Green Family Update

Just thought I'd give you all an update on what is going on with us. Larry is finally out of jail (Ha,Ha,). What I mean is he is finally not working in the jail anymore and is back on the road working as a patrol deputy for Jerome County. The new sheriff is now in office and things are going pretty smooth. I started working in Sept. as a developmental specialist. I am supervising the developmental therapy for and developmental disabilities agency. My boss lets me work from home so it is going pretty well. The boys are, well, BOYS!! What more can I say? They are busy and energetic. They keep me hopping. Joshua just turned three and Joseph tries to keep up with everything that his brother does. Anyway, that is what is going on with us. Hope you all are well.

Welcome Westin!

Ginger called me this morning breathing hard and in denial. I realized right away she was having contractions. I asked her how far apart and she said about 8 minutes. But in ten minutes of being on the phone with her she had 3 so I knew they were a bit closer than that. For the next hour and 1/2 I coached her about every 4 minutes through her contractions while trying to convince her husband to come home because it was the real thing this time. Both parents were in denial, but were finally convinced that it was really time. She stayed on the phone with me until they reached the elevators at the hospital and then I had to let the pros take over.
So an epidural and a few hours later, Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well. Baby boy, Westin Lathen was born VBAC at 3:55pm PST 7lb 9oz, 18 3/4" according to Grandma.
Congratulations Ginger and Erik! Hopefully pictures will be forthcoming.

Draper Utah Temple Open House

Yesterday we were able to go to the Draper Temple Open House. It was really beautiful--and very small. I was surprised. Anyway--just wanted to post a quick pic. We went with my whole family and I drug my dad outside to take this picture. It was raining and very windy---as you can see by the hair. :)

Employment Update

Some have visited our personal website and learned our tragic news of Jhonny's termination last Friday. It came as quite a shock and he could spend hours telling you his opinion of how it happened, but it doesn't change the fact nor the probability that we won't qualify for unemployment benefits.
I've been overwhelmed by the prayers and support from our friends, family and branch family here. Our former branch president invited us over Sunday evening to discuss our situation and determine our immediate needs. He loaned us a car for Jhonny to use and offered him an opportunity for possible employment with his company. We aren't sure of the details, pay, benefits, or for how long - but it's something which is better than nothing.
We've pondered the possibilities of beginning a personal business in handyman/remodeling work, which is a bit daunting. I feel the need to study up on the laws and regulations about small business ownership. I'm sure some of you could lend some advise on that.
When I was set apart as a Relief Society President I was told that I would grow closer to the Lord during a challenge to come. I've been wondering what that challenge would be ever since. Well now I know and I'm grateful for the blessing I received. It's been a comfort and a hope knowing that the Lord is aware and is ready and willing to help us get through this transition.
The good news is that we will get one more paycheck before we're cut off which buys us a few more weeks to find new employment or pay if this opportunity works out.

WELCOME GRANDMA AND GRANDPA ELLIS!

I just got off the phone with Stephanie. She said that she'd just set Grandma and Grandpa up on the internet so we sent an invitation to them for the blog. We're excited to see them on here - maybe we can get more posts going on now.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Joanna

Digital Scrapbooking

I have been venturing out and doing some digital scrapbooking lately, and finally did my first page. More to come, when Linzy allows me time. Anyway, we are doing ok in WA. We just lowered the price on the house again. Hoping it will sell soon. If we don't sell by the end of Feb, we will consider renting it out. Logan has started basketball, adn loving it. Lincoln finished basketball right before Christmas, and Lexie is waiting for me to get her back into dance. Now that her ankle is better.

New Year New Stuff

We are overhauling around here. It started with trading in our old Dodge Caravan for a NEW 2007 Hyundai Entrouge. It was definitely a steal or a miracle for the price and the quality of upgrades this car has. Yeah! Thanks to Garrin for the advise and direction on looking for a new van.
Next - we decided to move the girl's room and make their room the playroom. So I painted this past weekend and just moved in their beds and dresser. Phew!
Now I've got to finish the "playroom" and get that organized. It may have to wait for another day.
Later!

Out with the Old...........

Well---Wednesday was the last official day of Gordon Ellis Motors. We've closed our doors. This week will be the difficult week of moving moving and more moving! Especially since our UDOT "dude" will be there watching every move we make.....why I don't know!!! I think he likes to cause us stress. hehehehe. Anyway---everything will be moving to storage for the next little bit...and we'll install a lift here at home--hopefully by next weekend so we can get working again

That's it from our little corner of the world. By the way----here's a rendition of what the new Garrin's Automotive will look like when it's done. Or at least---something similar to this...who knows if the final plan will change in upcoming weeks.

