Feelings on Moving.

 

I have such mixed emotions about moving back to Utah.  I’m excited to be closer to family and friends but I’m really going to miss my friends that we’ve made here in Wyoming.

·        I love living in the mission field.  I have seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ touch hearts in a way that I haven’t seen since serving a mission.  I love the joy and the happiness and the peace that comes to the people that totally embrace the truth.

·        I love living in the country.   I love the wide open spaces and I love that the kids can run and play and I don’t have to worry that they will be ran over by a vehicle.

·        I love that the ward here has become my family.  When I need help or need someone to help with kids- I have my ward family to depend on.  I love it.  J

·        I love that living here its black or white.  There is no gray.  You live the gospel or you don’t.  You are active in the church or you’re not.  There is no gray- no fence sitting.

·        I have made some amazing friends that I hope that are lifelong friends.  I love my friends.  I love the times that we’ve shared.

·        I am SO excited to be back in Utah and closer to my family.  I miss hanging out and spending time with my siblings and parents.

·        I am so excited to be back in a neighborhood.  I love that I can sit on the porch and visit with friends. 

·        I love that the kids will play outside on the swing set and the tree house that Jared built. 

·        I’m excited to be close to grocery stores and other stores.  We will be so close!  (Instead of a 20 minute drive just for milk or something like that.)

·        I’m excited to be closer to the church too.   Its 5 minutes away.  Instead of 25.  Utah has LDS churches on every corner! 

Ya- I’m excited to be going back- but I’m really gonna miss living in Wyoming. 

Here’s to new adventures!



April SNOW storm!

It snowed today in Casper.  

 

We are snowed in.  And its crazy.  Who would have thought.

Martin's Cove

We finally took the opportunity to go to Martin's Cove after being here almost 2 years!   

What an amazing place!   We felt like we were wrapped in a large blanket with warmth from the spirit of those pioneers that had gone before.  I love this quote by President Hinckley.

"We hope that a spirit of peace and reverence and sacred remembrance will hover over this whole area as a beneficent cloud on a hot summer day, and that those who here perished will not have died in vain. I make a plea, go in a spirit of reverence and respect, and know that you are walking on hallowed ground."

(Gordon B. Hinckley, May 3, 1997)

It truly is a beautiful peaceful place.  And we all felt like we were walking on Hallowed Ground. The kids loved the idea of pulling a handcart.   They told Jared that it was so easy- why did the pioneers have a hard time.   Then Jared said- Go offroad with it.   WHOA. That was a completely different story.  They struggled.  They complained.  But they did it.

As we drove home, all we could talk about was how blessed we are to be living in this time.  That we were sure lucky to not have to be a pioneer.  That Heavenly Father does love us.  And that those amazing pioneers sacrificed for each and every one of us. 

SUNSHINE in my SOUL

There is definately SUNSHINE in my Soul today.  It's cold and windy outside, but my soul is happy!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Jared was offered a job by one of the hospitals up here.   That was a huge compliment!   After much prayer, debate, thinking and more- Jared spoke with his current company.  They offered him more money if he would stay with them.  So- we are staying with the same company and we are pretty excited.
Heavenly Father really hears and answers our prayers. 

Also- this past week, I've been able to serve others.  I know it's not that big of a deal- but I tell ya, Serving others brings sunshine into your life!   I made some meals for a friend who just had a baby. She lives 1 1/2 hours away from anyone and I had been worried about her not receiving meals.   So, a friend and I put together 8+ freezer meals for their cute little family.   What JOY!   And today- there is a funeral in our ward and I made 2 things of funeral potatoes for the dinner they will be having.   I LOVE serving others!   It just puts me in such a good mood!   We get to have the missionaries at our house tonight... and that is another way to serve!   

I hope I dont sound like I am tooting my own horn.  I just want to share the JOY and the SUNSHINE that I feel in my heart when I serve.   There is nothing greater.   May you all have a wonderful day and may there be SUNSHINE in YOUR soul.... today!

It does a heart good...

to know that people like you.    Jared has been doing his job at PhysIOM for a year and a half and he loves it.  He has learned so much and takes it all in and just absorbs it.   He is SO amazing.   Yesterday- one of the hospitals offered him a full time job doing the same thing he is already doing just with better pay!    It just makes me happy that people LOVE Jared and love what he is doing and love his attitude and happiness that they want him around them all the time.  

We are blessed and I know that moving to Wyoming was the best thing we could have ever done for our family.  :)

Sheriff Department

Let's just say- I've had a rough week.  I haven't put the reasons on here, but let's just say- it's been a horrible week.  (And it's only Wednesday--and it has nothing to do with the fact that it's Spring Break and the kids are home.)

I was SO looking forward to today's Playgroup.  A bunch of us have playgroup every other week and we get together- let the kids play and the adults visit.  I LOVE IT.  I look forward to it every time. 

Because it's Spring Break- Abby didnt want to get up and go with me to playgroup.  She said she would keep Gracie home with her. Jared was at a case- so I took the boys and left to go about 20 minutes away to playgroup.  We have an extra cell phone at home and I told Abby to call me or text me if she needed anything.  (We do have neighbors that could be here in a flash if needed.)

At playgroup, I received a call on my phone.  It said BLOCKED.  I just thought- oh- a solicitor.  I'm not answering.   Then they called again.   I thought- well I better answer.

The conversation went like this:

Hello?

Uh, Mrs. Allen?

Yes.

This is Deputy _____ with the Sheriff's department.  You have two kids here at your house that have been left and you need to get home immediately.  We will be waiting.

