My lil Pumpkins!!

This time of year is my FAVORITE!! I love the weather ( even though this year it is a little hot for my liking) , the festivities that go along with fall, and of course dressing up in costumes. We went to Zittel's Pumpkin Patch for Jules's field trip. Sean was able to go to his first field trip and I think he is a fan. He took some pics which I am never able to do because I am usually busy making sure I am not losing one of my kids. It was such a great farm! Very Educational!!






Love at first sight!! Julianna's first pick!

Did you know that Cows only have teeth in the back of their mouths. They use their tongues to get the food and push it back to the teeth. They also have 4 stomachs which when I told my son, he already knew that. Smart kid!


Anyone want a hayride!!

Julianna's happy spot! Petting Zoo!


Pumpkins ready to go!!!

Anxiety!!!

So, I just joined a networking group this week for reals. I was inducted a hour ago. My friend told me that I had to come up with a 2 minute little spiel about my business as a hairdresser. I can not tell you the anxiety that I felt of this situation. I sat, wrote it down, and probably said it over a hundred times in my head in preparatory of today at 12 o clock! I lost sleep over it, I couldn't eat my in & out because my stomach hurt, I was a mess. I know some people may wonder why the heck I would be so nervous. Honestly, I can't tell you why either. I guess I felt so much is on the line of this group. With Sean out of work, I felt like the pressure to make this work was immense. I didn't want to get up there and completely lose my cool. I sometimes get a little overwhelmed with these kind of things. I had not been that nervous since my state board test 9 years ago.
Well, I walked into a room of such amazing people who welcomed we in with open arms. I was sworn in if you will and was expecting my moment to sweat it out, when they didn't even ask me to do it!! I WAS SO RELIEVED!! I felt a huge load lifted off my shoulders and I must say that I was totally relaxed the rest of the time. When I gave my testimonial of my dear friend that helped me to come to this meeting and group, I mentioned that Sean had been laid off and about 5 people asked what he did and offered that I talk to them about getting him a job. I had no idea that I was able to get that opportunity for him and was so grateful of the resources that I am now totally accessible to. The Lord has put this group in my life. It has been such a blessing. To think I was not going to walk away from this opportunity. Now, we all know who was really trying to talk me out of it, don't we?? Get thee hence, Satan!!!
On a side note, my dad talked to Sean last night about his interview on Friday and gave him some pointers, one of them being that he call a salesperson about their job and get some info about the company. He was able to talk to my dear friend that works there and also a guy in sales. Come to find out, that my friend talked to him earlier about the interviewing process and it was the same guy that talked to Sean. Coincidence?? I think not.
We are being blessed in more ways that I can count!! I feel like the love of the Savior carrying my load where I can honestly skip!!

When one door closes...

Well, tomorrow marks one week since the day that changed our lives. It has been jam packed with events that will go down in Smith History. I am really honestly grateful for what happened. Bad things happen. Our former Bishop's wife got up and bore her testimony on Sunday and she expressed how when her husband was serving as bishop, they experienced so many trials. They too lived through a year of unemployment, a biking accident, grandchild with a physical ailment, loss of a father, and other health issues without health insurance. It was amazing to see her testimony beam through all the trials she had lived through. It made me realize that even when we have callings and are asked to sacrifice so much, we are not above the trials. It is the trials that actually make us better leaders. Sean will now be able to relate with anyone who has lost a job. He will be an instrument for good by this experience.
The day that Sean got laid off, he got a call at the very same moment from the company that he applied to a week before. It was literally one door opening as the other one was being slammed in his face. He called everyday after that day to make sure it wasn't given to anyone else. We did not hear back and yesterday, I was so frustrated. I couldn't believe that because Sean didn't answer that phone call, the opportunity just passed him by. As I came home today, I asked Sean what he did with his spare kid free 3 hours, he informed me that he went to the river and had a moment alone to pray vocally. He came home and called again and actually talked to the lady that we were trying to get a hold of last week. He has a telephone interview on Friday!! I am not getting my hopes up (well, maybe a little). I am grateful that he was persistent and didn't get frustrated and move on. I don't know what will happen on Friday, but I am so proud of Sean for letting the Lord be his guide.

Discovery Science Center

We went to SoCal last week and with all the last weeks events, I am now finally getting to blogging everything that we did. We had alot of rainy days when we came to Newport, so we had to find things to do inside. We found this museum in Santa Ana and I was pretty impressed on all the things we were able to do. The kids had fun at least.



4D movie with turtles that had an environmental agenda.


Believe it or not but this is dinosaur POOP! Look at it all!! Like how Julianna is sitting so pretty on top!






Lyla just liked her freedom to roam!

Ain't no mountain high enough...

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to hike Horsetail Falls. I have been on a hiking binge since Half Dome, so I was excited to hit the trail again. I just had no idea that I would be facing death by Rock Climb! So much more intense than I thought it would be!! So much fun though!!

