Our Basement Is Done

The After
Mitchell's room

Computer area

Family room

The Before

Can't believe we are done with this... It's been a year long project that has been so Fun at times to do with Owen... He worked on this and did it all himself and I am so proud of his determination to get it done... Looks AWESOME!!! No more projects for awhile off to start a new busy life soon of work and school... We are so thankful for all we have been able to accomplish and all the blessings we have... Finishing this has been a weight off our shoulders and now we can finely relax!!! Didn't Owen do such a GREAT job!!! Thanks Todd for your help with the electrical work and Aaron thanks for your help and letting us use your tools!!! I have one HAPPY 13 year old that LOVES US SO MUCH :)

My Chef

I love this picture. Owen is truly living his dream and when he is finished with school I am sure that he will find much success with being a chef... He is definitely the best chef you will EVER meet!!!

Challenged to Change Ourselves

I received a letter from Utah State University and I was excepted into college starting the spring semester. I am really excited but nervous at the same time. I am a 32 year old mother of 4. I was a young mother who has always done what I thought was best for my kids and husband at the time. Through the years I have had many jobs helping with the income to support them. Through the years we have always been able to get by. Our lives changed in February of 2010 when Owen was laid off from ATK. I found my self working full time at a job that I felt so unhappy and stressed out on a daily bases. I was forced to put my family 2nd after my job. I was being punished for being a minute late, stuck at the train, leaving to get my kids for any reason, and couldn't even take a day off without being punished. I have never done that and I decided that I NEVER WILL. The little bit of money I was making an hour was just not worth putting my family 2nd. To me family first is the very most important quality a parent should have. I just started a new job with even less pay and less hours now but you know what? My family can be FIRST!!! I am willing to start school so that I can get out of being stuck working my butt off in the small jobs with no pay and finally having a career. More money for my family and hopefully a retirement. I have a dream for Owen and I and for my kids and that dream is to be able to take care of them and to be able to help them throughout their life that our lives will be stress free from the chains of never enough. It seems that through my life that has always been the way it is just NEVER ENOUGH. If you or any one you know is on unemployment you know how little that check is and if anyone thinks that they can raise a family on that they are CRAZY. So here we are for now on unemployment and me working part time. Holy Cow if I could have only had a glimpse into the future. Owen is going to school and he will be done next March and he is doing GREAT and is such a wonderful chef!!! I love it :) for me I will start in January and will be done in 5 to 6 years. Sound like FUN!!! It will be so worth it... Can't wait to start and can't wait to finish. I just keep telling my self it's never to late to make your DREAMS come true. Life is full of ups and downs but we have it with in ourselves to make the best of it. I love this quote: When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl~ This is where we are. We can't change our situation right now but we can change ourselves.

I FINALLY DID IT

I applied at Utah State University last week... Now just waiting to hear if I get excepted... I am SUPER EXCITED to finally be able to start college and know that it's the right time for me to go... Can't believe I waited so long to go but IT'S NEVER TO LATE TO LIVE YOUR DREAM!!!