where to live and when to move has been

pretty crazy. 

It's official! Well, sort of...

This is what is the plan as of today,

We are moving to arizona.

We are hoping to move into a house different from the one previously posted on instagram

We are planning on now moving the 15th of January. 

(Not this upcoming Wednesday as planned before)

This new plan will save us money and we feel right about it.

We have been praying where to live for awhile. 

And recently we found a place that is not only affordable but in a safe location.

We know we were guided to find this place to live. 

The tender mercies of the Lord are everywhere. 

So grateful Adam was able to notice all the things that helped guide us in our decisions. 

We are so excited for our new adventure in sun and hot. 

We feel a bit like olaf asking for summer. 

Adam doesn't start school till August but we didn't want to wait till then.

Hopefully  by moving in January we will be able to prepare better for the Arizona heat!

This year has been a crazy year full of life changing events we are so grateful for our new opportunities and that Adam found a career he will enjoy before starting vet school. 

Thayne is fast as can be and while we were away searching for housing and jobs, he ran a mile and half with my mom! He is so smart and loves all things mechanical. 

Joslyn is growing so fast and is only 1 shoe size different from her older brother. She loves all things princess despite my best efforts. She loves singing and dancing to frozen.

I am still trying to wrap my head around being a mom. I love being home with the kids. It's a feeling I can't really describe. Its something that brings you the greatest sorrow and the most joy. All at once.

Really the only way to experience it is to try it. I feel so blessed I am able to do this.

I had a part time job cleaning apartments but I am still undecided if that will continue in Arizona. 

As of right now packing and decluttering is my job! 

Dear high school you were so 2007

We are having to down size again. We will be living in a 2 bedroom apartment with 2 kids for 2 years. Which isn't too crazy and we certainly aren't the only people doing this. But somehow it's surprisingly difficult to get rid of things in order to make it possible to fit into a two bedroom. I've started to go through sentimental things and create some very small boundaries there. 

One big thing I got rid of was my year books... I was in one picture in 2 years in a row. And then my senior picture didn't turn out in my last year book and check out this picture...

I'm in the middle crease. I'm not even by anyone I know. I went through my year book with feelings that I never wanted to feel again. Hurt, uncertainty, and feelings of low self-esteem among some of them. Sure high school happened and it wasn't my favorite. But I can save the pieces I do like and teach that to my kids. I saved two pages that I wanted out of my whole year books. I don't feel any remorse letting them go. However I do have personal pictures that I took of my favorite times. They take up way less space and bring back happy memories. 

My husband on the other hand was very involved in his school and had a great experience. I will keep his year books probably forever. And I actually want to attend his 10 year reunion. Mine is still up in the air. 

Have you kept your year books? Do people even buy them anymore?

Happiness is everywhere

I opened up my cash envelope at the register. I counted the dollars and gave the money to the cashier. I looked back into my envelope. All that was left was a dollar. I smiled and grabbed my groceries. I didn't want to start crying as that was the last dollar I had and there was still awhile to pay day. 

That's a normal scene for us. Probably normal for a lot of people right now. Adam and I got back into credit card debt. Not because we were buying fancy things but because it's all we could do to pay for the things we needed. 

I read a study that people like to appear wealthy to others. And that is especially true on facebook. Most people who meet us are surprised to find out we don't have much. So I'm here to clarify how life is. 

We had both cards almost maxed out. I had been praying for a solution and it came. I was able to start a cleaning business and that has almost gotten one card paid off and made it so we haven't had to go deeper into debt. Adam got accepted to school and is now seeking employment in Arizona. 

We are selling everything we can to earn money to move and to continue to get out of debt. But we aren't sad about it. 

I think that's the part that confuses most people. We are poor and happy. I've learned so many things I never would have learned had we bought a house back in 2011. I've learned to give because we always find people here who have way less than us. I've learned to let "things" go. The most important things in life are people. 

I also know that God has helped me. I couldn't be happy without Him. Every time I think we won't make it financially, the spirit will prompt me to sell something. Or donate something. And somehow we haven't missed one bill. I have gotten so much strength from this trying time. I wouldn't trade it for anything.