Ok Peoples

Who here has a New Year's Resolution to keep in touch better with their family???

Anyone??? Bueller? (ok..most of you are too young to GET that joke....sad!)

If it's not one of your resolutions---add it to your list. I'm sad that we haven't keep in touch as well with the blog---but I love the idea!!! C'mon peoples.....we can do this!!!!

I'll add a little comment :) Garrin got released as a primary teacher after 4 years...just last week. He's waiting for the new calling.... I'm still playing piano for Primary...I even read TWO articles from the Ensign during Primary today (I don't like to hear the sharing times twice each week...so started bringing my Ensign.) yipee

Okay so I tried to get a family update done before the holidays. Now here it is the 3rd of January, I go back to work in 2 days and I am trying again to get it done. We hope you all had a fabulous and memorable Holiday, I know we did.
This year has been one of firsts for this Jones Family.

January: we started teaching a new group of 12 year old kids in Sunday School. Our first time out side of the mission to teach the Gospel Fundamentals. I started working at the Technical college two nights a week. Interpreting for a deaf student taking Speech and Government.
February: we took our first birthing class and got a tour of Mountain View Hospital.
March: we welcomed our beautiful little girl to our family. This is when all the real fun began. I took the rest of the school year off for maternity leave, all though I only took 2 weeks from the college. In doing this Wes was left home alone with a two week old baby for 3 hours at a time.
Piper Ashtyn Jones born March 24, 2008 at 2:29 pm. Weigh 6.2 pounds Height 19 inches
April: I asked Wes if he had gottne a bonus or pay raise after one particular pay period. Wes called from work the next day to tell me he had been promoted to Member Service Representative Manager. Piper was blessed on April 13, and enjoyed her first bath in the bath tub that same morning.
May: We took our first family photos. Piper started teething.
June: I went to work interpreting 2 afternoons a week at the local technical college taking Piper to a friends house for the 3 hour class.
July: Piper slept through the night for the first time.
(That was a fluke that only lasted a few nights.)
August: Piper finally took a bottle after 4 grulling weeks of trying everything we could think of. Then 2 daqys later she took a pacifier. We took Piper camping for the first time at a family reunion where she slept through the night! I went back to work full time at the school district and to school as a part time pre-grad student. Piper officailly started day care.
September: Piper started sitting up on her own.
October:We celebrated our first of many Halloweens as a family of three.
November:Piper cut her first tooth and the second followed a week later. She also started crawling on the 24th. We hired someone to come in and tape/texture the bathroom and one bedroom in the basement.
December: The third bathroom is finished and fully functioning. We are celebrating our First Christmas with Piper.

Happy New Year from the Marcano Family

What a great year! I'm amazed at quickly the time has flown and already we are welcoming in 2009 in a few days. Here's a recount from our family -

Jhonny broke out with Halliburton in April and has been dealing with the frustrations of the oil field. The biggest transition has been in getting used to the schedule and being gone for days at a time. In his spare time he has been busy doing home improvement projects. He teaches the Deacon's quorum on Sundays and tries to make it to Mutual on Wednesday nights.

In June I gave birth to Gavin 3 weeks early due to PIH. It took a while to recover, but I soon found myself looking for more to do with my time. I took on a babysitting job to earn money for dance lessons for the girls and joined the local MOPS chapter. The biggest transition came when I was released as a counselor and pianist in the primary and called to be the Relief Society President of our Branch.

Jessica turned 6 in June and started First grade. She is at the top of her class and has E's on her report card in all her subjects and conduct. The biggest accomplishment came last summer when she shocked the primary by reading her own talk. Everyone broke out in applause and she had a big grin on her face. Her reading has only soared since then. Jessica is also involved in her fourth year of dance. Jessica has been a big helper and great big sister to Lily and Gavin.

Lily turned 2 last April and has been celebrating her birthday every day since it seems. Whenever her dad brings home a treat or when I pull out a new (hand-me-down) outfit she shrieks with pleasure at her new "birthday" present. Lily started dance lessons this year at Lisa's dance and after two lessons of the Mom and Me she was more than ready to move on to the pre-ballet class by herself. Lily loves to learn and play and is always doing something new. For a kid who hasn't grown more than 32 inches in the last year, she sure has gotten "big." Her latest accomplishment is getting potty trained! Yeah!! Mom is most excited about that one. Lily continues to entertain us around here with her antics and latest phrases.