Okaaaayyyy--  I'm in Bar Nunn.  Can you tell me what's going on? 

No.  You need to get home immediately.  Thank you.  (CLICK)

As I sat, at my friends house, in complete shock- my friends asked what was going on.  I need to go, NOW.  Was all I could say.

I got the boys- loaded them into the van.  Made sure they were buckled and we were obeying all the laws.  Then I thought- text Abby.  So I sent her a quick text-  Is everything okay?

she quickly replied- YES

I said- Why are the police there?

they are just making sure we are okay- she replied.

Uh- how did they know you were home alone? i said.

She wrote back- A lady came by and I opened the door because I thought it was Dad.

What did she want? was my reply

She was looking for the Peterson's. 

All I could think- was She must of called the police.

As I'm thinking about all the things that could have happened- I began to panic. 

I pulled into the yard to see two Sheriff's department trucks parked side by side.  When I got out of the van- I could tell the engines were still running. 

The two Sheriff's deputies greeted me at the door.  Hello!  ( I said- trying to be extremely positive...hoping for the best.)

They proceeded to tell me that a lady had come to by the house thinking that we were the Peterson's.  One of the Peterson's had a court summons or something like that.  Abby opened the door (I've told them hundreds of times to not answer the door!!) because she thought it was her Dad.  The lady then asked for the parents.  She said we werent home.  The lady asked how old the kids were-  Abby replied 9 and my sister is 4.    Then the lady left and called 911.    The Sheriff's department informed me that legally- a child needs to be 10 or 11 to be okay to babysit.  After visiting with Abby (while I was driving home) they learned that Abby was very mature for her age and that she could handle things.   However, if the lady would have called DFS (Department of Family Services) then my girls would have been taken away.  

The two deputies were very kind and said that Gracie had told them she just had a birthday and got many things.  She showed pictures of our family.  

They could tell that we weren't the abandon your kids type of parents but that next time- we probably shouldnt leave Abby and kids home alone.  Even with a phone to text me.

They were nice and complimentary of the girls.  And then they left.    

We had a review directly after that-- we don't open doors for strangers.  Dad has a key.  If it was him, he can open the door on his own.   Next time, blinds will be closed, doors will be locked and it wont' happen.  (I SURE HOPE!) 

City League Champions

Jared and his brother Cameron have been on a city league basketball team.  This year Cam put together a team that consisted of all LDS guys!   So awesome!  These fella's did so well!  They kept winning, and winning and winning and guess what- they won the City League Championship!  

Way to go Stormin' Mormons!

Snow CRASH

Today was a super snowy day when Abby and I went to church.  Jared was home with sick kids.  :)   We left church early to prepare for our Hometeaching Dinner. 

I was going 5 mph and went to stop and slid into a parked truck.  I still don't know why he was parked where he was.... But he was. 

Here is the damage to our van.  I've called our insurance company to check it out. 

So awesome.  

{Update-- the damage is $3100 -- debating now what to do with the van. }

Hometeaching Dinners....

So, we live in Wyoming and we are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

The men in our area do what we call, Hometeaching.  And the ladies do what we call, Visiting Teaching. 

The gentleman that is supposed to hometeach us lives an hour and a half northwest out of town.  His wife is my visiting teacher as well.  It gets a little crazy because of the distance.   SO- we have set up Hometeaching/Visiting Teaching Dinners.   Once a month this cute couple and their kids come to our house and we have Sunday Dinner.   

Ward Halloween Trunk or Treat

Our Ward put on a Halloween Party last night at the church.  The YW/YM were in charge of it.

I got to the church early to help set up as I have a calling in the YW's.  I left the kids at home with Jared to get ready.

The party was to start at 6pm and at 615pm- I called Jared and said, WHERE ARE YOU?   He replied- getting some bling bling. 

I said- Jared you are late... GET HERE!

The next thing I knew- the kids came in all dressed up.  Abby said- Mom, you gotta see Dad.

And in he walked.... MR. T.

To say I was shocked was an understatement.   All I could do was laugh.  Seriously, Jared???  

MR. T did win the HOTTEST CHILI part of the Chili cook off!  He is pretty proud of that!

Another day in the life of a Wyoming family....

Stapley Family has grown by 6 feet!

The Stapley Family has grown in the past 3 months....

 This is cute Kapree Stapley.  She is Brad & Jana's 5th girl.

 This little fella is Jaxton Dee Stapley.  Devan and Shanell had the first baby boy to carry on the Stapley name!

And this little princess is Livvy Dawn Stapley.  She is Aaron & Lisa's little girl.  Just born on Friday the 14th of October.

With all these new little babies being born to my siblings- it make me miss my family.  Don't get me wrong- I LOVE living in Wyoming.  I really do.  But- when you are so stinkin' far away from your siblings and parents- it makes it tough. 

So- ya, today I'm a little homesick.  I miss my family. 

I am overjoyed with these new little ones that have come into the family and cant wait to love on them!  (So glad it's them having kids and not me!)   I cant wait to get down to Southern Utah to see those little spirits.   I really do love my little family here in Wyoming.  Sometimes a girl just misses her Mom and Dad!

Pork & Bee's...

This little gem of a resturant is called... "Pork & Bee's"

You walk in and it's full of Pigs and Bee's decorations.

People were smoking in there- which I thought was against the law-- but apparently not in WY.

The food was alright... kinda pricey... but the billboard is what took us in there.... WAY toooo honest.

When we moved here it said-- WORST FOOD & SERVICE in town. absolutely funny.

When you come visit us- we'll be sure to take you there!!