It finally happened...

Last Thursday night just before Tony left for work he got a message from his supervisor saying that the company he works for needed to individually meet with all employees the next day to give them some bad news. He mentioned it before he left and I started to worry. He hoped it was only that they could no longer afford benefits. Last week they called and asked him if he wanted to sign up for dental and we were so glad!

So after working the overnight shift on Thursday, he went over to the Primary location to meet with his Supervisor. He called me at work and said, "Hey babe, just found out I don't have to work on Monday..." my first thought was oh nice. "..or Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or any day after that". Great. That's what I was hoping it wouldn't be. The company is contracted through the State and the State is cutting back on how many kids are sent through their program. So they were only keeping 3 employees, and one of them was a guy who's worked there for over 9 years so what do ya do?

Tony started school on Tuesday and is going full time. I was grateful that he was able to have a job that allowed him to still get 40 hrs/week and do homework at the same time so it worked out really nice. I don't know if we'll be as lucky. I'm just grateful he was able to keep his job for as long as he did because they thought they were going to cut back last July and gave him notice then but then they recieved more kids and they've been going this long. So we've been blessed.

I can also look at it as no more overnights :) Although, I'm still getting used to him being home more often. A few nights ago I woke up to the blaring glow of our alarm clock! I couldn't believe the small light had woken me up but I'm not used to sleeping on that side of the bed! And last night I woke up in the middle of the night, uphappy with my choice of pillow and reached out in the dark for another one. I found one and jerked it over. Once I got comfortable I realized I'd just stollen Tony's pillow! lol Good thing he's a deep sleeper. I quietly slid it back and tucked it under his head laughing at myself. I'll have to get used to sharing a bed again lol.

Update: No pic

I haven't updated because I haven't taken the time to add pics to my comp yet, but I figured October is too long.
We spent and early Thanksgiving on November 7th with Tony's family who all came home for Roberts Wedding. We hosted the dinner at our house but I'm so glad he comes from such a big family because we all split the dinner and I didn't have to cook the Turkey (which I'm sure everyone was grateful for because I've never done one on my own, and there's a lot of pressure with Turkey Day not having a Turkey).
The Wedding was great and we're so happy to have Whitney in the family. I love it when sibblings get married: I love how it takes me back to my own Wedding Day and how perfect it was. I couldn't have done it without help and I'm still so grateful to all those who made it that way. It is always perfect when I think back.
On that note, we had our 6th Anniversary October 30th and enjoyed an evening at home. Tony worked overnight the night before and the night of, and he was so tired, but he made the best steak dinner before I got home from work and had flowers and set the table. He made it through dessert before crashing and I loved all the effort he put into it. He's a great cook and I'm glad he enjoys doing it. After he worked as the Grill Chef at the steakhouse in Rexburg, I don't cook meat anymore which works out great for both of us!
For Christmas break we decided we needed a break and spent it with my sister Prairie and her family in Philly. We toured all the sites that everyone should see if they go there: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Love Park, Wannamaker Bldg and light show, Philly Mint, Valley Forge, and walked all over!
We went to Gino's for a genuine Philly Cheese Steak: loved it. The line wrapped around the building in the freezing cold: I think just going through the experience was half the fun!
We were gone for 10 days and loved seeing Larry and Prairie and the kids. They're all growing up and we see them once a year and miss so much of the small things that it was so great to spend Christmas with them. They were so wonderful to us and showed us a great time. We didn't want to come home. This was the first extended trip we've taken together since we've been married we decided we want to travel more.
We had some trials in 2009 but also so many blessings! We recognize that everyone has trials and are just grateful we can learn from them. Looking back I know I'm better for them and that we grew so much. We've made our Resolutions and I love starting fresh. Happy 2010!

Family Hayride

Every year for as long as I can remember, my Aunt Merry and Uncle Monty have put on a family hayride out at their ranch. We all ride the wagon, loaded with bales of hay, out to a predetermined location, where the hay was unloaded and arranged in a circle, where a campfire was made in the center. Dinner was laid out on the wagon and we'd sit around the fire, telling stories, visiting, and singing songs. After True and Andrea were married, we've enjoyed having the guitar and fiddle as part of the tradition. The kids usually start a game of hide and seek somewhere out in the dark, and we all stay til late, enjoying tradition and family.
When I was very little, it was only one wagon and he had Clydesdales pulling it. Now, they use two wagons linked together and it's pulled by the truck. After I got married and moved away, we missed some years, but it's so nice being back in the area to attend things like this. This year was a little different. I think it was probably due to the fact that there were a few new babies this year, and Grandpa Pearce has a harder time in the cold weather, but we all loaded up onto the wagon and rode out to the field. We made a few loops around the field for tradition, and headed back to the old red barn. Instead of sitting around the campfire, we sat on haybales in the barn and had a little more light and warmth. After dinner Aunt Merry started things off by passing around a cup of M&M's, everyone taking two different colors. Depending on what color you had determined what you shared with the group. Yellow: Something funny, Green: Favorite gift, Red: A tender moment, Blue: A lifelong dream, and Brown: A piece of advice. It was a lot of fun to hear from everyone and we sang songs until it was time to go, then Uncle Monty drove everyone on the wagon back home Some people requested that it be held in the barn every year, but I'm not sure what will happen. I think a small part of me would miss the way things were, but I also know that no matter where we have it, I still love going and sharing that experience with family.

Dad and Tony, waiting for the party to start

It was also Dad's Birthday

The first wagon

The second wagon

Inside the barn during dinner

Grandpa telling us a Bear Story

Music and Fun: True and Andrea were great!

Grandpa and I

Brinley and I on the wagon

The Fruits of our Labor

Last Saturday Tony and I went to his parents house and spent most of the day Canning Peaches and Pears with his Mom. She's an expert canner so we appreciated the help. We did about 30 Quarts of Peaches and 30 Pears. There's something satisfying, if not beautiful, having them all lined up on my pantry shelf, with the colors glowing.

My Handsome Husband and my Cute Sister

We went out to dinner with my family a few weeks ago for my little sister's birthday. She received her own camera and snapped a few shots. I like this one of Tony so I had to borrow it. Bonnie left for school a few days later and we miss her.

Dry Spell and no Posts

I've noticed that around this time of your the posts are slowing down and lacking. Of course, I'm one of the worst :-) But I do love catching up with friends and family and love reading everyone else's.
Normally, I really don't have a lot to post about, let alone any pictures even though I've found my camara, but lately I have new news (no- I'm not pregnant) I'm still hesitant as to how much info I'll share over this website, so for those of you who actually read this comment, you can decide if you want to know more. I've made a separate blog (Our Hope) for those who are interested. If not, enjoy the occasional comments on this main page which I'm still keeping. Thanks

Ok, Found it !

It was on top of my sisters fridge where I had apparently put it to keep it out of the reach of Logan, who loves to push buttons. Now where did I put the USB cord....