Where has the time gone?

Seriously. Where has the time gone. It seems crazy to think that it has been three years since we've had a new baby at out house. Having Haivyn was a very big and scary step for us, considering what we already had with Brynlee. However, it was also the best thing we ever did, and had I have known how much easier it would have been I'd have done it sooner. Haivyn and Brynlee are really great friends. Sure, they have their run ins, but for the most part they play together very well. Nothing makes me happier than hearing them laugh and giggle together. Haivyn is a good little mother to Bryn and I truly pray that she can continue to be there for her and help her through life and it's many challenges.

Haivyn is such a spunky, energetic, loving little monster. She has unconditional love that is truly amazing. She has a tender little heart and gets her feeling hurt very easily. She is truly a princess in all aspects of the word. She loves all princesses. She has many gowns and can almost always be found in one of them, or at least a pair of butterfly wings. I hate to say this, but she has taught us what it is like to have a "normal" child. They're a lot of fun! She brings so much joy and enthusiasm to our house, and I really cannot think of how boring our life would be without her. Haivyn, we love you!

Having Haivyn turn three also marks so many milestones for us. Cole started teaching in August of 2006. Haivyn was born in October. I was carrying our insurance, so I stayed in Cedar City working and waiting. We had also built a house that we were planning to live in until Cole got his job in Ferron. So, we had listed the house for sale but really weren't having any luck. Needless to say, that's a whole other story. We couldn't buy another house in Ferron, because we still had the construction loan on the house we were building. We were essentially homeless. Cole was living with his parents and I was in our apartment. The day Haivyn and I were discharged we packed up the air mattress I had been living on and drove to Delta. The next day we drove back to Cedar, signed the closing papers on selling the house, then drove to Ferron and were staying with his parents until we could find something to buy. Yes, this was my worst fear. I had just left a beautiful new house to live with the in-laws. So Cole was finally done with school, and we were leaving Cedar City where we had previously been for the last 3 years. Life was finally beginning. Or so we thought. When Cole was laid off in March of this year we were devastated. I suppose you never really know what life has in store for you, and I know something good will come from this. Although I'm not sure what it could be, other than unemployment, there are worse things that working in a coal mine. The money is almost double and I'm now only working 2 nights a week. Will he ever get back into teaching? I'm not sure. Will he go back to school for something different? The thoughts are nauseating. Will we move to find a different job? I doubt it. Ferron has truly become home and we have met so many wonderful people, not to mention Cole's parents are here. Despite many challenges, we have truly been blessed and are very lucky. Life is not always as it seems. We have become more grounded, humble and grateful for the simple things of life.

Brynlee started kindergarten this year. Has it been a good experience? No. Does she like school? No. Have I been disapointed by the school district? Utterly. I become too angry and frustrated if I get into details, so I will spare you. I would like to say that it will get better, but I truly don't believe that it will. It breaks my heart to know that not everyone thinks she deserves the best. My goal for her is that she can read, write her own name, dress and feed herself, and be a semi-functioning individual. I know resources are not always abundant, but I wish others had the same goals for her.

I have many pictures to post, but am at work. I will try and post when I get a spare minute. I know you're all still in shock to see that I actually did post something. More to follow...