Gavin was born June 16th and has been steady on his growth chart. He has a big grin and loves attention. He is finally sleeping through the night, rolling over and almost sitting by himself. He is a cuddly baby who loves the most expensive pacifier. I'll do anything to prevent another thumb sucker. He also cries alot when he isn't getting enough attention to which his sisters are a great help. We look forward to seeing him grow and develop. He is babbling at us and when he's upset it sounds a lot like, "Mama".

Our family took a couple of vacations this year enjoying Zion's Park in Utah for my grandmother's 80th birthday/family reunion. It was great to see cousins that have grown and catch up on everyone. We also took a weekend to go to Grapevine and visit the Great Wolf Lodge in September. It was loads of fun and we made some great memories there.

We are optomistic about the future. Even though we may pass through some tough times, we are sure of the Lord's tender mercies and his watchful care. We are grateful for our testimonies and the blessings of the gospel. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from the Garrin Ellis Family

Dear Friends and Family, Merry Christmas from the Ellis Family!

We thought we'd catch you up on the happenings in our home this year. It's definitely been a year of challenge, change and growth for us...but hopefully we're better for it! Garrin has had a LOT of change this year--most of it work related. Earlier this year, we found out that the Utah Dept of Transportation was taking our business property for the new freeway interchange. As a result, we decided to shut down our current business and split off from our partner. This change will happen at the end of Dec and we will open up Garrin's Automotive on Jan 1st. This will be a great change for our family, but not without a ton of work, stress and worry. Unfortunately, we were unable to find property with a current shop so we have decided to build one. We have been working our way through city meetings, offers on properties and all of that and hope to be able to start building by February. In the meantime, Garrin will work out of our home garage to keep his customers happy until we can finish our new shop. By the way--the new shop will be 1 1/2 miles from our home in Lehi--we are so excited! Wish us luck! Garrin still teaches the 11 year old boys at church.

Stefanie changed jobs in April, now working for The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) Physical Therapy dept as a Patient Service Rep. She works 3 days a week there, and usually the other 2 for Garrin--especially with all the changes happening. At church, she plays the piano for the Primary (3-12 year olds). She started a family blog this year and trys frantically to keep up AND post all the family happenings. Visit us at http://everything-ellis.blogspot.com/

Devin is 19 and moved back home in April from college in St George, UT and back out again in November. He's always on the GO! He is currently living in Provo with friends....about 30 min away. He first had his car broken into and things stolen, and then totalled the same car this September. It was his first car. He is currently working at Anderson Window Well Covers and installs window well covers. He usually works in Denver, CO even though the company base is here in UT. He leaves on Mondays early in the morning and gets home Thursday night/Friday morning---depending on how you look at those wee hour arrival times. He's working on saving lots of money for the future---whatever that may be.

Shawnee turned 16 and began driving and dating. She's in the 10th grade and enjoys being at the High School. She continues playing the violin and has a steady babysitting job 2 days a week in our neighborhood. She joined the ballroom dance class this year and just had her first performance.

Kaylee will be 14 in a matter of weeks and is in 8th grade. She loves soccer and has been on several soccer teams over the last year---most recently Eclipse. She enjoyed being in her first school play "The Comedy of Errors" by Shakespeare and was Luce and a Player. She loves "hanging out" with friends and having fun.

Jaycee is 9 and in 4th grade. She loves playing with friends daily! She has been in the school choir and we just finished up the 4 performances in the last 2 weeks.

We went to on a family camping trip to Goblin Valley with Stefanie's family in April, and to Garrin's reunion above Logan, UT in July. It was lots of fun! We hope that 2009 will be a great year for you and we'd love to hear from you! Email us at stampinstefanie@gmail.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Stefanie, Garrin, Devin, Shawnee, Kaylee and Jaycee

Happy Holidays from the Mullen Clan

Dear Family & Friends,

It is that time of year again. Hard to believe that another year has come and gone. We have had a lot of things happen this year that has definitely helped us grow stronger together as a family and as individuals and realize that we have a loving Father in Heaven watching out for us. In September we embarked on a new adventure and moved from Utah to Washington, and were able to go back to Utah for 10 days, and spend time with family before everyone on my side is spread across the country. Spencer and I also celebrated our 10 year anniversary.

Logan is 9 and is so helpful. He is excited to be playing basketball in January at the YMCA, and has been actively involved in the after school club at his school four times a week. We are constantly hearing the bouncing of a basketball, or the throwing of a football and have to remind him we have neighbors that can hear the vibrations of the basketball, and that something will break with the football.

Lincoln is 7 and has sooooo much energy. He just got done playing basketball at the YMCA and had a blast. It is great for him to have something for him to put all that energy into. He has really improved with his reading, and is looking forward to getting baptized this summer. He is loves playing with Linzy and can’t wait to go skiing this winter.

