Were Going to Boise...Where's a Map?

Well, you guessed it, we have moved again!  This may come as a shock to some I know =), but to others who have known, this is just a travel log.   I guess I will start out at the beginning.  Jake worked for a new start-up security company last year, Sound Security.  We thought this was a chance of a life time opportunity for growth and change, and a sure way of staying in Rexburg for a long time.  For those of you that know how the security business works, you work all year and only get payed peanuts, and then in October, comes your big check, and that is what you live on.  For the past six years we have been pretty consistent with our income, and didn't really expect that to change much,  so we built our home last year.  After all, Jake's new job payed more and promised more, so this would be the greatest opportunity for owning a new home! Jake had his best year last year selling and managing, we were so excited for what that meant for our family.  Our goal was to stay in Rexburg for as long as we could until we went and did our own thing somewhere down the road. However, October came and went, and still no check.  November and December the same thing, and before you know it everything was sort of falling apart.  That said, we never did get paid our year-end check.  The man Jake was working for is a complete fraud, and took the money the company made and used it for his own personal well-being.  He put nothing back into the company employees included.  So when the other owners found out that the business was in huge amounts of debt and this man had used company money to do things like buy his wife new cars and furnish his house, the company shut its doors, leaving a lot of employees unpaid.  We actually were one of the lucky ones cause we did get paid some over the summer and a little in September.  Some guys were left totally hanging.

This has been such an interesting experience for our family.  We had to make some really hard decisions quickly.  We could either stay in Rexburg, and Jake would have to travel weekly and sell in different places and only see each other on the weekends, or, we could move somewhere where we could live and sell.   There was no way I was going to be a single parent, we don't do well apart, I could see this plan failing before it even began, so we chose the second option.  After doing an incredible about of praying and researching, we decided on Boise, ID.  We love Idaho, and we really wanted to be close to Rexburg so we could easily access our home in Rexburg as needed. Plus, oddly enough people say it is the only place where you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.  The weather here is really unique, and makes it great for selling year round.  We only wish it was closer to our families, thats the hardest part.  

Writing this, I don't mean for it to sound like a sob story because it's not.  This has been one of the most challenging things to happen to our family, and yet, honestly one of the biggest blessings we could have ever received.  I think Jake and I are different people, and I think it is for the good.  We have learned SO many good lessons in this experience, it wasn't about just having to move again, or not getting paid, the learning far exceeded materialistic things.. Though its been pretty difficult, and at times you think things can't possibly get worse, and then they do, but it has taught us to appreciate, and cling to the things that are most important in our lives.  We have the greatest kids, and we have each other, and honestly it was just a house, we didn't lose anything we couldn't replace with time.    

An added bonus is that we are really starting to love Boise!  Thank goodness for tender mercies.  We were really worried about Gracie and Ben, because they are old enough to realize we were leaving Rexburg for good, and that worried us a lot.  Our kids have loved the good weather, and play outside everyday, and have already formed friendships with our good neighbors.  We left our home in Rexburg with snow drifts up to our door only to come here and find NO snow on the ground, and we have even had a few 70 degree days! We found the cutest house to rent, in a great neighborhood, and Plus there is a lot more to do here, and that has been really fun to explore a new place, and make it our own.  Ohh I forgot to mention that Jake went back to Pinnacle which was his previous employer before this whole mess, and things have really been working out for him.  Another great thing was Jakes brother and his wife Luisa moved out here as well, so we didn't tackle a new place all alone.  That has been really fun, we have discovered some great things together!    

Pregnancy is going WONDERFUL, I have been feeling so good.  Getting pretty anxious for this little girl, but not anxious enough to want her to come early... yet.... Ask me in about a month.  I thought  I would never be able to replace my doctor in Idaho, but thankfully I happened upon a GREAT doctor and a wonderful facility, so we are excited to deliver here.  Oddly enough it will be the same hospital Jake was born in, that was really ironic for us.  Talk about full circle.. Anyways, we are doing great, and feel so blessed.  Here are a few of our little adventures so far, with many more to come...  

Somewhere over the rainbow
The kids love the Tramp.  Little Nate jumps with the big kids, he has no fear.
Gracie and Ben were invited to a "Cowgirl Birthday" Party.


Jake wishing he had my Dad's John Deere. (Our yard is a little over an acre of grass..)
The house was vacant for at least a year before we moved in, so there are a lot of weeds in the garden and lots of maintenance needed on the yard.  We are excited to make it our own though, I am looking for garden tips!. (Anyone know how to get ride of moles and mice?  We have burrows all over the lawn.)  Guess we won't be needing pets for awhile... =0)
                         Our Cute House!
Ben showing his mad skills on the little trampoline. 
Picnics on the porch. 
Playing at the park.

Uncle Nate taught us all how to fish! The kids had a blast. I decided I am not good with cruelty to animals.  We did throw them all back of course, but I felt so bad seeing the hook in their mouths, and Nate pulling it out.  (I am a wimp) 

Ben was so excited, Jake can't wait to take the boys camping and fishing.  


What is with my kids and goggles in the tub!  A bath wouldn't be a bath without them.  
When Jakes mom was here we took the kids Ice Skating.  Thank goodness for Nate and Luisa, and Mom and Jake.  Every go-around somebody would take a kid with them.  The kids thought it was the funnest thing.  By the end, they were all doing really well. I can't wait to have a go at it myself!