Check-in/Check-out

I have not posted for a very long time, nor have I read anybody else's blogs. I have hardly facebooked, sent/read emails, talked to friends on the phone, or even just chilled. Life has been as crazy as it can get, and it's about to get crazier.

I have had every intention of posting more often with photos and updates of our family's "happenings", including Spring Break in Vegas, dance competitions and recitals, birthday parties galore, end of school blues, summer vacation, etc. However, LIFE has gotten in the way AGAIN and it has been very difficult finding the time, let alone the energy to do it. It will have to wait.

We have been "fighting" for a very long time (with builders, the banks, etc.) to save what we worked so hard for here. But, other people have their free agency and choose to do dishonest things that end up hurting everyone else. After putting everything we have financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally, into this effort...we give up. We have nothing left to give. Some things are out of our control and no matter how much we try to be forthright, honest, willing, communicative, flexible, and patient we can't change the fact that other parties have their own agenda. Our circumstances led us to realize that we needed to find a new place to live; take our family out of this mess and start over...literally...walking away from everything. We have been praying hard. Funny how prayers are answered...


Darin got a job offer he couldn't pass up in Salt Lake City. He had not been looking for a new job. Out of the blue, this new company came looking for him. They needed someone in their company to do what he does best (besides art, of course)...Director of Events and Recognition. The company's name is Max International. We knew the commute from Mapleton would not be fun for him to make 5 days a week and we knew we were probably going to need to find a new place to live anyway. We felt like we should find a place on the north side of "the point" (that part of the freeway on I-15 that becomes really dangerous during the cold winter months) to make Darin's commute shorter and safer. After doing a lot of research with various family members/realtors, we decided that South Jordan is where we are supposed to be. We found a home that we really like that will give us all of what we need, awesome living space, ample storage, and a place for Darin to do his art business. We look forward to setting up roots there. The girls are sad to leave the school they love and Brooklyn is sad to leave the friends that she's made here. Makenna, Dakota, and Oakley haven't had a chance to make a lot of friends here (as there are not many children their age in our neighborhood and ward), but will soon figure out how different it will be not living next door to Troy and Lynne Nelson and their boys. We have been friends and next-door neighbors for over 13 years, both here and in Provo and this will be a very hard move to make...for all of us.

So, everyday, I pack up a little more of our life into boxes once again. This will be our third move in a short amount of time and I am not looking forward to moving all the "junk" again. As I reflect over the last 3 years, I am confused in many ways as to why we were supposed to move to Mapleton, to be put through the stress and strains our family has gone through, only to leave a lot behind 3 years later (2 years after being in this home). The Lord has a plan for us, and we are still not exactly sure what that is. Nor do we know exactly what he has in store for us there. But, I do know that fresh beginnings can be enabling, restorative, and therapeutic and I am looking forward to that.