The "F" word

Sorry, I always forget the pics go on top.You'll have to scroll down to the bottom to read the story. Our Lake in the back and neighbor friends
Brett mowing the side Lawn and loving the freedom!

The kids first hunting trip with Storm


Paityns cute baby room, those are twinkle lights over the window. Looks kind of weird.



All ready for our Halloween party!




Summer just beginning!

My new flower garden I planted to put it up for sale


The Georgia Bulldogs. I didn't get to go, but it was an awesome game, or so I heard. Brett still wants to play for the Bulldogs.


Jumping with Ricks kids.We had our tramp on the side of the house, because our backyard was too sloped.








The backyard. I was so excited for that tree house, but the kids didn't play very often because of the snakes and spiders! Go figure.
Well, it's official. After 2 years our house was sold on February 3. I am so sad, and yet so relieved! We knew the day was going to come, but it's still a little hard to swallow.
I couldn't have said that 2 months ago, I would have welled up in tears. 6 months ago I would have walked around in a depressed stupor for days. A year ago, I couldn't even talk about it publicly, I was so embarassed. Aah the things we learn through our trials. I can't believe it still hurts this much. Knowing we will never go back to Georgia, but I still cry when I drive by our Mustard house in LV. I just get so attached.
Here's our story for those of you who don't know:
Once Upon a Time........ Just kidding. Wade was offered a job here in Richfield 2 years ago March. We put the house up for sale and he came out here to live with his Aunt and Uncle while he worked and I stayed behind with the kids and tried to sell the house. We had an offer after about 2 weeks, that turned out to be a looney toon. We had tons of traffic, but no offer until September. After much heartache, and absurd negotiations (like leaving our flatscreen, Hello)and after Wade being gone for 5 months, we decided after much prayer to move before the new school year got too under way. We got to Colorado, and our realtor called to say our buyer fell through. What now? We lived in a motel for 2 weeks, until we found a little house to rent. We payed both mortgage and rent until January, and finally stopped. We had another offer and 10 days before signing, they fell through! Holy cow, we thought this was our answer to prayers. The Lord had something else in mind for us. By May we had an investor come in and try to buy the house "short sale" and it took until August. Once again, right before signing, she fell through. Our third offer and 10th ulcer, and NOTHING! Our realtor called to sign us up again, and we got a call in November from someone else that was interested, and found out there was no sign in the yard, and hadn't been for 3 months! (I knew we shouldn't have trusted him, what a shmuck! The realtor I mean.) Don't know if that is swearing our not, if it is I apologize. Anyway, I just found out today that it was sold on the 3rd. I'm not sure why this has all happened, I guess it's just like any trial. We don't usually know the reasons, we just have to endure, and figure out how to be happy about it. We have been so blessed, and my testimony of my Savior has grown so much. I have so many blessings, and my family is healthy, it could have been some other trial. I am grateful for this one though. So yes, the ugly F word Foreclosure. As I was sitting thinking about it, one of the hardest things is to think about what a nice house it was. How beautiful, and clean. New paint and carpet. We had just redone the whole basement.I scrubbed and cleaned before I left ,and left it "Move In" ready. I was reminded of a Pioneer story about how they cleaned and swept and left their houses spotless for the mobbers. I was always so impressed with that. So, I no longer will be resentful it was so taken care of. Someone just got a beautiful house for cheap and I can be proud that I left it in beautiful condition. I know I am not a Pioneer, and didn't have to endure their trials. But, this is my own and like I said it has been a pretty hard pill to swallow. It sure has helped me to be less judgemental though. I look at people differently now, and understand that sometimes people do their best and it still isn't enough. I have also learned to be so grateful for the little things in life. Money isn't everything. I remember thinkin when Wade left in April, that I would leave everything behind, if I could get the kids and go with him. So, Farewell Georgia House, It was awesome while it lasted. Maybe this summer when the new owners are out on their patio listening to the frogs and the lake and watching the fireflies, they'll be grateful for a beautiful home in a beautiful area and be grateful for their blessings!
So there are a lot of pics. They are more for me than you, so I am not offended if you don't want to look at each one.
Georgia was a great place, we had so much fun and traveled to so many places. Lindsey was baptised, Bretts' 1st day of school, we lost storm, but got RUger and Gage, Paityn was born, Mama's little Georgia Peach and so many other fabulous things. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was a gorgeous place to live, and so much fun full of good friends and memories! Oh and the wildlife. Can't forget that!
We had to leave Mom and Dad behind in FL, but now we are out here by everyone else. It's so nice not to have to fly home every 6 months with kids! We sure miss Disney World and Nana/ Papas house and Lizards though!




















