This year has been quite busy so far!
In January, Stuart began teaching 2 classes at the University, taking 3 classes, and teaching Early Morning Seminary to the LDS youth. It was crazy. He ended up getting really sick and being diagnosed with bronchitis.
In February, Alana turned 8 and was baptized! Alan, Anela, Staci, and Chad stayed with us for a week to celebrate with us. It was wonderful. Alana said the water was cold and I don't think she quite understands the importance of her decision yet, but I believe she is getting there.
In March we tried to keep from going crazy. The girls were really sick of school and I was debating whether to pull them out or make them finish. We ended up making them finish the year, but will be homeschooling next year. You have no idea how much prayer and agony went into that decision for me. SO MUCH prayer! Satan is working really hard to discourage and dissuade me from that decision, but I am trusting that the desires the Lord has put on my heart are His way for our family to follow!
One great thing about living in Arkansas is that the winters are much shorter. We spent a lot of time outside last winter, which was so nice, and helped us get through it! The summers are pretty hot and humid though.
Now it is the end of June and we actually just moved. In May we found out that the owner wanted her son to move into our (her) house (long, annoying story) so we got the boot. We found a great house, about the same size, but much newer and on a small lot in a neighborhood. There is a jogging trail behind our house and a park around the corner. My kids don't have as much freedom to wander, but it is good for us.
Stuart is trucking along in his PhD program, trying to find good ideas to research and making the time to research while doing all the other things required of him. (ie church work and family time). He's a swell guy and I am so proud of him. I really feel blessed to be his wife. He loves the Savior and he balances my crazy (not to mention putting up with me, which is another journal entry for another day). We celebrated 11 years of marriage last month by taking the kids on an 11 mile bike ride around Lake Fayetteville and looking at our dream house, which we did not end up getting. We still haven't had a proper anniversary date.
One thing that is very difficult for me is the lack of support I feel living here. I LOVE my church family, but most of them are far away and busy. I have some other friends, but again, they are all so busy. I don't have a family here. It makes the burdens we face sometimes hard to bear. We are joining a homeschool community called Classical Conversations, and I believe it will be awesome. But I still feel isolated most of the time. I'm neither an introvert, nor an extrovert. I find I need equal amounts of socialization and solitude. But sometimes I get a little too much solitude and find myself floundering with the demands of 4 young kids, a tight budget, and caring for our home.
It's all good though, because I have the Savior. :)
We will be visiting Utah soon and I can't wait to see all the people I love!!!
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