Lexie is 7, and loves to read and draw. She had a hard time leaving her friends in Utah, and her dance team, but has adjusted pretty well. 3 weeks before we moved out here, she fell on the tramp and broke her growth plate in her ankle. She is anxious to get back into dance out here. I will often find Linzy up in the top bunk with Lexie in the morning. She loves being a big sister, and is great at it, and can’t wait to turn 8 also.

Linzy is 2 ½. Time has flown by so quickly. She talks nonstop, loves playing with her friends, reading books with mom, going on walks, talking on the phone, and having lunch every day with Dad. Spencer’s work is only 1 ½ miles away, so he comes home for lunch every day, and Linzy really looks forward to that time. She is such a doll, and makes us all laugh continually. And she is potty trained.

Spencer is working as a Mechanical Engineer at Key Technology in Walla Walla. He is really enjoying it. We just got called as valiant 10 teachers and love teaching that age group. He can’t wait to go skiing a couple times this winter, and enjoys spending Saturdays with the kids.

I am thankful for the sacrifices Spencer makes so that I can stay at home with the kids. I was really scared about the move out here and was not looking forward to leaving all our friends and family back home, but have really enjoyed making new friends out here, and know that the Lord is watching out for us.

I have had fun getting into digital scrapbooking, and am doing great out here with Scentsy. We miss everyone back in Utah and love you all dearly, but we are enjoying it out here na know this is where we are suppose to be, and Walla Walla is starting to grow on us. We know the Lord is mindful of all of us, and watching out for us in all we do.

May we all feel of our Saviors Love this holiday season and remember it is him who we celebrate. Best wishes for a happy holiday and wonderful New Year.

Love,

The Mullen Family

Wow.

Okay, I'm gaining a new respect for Relief Society Presidents of the world. Or maybe it's just my very needy branch. I think I've clocked a weeks worth of service in the past two not counting the phone calls and preparation time for the past two Sundays and four days worth of work trying to straighten out the visiting teaching routes now that our missionary couple has been out to see every less active person on our very long list. I know that I need to delegate as my husband has so poignantly pointed out.
The problem is that I'm still trying to figure out how to do that. The distance is my biggest obstacle currently. It certainly doesn't help to live in the middle of no where. Phew! My poor kids have spent hours in the car on too many days in a row and I'm afraid I've got quite a cranky little two year old who is not getting a regular nap other than a few minutes in a carseat from one errand to the next.
But it is Christmas, I've had a lot of calls that I can't ignore, and I can only think about the talk given by someone a few years ago about how as an adult this person learned to appreciate all the service her mother rendered when she was a child. I hope that some day, my family will be able to look back on this experience and appreciate my example and not begrudge my time away to help someone in need.
I don't think I realized how time consuming this job really is. Mom said that this calling is the woman's equivilant to a Bishop. I guess I just never realized HOW much is involved behind the scenes.
So until I can figure out how to balance all of my new responsibilities with the old, I may be out of blogging commission for a while.
Until then - I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Snow Day

Yesterday, School was cancelled, because of the snow and today it was cancelled, so we got an extra 2 days for our break. The kids took advantage of the snow and went out to play. It was very fluffy. We got a good foot yesterday, and people out here don't know how to deal with that much snow. The roads don't get plowed, and you can tell people don't get the chance to drive in the snow very often. It is funny. I was talking to someone yesterday, and he said that he has been here for 11 years, and there is always one big snow storm, a year but not this much. Usually, when the snow falls, it doesn't stay long. So this is new for here, and they don't know how to deal with it, so they cancel school.
I went to walmart last night and cars are parked everywhere, and there was a road grader plowing one of the streets. None of the streets are cleared off. Yesterday morning on our way back from the optical center, we saw a snow plow, and he didn't even have his blade on the ground on the road. Weird I know. Maybe he had no idea how to use it, since they never have to? LOL.

Basketball

Lincoln had his last basketball game on Sat, and here are a few pictures. He had a ton of fun, and wishes the season would be longer. But he still had fun. The girls watching Lincoln.

He Shoots, He Scores!!!

Someone get open.

Ellis Family Photos

Over thanksgiving we had a good friend of ours come up and take our family pictures, since it will probably be the last time for at least three years that we will all be together at once. It was a really special thanksgiving, and we are so grateful for our family. Anyway, here are a few of the pictures.

Wanted...

I am needing addresses, so if you could post yours for us that would be very helpful. Also, if you have not been invited to view our blog yet, let me know ansd give me your email address. Thanks,
aShley

G000000000000000 Cougars!!!!

Here is our shout out to our favorite team!!!