Check out my new "foodie blog"
foodisbliss.blogspot.com

Busy month already

Brett got his Wolf Badge on Thursday. He received 13 belt loops and 6 arrows. Way to go Brett!! He was so excited! He really did work hard on them.
My new Feb. craft. A Valentine chair backer. I put in little notes to go with candy for the 14 days of Valentines. For instance: Let me count the "Reeses" why I love you with a reeses pb cup
It's not totally finished, I still need their names on them and some other embellishments. What I wouldn't do for a JoAnnes or a Michaels during craft time. Wal Mart is very minimal. I even do these for Wade and then on Valentines Day I make him a lunch and the kids heart a tack his car on the inside and leave a plate of sugar cookies. We have done this for about 10 years. Crazy!!!
When will she figure out that snow is COLDD?? Silly girl.


My nephew Braxton was just baptised last weekend. Way to go Braxy!



Oh, and of course wrestling!! What would Sundays be without wrestling. Now, if anyone is interested in those beautiful curtains in the back, I'm sure I can make you some. Heck I'll even throw in the fringe with tassles for free! Hopefully soon, I can start making some changes. Still not sure where we'll be.




For those of you avid Team Christensen blog fans!! Here is what we've been up to. It's taken a while. Our computer crashed last week, so we have had technical difficulties. On top of the mom forgetting her camera. HELLO!! So, this is what we've got. Not very exciting I'm afraid.




Snow Forts. How fun, but ours are filled with leaves.
The kids took colored water and even went out and painted it. I just wish we had more snow!

Brett's favorite Christmas Present. Kinda fuzzy.



Almost as big as him. He loves to eat them! Gross.

Sunday afternoon hangin out!
So bummed that the CHristmas music must be put away. That is always the worst part of Christmas for me. We had a great year. Once again no pics, cuz I am dumb.
We had a family Christmas Eve delivered treats and watched Mr. Kruegers Christmas.

Christmas Day we went up to Uncle Rick and Aunt Em's house. That was bogus. I thought we would have all day to relax, but we had to beat a snow storm and we left at 10:30. I was not a happy woman, and I had to leave the house a mess while we were gone. That is one thing that is unaccetable. If we die, I don't want someone to walk into my house and say......OH goodness, what a mess, she was quite nasty.Now let's give it all to DI.

We went to Soldiers Hollow and tubed day after Christmas. SO FUN!! Will make it a tradition! GOt out to take a pic of the kids in the 8 feet of snow and my batteries went dead. DANG

Had Paityns Birthday at Uncle McKay and Aunt Tracys house. You would think I would remember batteries. NOPE! Her little 3rd birthday and her mom is a dummy. Hopefully Kenna can send me hers.

Came home for a total of 23 hours (enough to clean and pack) and left to Vegas for New YEars
Went to the temple, played Wii American Idol, and Knock BLocks, screamed in the New Years and lost Wades babies.Had to call our friend to come over and break into our house (see..., thank heavens it was clean) and turn our machine on, so whomever found them could let us know.

Went to Logandale for Day after with Jessens, kids rode horses, played with pups, played football, video games and had a blast. Guess what I FORGOT MY DING DANGIN CAMERA Found Wades babies (his hunting dogs)

WHEW, came home. Now We are home in our own beds and are grateful for the beds and food our families provided for our long extended vacation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I am going out tomorrow to buy a ton of batteries and have tatooed on my chest "Don't forget the camera"or maybe my forearm, I think the chest would be a little toooo tender.
My dear sweet cousin Jodie Daniels featured me, yes me. I know you are all thinking....."What?" She featured lil ole me on Friday Faces. Check it out. It is official I am such a dork!
http://www.mynameisjodie.blogspot.com/

Tradition Questions

This is our tubing video from last year. I still laugh so hard at it. Maybe you don't find it funny, but I do.

Just a little questionairre. I'm hoping everyone will leave a comment of a Christmas Tradition, or idea for one. Maybe even a homemade gift idea for kids to make. We are starting some new traditions this year. We do 1 activity a day until Christmas, read a story and sing a song at night, and of course it has been Christmas Music 24/7. We are having a "Back to Basics" Christmas this year. Very excited about it. We are trying to get away from the huge Christmases and get back to "The Reason For the Season". Wade is even on board. He sat this morning and listened to Christmas music for about 15 minutes, and he doesn't even complain about it in the car. What a good sport. Christmas is such a fun season, even if there is no snow yet. I would love everyones help, so leave those comments even if they are 3 or 4.