Look at that VIEW!! I can't believe that this scenery is an hour and a half away from where we live



Climb!!




My hiking buddy and I tearing up the trail!! Loved having this time together. There were days early in our marriage that I know Sean thought this day would never happen when I would be the one heading the trail!

Dave and Lori! The all time best hiking buddies EVER!!


My New Hiking Crew!! Lori, Dawna, Barbara, and Dave.

Barbara showing off the Falls!

Sean's awesome photo editing!! Dave jumping off the cliff!

Didn't prepare for this kind of climbing! What an adventure!

Change

Julianna out of the blue today said, " Why do things have to change??" I was confused and asked her what she meant. She then went on to say that we have no baby anymore and daddy is home. Why do things have to change. I didn't really know what to say in response to that. All I could really say that I don't know why things change, but that there is a reason for everything and we just have to deal with the changes when they come.
I have been told by a few people that writing things down during this time is really important, so that you can go back and see how these times even though they are hard, you can see the blessings that do come to you through others. I have made it a goal to do that and even though I know a select few read my blog, I am doing it more for my benefit because one day I will make my blog into a book. These will be my thoughts although personal but necessary. I never want to forget what these days will mean to me or my children later on.
I am so thankful for my friends and family. You never know how much you are loved until something happens. I feel the love of my Savior through the people in my life. The other night, my RS president wrote on my FB wall before she knew anything and told me that she was thinking about me and was thinking I must be going through some things and that she felt impressed to tell me of the love of the Savior for me. That to me is amazing. First, that she had no idea what I was going through and how close to the spirit she is. It is such a testimony to me when things happen like that. I feel the prayers of all my loved ones as I am extremely calm during such an unsure time. As many know me, I am not a calm person. It is almost unreal how today I didn't have one sad thought.
I am loving having Sean home. When I told the kids that Daddy does not have a job right now, the first thing that Elijah said was, "SWEET! Now he can play with me!!" Through my tears, I had to smile and think about his unemployment in their eyes. Daddy has time to play! I made a decision right then and there to make the most of his time at home. I am going to play with my hubby. Go on bike rides, go to the store and so much more. I am going to use every moment to the fullest and realize that this time is going to be precious. He has been quite the busy bee since he has been home. He cleaned out the garage, sold our elliptical machine on Craigslist, and manicured the front yard . No bon bons and soap oprahs for him. He just goes right to work. Did I mention I love having him at home!!

Oh God, Where are thou?

When I was on my mission, this picture was always near by. I knew that any trial in my life was minimal in comparison, but it still allowed me to feel like the things I went through were acknowledged by the Lord. It helped me in so many ways. Well, again 12 years later, I go to this picture and it has been able to give me the comfort.
Yesterday, I had one of those days that tested my faith and wondered if I would be able to live through it. On Saturday, I found out I was pregnant. We were trying since June and the news was good, but at the same time very overwhelming. Work has been scarce for both Sean and I, and money was tighter than it has ever been. I knew that I wanted this child, but I was scared on the kind of life I would be able to provide it. My feelings were very conflicted. Well, fast forward to Tuesday. I was doing some errands and as I went home, I realized that I was spotting. I know there are many women who go through this so I wasn't totally shocked to see it. But, as the day drew on, I knew that this was the end of my pregnancy. I had to work my clients through it all and have a smiling face. It was something I thought I would never have to go through. But here I was. I had a miscarriage. A trial I can finally empathize with so many others. It was surreal.
Well, that same day, my husband came home and told me after work that he had news. Bad News. I thought what I just had gone through was the bad news and how could he have more. He told me that he got laid off at work. My world came crashing down around me. How can this really be happening. A miscarriage and unemployed! I obviously cried out in agony and my husband calmly held me.
This trial has been going on for so long. With the economy, I feel like it really hit both of us. But, this was something I really didn't think was going to happen. The trials are real and more than one person should have to bear for one day. But through this all, I am doing ok a day later. As I see the love of my friends and family that have shown compassion for me and my family, I can't help but feel blessed for what I have. I am in awe inspired by my husband. He has risen to the occasion in which I have never witnessed in our whole marriage. His new calling has made him so insightful and in tune with the spirit.
I know the Lord is in charge. I know he knows me by name. I know when I cry out to him in my darkest hour, he hears me. He sees the whole picture when I can't. I am sometimes scared that I will suffer for the rest of my life in this trial, but I know that Joseph Smith also felt this same way. He asked how long will his hand be stayed. But the Lord's response is what speaks such comfort to so many. "Your trials will be for a small moment. It will be for our experience." I know that I am being humbled and with it all crashing down, I am being lifted in my darkest hour. I may not know the end result, but I know the Lord. I know that he loves me so much. He wants to bless me. He wants to see me succeed. I have to be faithful in all trials. How I am going to do it is a mystery, but I know if I lean on him in prayer, I can succeed.