Job

Dave has been looking for a new job for the last few months. We knew he needed to stay at R&L at least until we bought our home. After we got into the home, he started looking for something a little more stable. As many of you know, at R&L, Dave is payed strictly on commission. It has been rough the last couple of years trying to make it through the slow season and especially the winter months. Dave has finally found a job that will be steady and offer him the opportunity to be paid for the work he puts into the job. He will be a salesman for Pre-Cast Concrete Products. He will be selling the cement barriers and pretty stone walls that you see along the freeway. Our next door neighbor, Jeremy, works for Pre-Cast and he got Dave the interview. The process has been a long road and we have had many nights wondering if he was really going to get the job. He interviewed over a month ago and we thought that he just didn't get the job. Needless to say, money has been tight, but things are turning around and we truly feel blessed to be taken care of in the financial crisis our economy is facing.

I received an email from my dad, and it was a copy of President Packer's testimony on fast Sunday this month. I am just going to list a couple of the things he said that got me thinking a little deeper.
-"In the Great Depression, people were frightened and growing more so. They began to be very resourceful. They had to be. Looking forward, we're all going to learn that lesson, one way or another."
-"The Church is in excellent condition. You don't need to worry about that. But as individuals we will face difficulty."
-"Learn to apply the old Pioneer adage-'Eat (use) it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without." We're going to have to learn to do without. Even if we have the resources, we need to do more to be thrifty. Others will rely on us. The Church will rely on us. It is our responsibility and duty to be caring for ourselves, our family, and those around us. Be watching for need. Set something by that we can be of help to others when the time comes. Trust in the counsel of our wise elder/older people."
-"It's about time the Lord taught us a lesson. A great catastrophe is coming. Now I probably shouldn't say that because then it will happen. But it is going to happen. That's what it will take to turn our hearts to the Lord. And we will learn from it."

-"Take care of what we've got. Begin to save. The rainy day is coming. Reset our expectations. Give up selfishness. Wickedness is all around us. In today's world, it's not safe for children to be outside alone. We need to be ever watchful. We need to protect ourselves from the wickedness, avarice, and greed in the world."
-"Read the scriptures and the revelations. The guidance and counsel are there. Read with new eyes, and the scripture, the Book of Mormon, will take on new meaning."
-"Pay your tithing. The promise is there-pay your tithing and you'll be watched over. you'll be alright. None of us are exempt from trials. if hard times come upon you and your income dwindles, remember that tithing is equitable for everyone: 10%..If you have nothing, then it's 10% of practically nothing. pay your tithing, do what you're suppose to do. You'll be comforted."
-"Sure trial will come. Because of them, faith will increase. Happiness will increase. Security will increase. You'll be glad to be alive at this time. It's a good time to be living. To be raising children."

Well, I listed more than a couple things, but I thought I would share this with everyone so that they can be aware of what is coming upon us. Hold close to family because they are the most important miracle you will ever have. No matter what trials come, they will be there to carry you and hold you through your trials. Also, rely on the Lord. Ask in faith knowing that you will receive your righteous desires, and you will!

Warning--this is a long post!

My attempt at making a birthday cake for Gage. That is a 4 with balloons around it--I know it is really pathetic, but he thought it was awesome. he especially loved the cool twisty candles.
Make a wish!
He just ripped the presents open and threw them on the table--very appreciative!
We finally painted Gage's room. he said he wanted red and blue in his room, so this is what we decided to do. I have actually changed the arrangement of the rom since this picture, but you can see how cute it turned out. Dave did most of the painting and he did a great job with the lines. That is what took most of the work. We still have some touch ups around the edges, but it is pretty much done and we are taking a break from painting for a while.

Cameron (next door neighbor and Gage's best friend), Gager, and Cooper (cousin and best buddy--not to be confused with best friend). We were on our way to Chuckee Cheese for Gage's birthday!


Gage was able to have a sleepover for his birthday too. Cameron ended up missing his mom and going home, but he was over at 7am the next day.
Gage's family party at my parents house. Gage is outside with Tristan and Hayden, his cousins.

Sleepy Boy
Happy, messy boy
This is where Gage sits and eats his snacks so that he can still see the t.v. Bostyn is Gage's shadow.
We had Drew, Tara, and Addison over a couple weeks ago for dinner. Dave is giving Boss his bottle and cuddling with Addie.
I love this little girl

I know most people are not checking my blog anymore, but that's okay. Life has been crazy in the Butler home. It has definitely been a change having me at school everyday and the kids at daycare. I think everyone has adjusted really well and we are all doing great.

I just spent the last 20 minutes looking for the UBS drive (I think that's what it's called?) and it was tangled in my chair! So I guess I will be able to post some pictures of what has happened recently instead of just talking about it.

