Gifts

This last week we got our tax return back. It was quite a bit more than we were thinking it would be! We were able to pay off our student loans, car loan, and our credit card. It feels so good to be dept free! We were also able to put a bit away into savings, that'll be nice to have in the future. Josiah and I splurged and got some toys for us and the kids. We got our selfs an iPad touch mini. It is super nice and is much better than the small iPod I had before. We got David a kid tablet computer and he loves it! We also got a fun bin/shelf thing to help organize all the things in David and Caleb's room. That will be so nice once it is set up.
We did so much with this return! We were also able to help out my parents. My father has been wanting a tablet for the longest time so we were able to get him an iPad touch mini as well. You should have seen the look on his face when he opened up the present! He couldn't believe it! My mom had been with out a dish washer for a few months now and hasn't had the money to replace over fix the one she had. We were able to buy her a new dishwasher. She is in love with it! My brother is preparing for a mission, so we gave him some money to help out with that.  My family was so super surprised with these gifts. We were blessed and wanted to share what we had with them. It was so amazing to see the surprised looks on theirs faces.  I wish we could have taken pictures of is all happening.
Today was a great day. We went to story time at the library and then went to the park after. It is such nice weather here in St. George that we didn't even wear a jacket! Our friends Morgan Dewey and her cute kids and Elaine Page and her cute child were able to come as well. I had a great time visiting with them. It always amazes me how much fun I have hanging out with those fun people! I need the interactions as much as David needs to play with his friends. It gets boring being inside with just us all the time. We try do to fun stuff. What are some suggestions to keep the kids occupied while in the house? We enjoy doing play dough and puzzles. What kid of things do your kids enjoy doing?

Crafting

Lately I have been crafting a lot! It is so much fun and very relaxing for me. I found this great website that has all kinds of fun crochet patterns and treats to make. www.repeatcrafterme.com. I have been making owl hats and a baby dress and bonnet. Maybe someday I will have a little girl that can wear the dress. But for now, I have boys. And they are all boy! David and Caleb love to make messes.

Yesterday they spent the entire morning playing in their room. It was wonderful. Every time I would go into check on how they were playing David would tell me "don't take away my buddy!" They both enjoy playing with each other so much! David went to bed early last night and Caleb kept wandering around the house looking for him. He decided 10 mins later that he was ready for bed too. Both my children were asleep before 8pm last night! I didn't know what to do with myself with the kids in bed so early!

Job hunt

We are in the process of doing a job hunt for Josiah.
The first week of January, Josiah applied for a job up in Cedar City. We heard back from them the very next day! It was amazing. They wanted him to come in for an interview that week. After the first interview the place called an wanted his references, he got a call back a few days later for the second interview to take place the week after that. He said that the interviews went really well. He got along with all the team members and the work environment was very relaxed.
We had been waiting for over a week when we heard back from them tonight. Josiah did not get the job but the company tried really hard to make a second position just for him! They were still waiting for someone from higher up in the company to make a decision about it. Keep your fingers crossed for us! I do hope that they will be able to create a second Graphic Designer job there. It would be a wonderful job for Josiah and help him build his portfolio.
I have started making some way cute hats. I'm sure everyone has seen the owl hats with the long ear flaps and big eyes on them. I thought they were so cute that I had to try out the pattern! The hats I have made have turned out super. :)
It is so fun to hear David and Caleb laugh and play together. Just today I heard David growling and was coming in to see what was going on when I hear Caleb give this huge laugh that made him fall down! It was so very cute. Being a mom to two children is so much different than a mom to one child. My children are such a blessing in my life. They give me something to do every day. I may not get the house work done each day, but my children are happy and taken care of. That's what is important right?
Caleb is trying to walk now! He can almost stand by himself and pushes a toy walker around the house. It is so very cute!

Working Rush

It's only Tuesday and this week has been crazy. I am working as a cashier at the college book store this week. So far it has been pretty good. I think the only reason I go back each semester is to get a little break from the kids, remind myself what it's like to work and let Josiah appreciate how hard I work around the house while he watches the kids. I get some money at the end of the week to spend however I want which is really nice. I think I will get a new pair of shoes and maybe some fun yarn to make some baby blankets for my friends who are expecting babies this year.

David is getting to be such a big boy! He is getting better at using his words and is connecting things together. Like when we get out of the car in a parking lot he has to hold our had. So he says "hold my hand please!!!" I just love this little kid. Maybe next week we can start on potty training. Anyone have some good suggestions?

Caleb is getting around more and more. He is pulling himself up to everything and tries to walk with it! Caleb has so much determination. He believes he can do anything. At the moment he is standing by David's bike trying to make it move. He is only 8 1/2 months old! I don't remember when David started standing up and trying to walk like this. If i'm not careful Caleb will be all grown up!

Josiah is finally done with his portfolio and is now applying for jobs. So far he has applied for two. One here in St. George and the other one in Cedar City. We will see how it goes. I'm in no hurry to move since I love this place so much! But Heavenly Father will make sure we get in the right place that is right for us. We will throw all our chips out and apply for everything. One of the hopeful jobs will stick!

New Years

This New Years has been so much fun! We were able to go up to my parents house Sunday night just ahead of a BIG snow storm. It was crazy. The weather was looking a bit cloudy in St. George when we left, by the time we got to Cedar City the snow was falling hard.
New Years eve we stayed at my parents house and played games all night. We each picked a game and everyone played it. Josiah picked cribbage and taught everyone how to play that. It is very fun to play that game with him. He still wins each time but the lead that he wins is getting smaller the better I get at playing and counting my points. David fell asleep about 10 mins before midnight. He almost made it! We watched the ball drop on tv, then all headed to bed.
Today has been really good. I got to sleep in till 9:30! I also went on a date with my wonderful husband. We went and saw Les Mis. It was wonderful. It made me cry! My mother watched the boys while we went to the movie. That was super nice of her.