The Cougar Song
Brigham Young University

Rise all loyal cougars and hurl your challenge to the foe.You will fight, day or night, rain or snow. Loyal, strong, and trueWear the white and blue.While we sing, get set to spring.Come on Cougars it's up to you. Oh!

CHORUS:
Rise and shout, the Cougars are outalong the trail to fame and glory.Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out As you unfold your victr'y story.
On we go, to vanquish the foe for Alma Mater's sons and daughters.As we join in song, in praise of you, our faith is strong,We'll raise our colors high in the blue, And cheer our cougars of BYU.

Goooooooooooooooooo COUGARS!!!!
This Sat is the big game (BYU vs. UTAH)

Gratitude

So last year during November I was posting things I was grateful for daily. I found that it really helped me think about things I was thankful for on a daily basis, and really helped me enjoy and appreciate the Thanksgiving season a bit more.

This year I have been a bit more down in the dumps and frustrated with life - and I think that might be because I haven't been focusing on the things I'm grateful for, the blessings I have. I've looked too closely at what I don't have, or the things in my life that aren't perfect. So I'm going to work on being grateful a bit more in my life, and specifically this month. Here are just a couple of things I'm grateful for.

• The gift of sight - We get a lot of comments from people about being "BLIND" - since our business is The Blind Guy. And we joke about it right along with them - but I don't think there's a comment that goes by when I don't think, "Man, I'm lucky not to be blind!" To absorb the sights of our world - or more than anything - see my little boy's smiles - what a gift!
• Colors - (this kind of goes along with the last one....)I love that there is variety in life. From hair color, wall/paint color, color of people - I love that there are different colors of sunsets, clouds, grass, trees. I love that I can wear different colors, eat foods that are different colors, and decorate in different colors.
• Taste - This weekend when we were up in SLC for our anniversary we ate some tasty food. (ZTejas and Rumbi Island Grill both have AMAZING salads!) I feel so grateful that I can taste things and marvel at the different flavors. YUM!
• Technology - I think about life as I was a little kid and it was pretty great - but WOW! life is so amazing with all of the technology available to us. The thing I love the most about technology is how it can help us stay closer and in contact with the people we know and love. I love being able to chat with my mom on the webcam or instant messenger at any time of day. I love that my little sister can instant message me a question, or that my kids can talk to their grandparents on the computer. I love that we can have blogs, email, and other amazing things all because of technology.
• Books and libraries - The whole world can open up to us because of books. How sad it would be to not have books at our convenience. I was reading a story about "The Little House on the Prarie" times and thinking about how the pioneers and our ancestors from years ago didn't have bookshelves full of books - or libraries to borrow books from. We are blessed by books in so many ways. I love that I can teach my boys by reading them books. I love that we can be silly, we can learn gospel principles, or journey to a far-away land through the pages of a book. I feel blessed that we have 2 local libraries and a bookmobile! (And today is bookmobile day - yay!)
• Modern medicine - our lives are made better by medicines, doctors, and technologies that can help us live our best lives. I'm grateful for doctors who follow inspiration and promptings, and who better the health of those of us who need it.
• Music - I often complain that since I have had children I don't get any time to listen to my own music. I have thousands of songs on my ipod and computer - but we are frequently found singing the ABC song, a song from Primary, or something from Sesame Street. But you know what? I love it all! I love singing Gabe's night-time songs to him. My favorite in our night-time line up is "A Child's Prayer". As I sing him the words, "Heavenly Father - are you really there?" I feel like I am singing my feelings in a lot of ways. I love that music can have such emotion and feeling to it. I love how listening to a song can make me want to dance, relax, or think of love. Such power!
• Family who I love so much! I think one of the things in life that causes me so much saddness and frustration is not living closer to any family. I get so sad that we don't have family around for Sunday dinners or family shopping trips. I hate that I have a neice that was born in APRIL and I haven't even met her yet because she lives in Dallas - and another neice that was born in August and I've only held her for like 1/2 hour! I hate that our family has to travel at least 4 hours to see any of our family, and that every trip to see family feels so strained for time. I feel so conflicted trying to choose who we're going to see, and know that we can't do it all. (anway - this was supposed to be a GRATITUDE post - and I'm just complaing about this one) - but the only reason I'm complaining is because I am so grateful for the family I do have and wish we got to spend more time together!
• Sunshine
• Comfortable shoes and sandals
• Warm slippers to keep my cold toes warm at night
• flannel sheets
• Changes in seasons - I might not enjoy the cold - but it is nice that it's not hot all the time.

I could go on - and I probably should - but I am grateful for so many things. Please - leave a comment and tell me something YOU are grateful for today!