This past weekend, we went down to my parent's home in Mesquite. It was a nice break to get away from daily life! On Friday, Dave and Gage went golfing. Gage accidently pushed the gas to one of the carts and almost smashed Dave between the two carts. For some reason Dave moved without even knowing what he was moving for. Thank goodness he didn't get hurt. Dave claims he is giving up golf, or else never taking Gage golfing again. I think neither statement are true, but needless to say, Dave was a little frustrated taking Gage golfing. On Saturday, I played in a an outdoor volleyball tournament with my brother, Drew. I thought we were playing in a co-ed league, but I found out that we were in the Men's Novice division. I was a little bit nervous thinking about playing against only guys, but there were a couple other women playing and actually 2 sons playing with their dads. So, it wasn't as frightening as I thought it would be. We played 5 pool games, with a record of 6-2 and then we advanced to tournament play, won the semi-final match and then lost in the championship game. I have to say that I was proud of myself for not dying on the court:) It was really hot and a very long day. By the time we were playing the championship game, I think Drew and I were both dead tired. Today I can barely walk and I moan every time I have to shift and change positions. I don't remember the last time I was this sore. I think it had to be conditioning my 1st year of soccer down at SUU--that's really how sore I am, and day 2 is always worse with soreness. Tomorrow will be an intersting day at work!

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken a couple weeks ago by my super friend Kelli. She did an amazing job! Her website link is on my blog, so you can check it out if you'd like her to take some pics!

My New Life!

It has certainly been crazy going from a stay-at-home mom to a working career woman! I knew that this would happen someday, but I just didn't know the someday would come so soon. It's been a lot of fun getting to meet new people and talking with adults. I haven't had that life for quite a while--and it's nice. I miss being home with the boys, but I think it will be good for them to adjust to having other people take care of them. I am way excited about being able to make a difference in the life of someone else's child. And of course, I'm excited that I was able to get a lot of cute clothes to wear! Gotta love shopping!!

I will post more of my first weeks at school when I have some more time!

July in a Nutshell

Our New House!!!
Dave and I finally have a place to call home and we are loving it. It is soooo nice to have a home and enough room to put everything. We have such great neighbors and Gage is already best friends with the boy right next door. We are still working on putting everything together, but it is coming along.
Master BedroomBathroom-I think it's called a jack-and-jill bathroom because it's connected to the master and the hall.
Backyard and garden.
Back of the house.
Front

Kitchen 1
Kitchen 2
Family Room
Downstairs bath
4th bed/office/playroom
I will post more pictures of things as they come along. I am getting a new couch today that I'm soooo excited about. The laundry/craft room is one of my favorite rooms, but it has boxes all over it still. We are putting up some shelving and then I'll let you see.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Dave and I went to Cabo from July 5-12th with my parents. They have a time share at the Pueblo Bonito Sunset and it the the most gorgeous place I have ever been. We left the kids with Dave's brother, Matt and his wife, Amy. The kids didn't want to come home. Matt and Amy loved having them stay and were really sad that the week went by so fast for them.
Wave running was a lot of fun! The only bad part is getting salt water sprayed in your face the whole time. Last time we were in Cabo, we did wave runners and I was a little scared (I didn't want to fall in and get eaten by a shark!), but this time I just let loose and had a blast!
Hanging out have a Margarita! (virgin, of course!)

This picture was taken on Divorce Beach, which is on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula and the wind is really fierce over there.

This is at a really cute restaurant that's outside with little lights. The meal was huge and really good. I made Dave stick his head inside this shark--just because I thought it was funny!

I can't remember the name of this look through, but you can see from the Sea of Cortez all the way through to the Pacific side. This is usually covered with water, so it was a rare thing for us to get to see it. The other pic, is what everyone usually pictures when they think of Cabo.

My parents have some friends who live in Cabo, and they took us out on their boat for a tour and some snorkeling. For those of you who know that I'm deathly afraid of water, you would be impressed that I at least got in the water and tried it. The water was absolutely freezing and took the breath right out of me. I tried really hard to look under the water and see the fish, but I was just too petrified! Dave said that snorkeling was the most amazing thing that he's done in Cabo, so if any of you are going there--make sure to go snorkeling. Getting back onto the boat was so funny. Russo, our guide, would pull us up and everyone belly-flopped. I only got a pic of my dad, but it is the funniest thing I've ever seen!

This is at the resort. It's really cool, becuase these golf carts (that's what they call them, but they are massive compared to a golf cart) pick you up from your building and take you to the lobby, pool, beach or wherever you need to go. It's pretty neat. The pic of Dave and me is taken on the beach by our resort--the waves are too big to swim in, but they were sure fun to watch.

4th of July

We went to the Kaysville parade on the 4th. It was a lot of fun. Matt, Amy and their twins came down to join us. It was really easy just to walk across the street from our old apartment. I think that might be the only thing I will miss about that place!


We did some fireworks at our place after. It was a long day and I think everyone was ready to get some sleep. After the fireworks, the kids went home with Matt and Amy, because our flight to Cabo was early the next morning. It was soooo hard to leave the kids at home. I only cried a couple times while we were gone. I did a lot better than what I thought I would. I don't think we will be going on any trips without them...at least not for a long time!



Hill Aerospace Museum

Some friends in my old ward went to the airport museum for something to do, and it was really neat to see all the huge planes that were used in war. It was really hard for me because one of our good friends, Aaron, just joined the Airforce and he is done with basic and he and Emily and the kids will be moving to South Carolina soon! It always brings tears to my eyes because there are people who willingly fight for our freedom and the land we live in. I love all the veterans and I'm so grateful for them and their service!