Something new, but not really

So about two years ago a posted about Grant leaving Showalter Ford to start a new job at BH inc.  It was a tough decision to make.  Grant loved Showalter and the people he worked with, but with the economy going the way it was he just wasn't making the money we needed to support our family.  SOOO, he made the tough decision to leave Showalter for BH inc.  BH inc, is an icredible company to work for.  There are so many benefits to working there.  The people are awesome, the hours and pay are great, and Grant has his own shop to do whatever he wants in.  But, sometimes life has a funny way of letting you know it's time for a change.  We noticed a disturbance in the force about six months ago.  We thought it was just a fleeting moment, and that it would soon resolve itself.  But in time we realized that wasn't the case.  After many late night talks, many prayers, fasting, many visits to the temple, and more talking Grant made the decision to go back to Showalter Ford.  He actually started the last week of August.  He is loving it, and enjoying being with his friends again.  Believe or not over the past two years Showalter has been in our minds and the desire to go back has always been there, they have asked Grant several times to consider coming back, we just didn't feel right about it until now.  Leaving BH inc. was tough, but right. We know we made the right decision.  The balance in the force has been restored once again.  We didn't really make it public because both companies are amazing and we feel blessed to be a part of both.  This new change has been and will hopefully continue to be good for our family.  Grant has been able to continue his training and hopes to be master tech certified by december.  Woot woot!  This is something that has bothered Grant since he left, Showalter, that he wouldn't be able to complete his training.  The two years away from Showalter has set him back a bit, but he is ready and willing to get back up to speed. 
We would like to thank BH inc. from the bottom of our hearts for all they have done for us over the past couple of years.  There are many wonderful people within the company that have become a major part of our lives.  We are truly blessed to have them as friends and are grateful that Grant was able to make those relationships while working there.  Thank you BH inc. 
So, there you have it.  Besides the million of scout camps we have had the awesome priveledge attending this year (yes, I am being sarcastic, don't get me started), that is what is going on in the Schiess home.

My week with out "My boys"

Monday, Day 1 - Sad to see them go, but excited for my new found freedom. 

Tuesday, Day 2 - Woo hoo, got lots done, cleaned the house, (and it stayed clean), finished the laundry, went shopping,  chopped my hair, played with friends, and stayed up late eating ice cream and watching the movie of MY choice.  I love day 2.  I miss the boys, but I am excited that they are having fun.

Wednesday, Day 3 - Played some more, not really any house work to do, but still lots of playing to do.  Went to the Miss Unitah pageant.  Played at my friend Marcee's house, endured a thunder and lightening storm, stayed up late.  Missing my boys, but I still have so much I want to do.  Kind of wishing I had someone to talk to late at night.  Thank heavens for Mari and our late night phone calls.

Thursday, Day 4 - Got up late, still no house cleaning to do, I watched all the movies on my list, went shopping, went out for ice cream with a friend.  Laughed with Mari as we stayed up late on the phone watching Jimmy Kimmel together.   Good times.  Missing my family like crazy!  Only 2 more nights.  I think I can, I think I can...

Friday, Day 5 - Still no cleaning or laundry, I am out of movies to watch, all my friends will be with their families tonight, I am ice creamed and shopped out, I made the mistake of listening to the soundtrack from A walk to remember.  I want my family back!  I miss them!!!!  I don't know if I will make it to tomorrow.  The single life is not for me.  At least not for long periods of time. 

Saturday, Day 6 - My boys come home.  SOOOOO excited...

Do you ever really know a person?

Recently I have been hooked on the investigation discovery station.  I don't know if you are familiar with this station but basically it's re-inactments of true murder mysteries, cold cases, strange disapperances , kidnappings, and so forth.  For some reason I love it and can't get enough of it.  However there is one series that I just can't get myself to watch.  It's called  "The devil you know".  It has real life stories of people that have been masquerading as "normal, law abiding citizens", but in reality have a deep dark secret, such as serial killers, rapists, kidnappers, pedophiles, etc.  The big catch phrase they use in the commercial is "Do you really know your neighbor?"   This series freaks me out, but it has got me thinking.  Do we really know our neighbors and how much can or should we trust them?  I love my neighbors, I do trust them, we play together, have b-bq's, watch each others kids and so on.  Recently somethings have shaken me up a bit and rattled my faith in trusting people outside of my family.  I hate that the world is a sick place and that I can't trust people or places.  I hate that I have to really contemplate letting my kids go somewhere because I am worried about some sicko taking them or hurting them.  Honestly what has this world come to?  I just want to board up my house and never leave.  But then I am reminded of something my mom told me once when I was younger.  I once asked her how she was able to let us go places, and do things without worrying.  This is what she told me.  She said, I always worry, but I pray each day that you will be safe, and that you will make good choices.  I put my faith in the Lord, and that's all I can do.  I guess that really is all we can do.  I take precaution so that my children are safe in my home, the only precaution I can take when they are outside of my home, besides teaching them, is to have faith in the Lord.  It's hard.  But honestly, I can't keep them in my home all the time.  I need to have more faith and put my trust in the Lord.  It's like driving a car, I can make sure I obey all the laws, drive safe and cautiously, and be aware of other drivers on the road, but I can't do anything about the other drivers or the decisions they make while behind the wheel.  All I can do is have faith, and put my trust in the Lord to keep me safe. 
I know this might seem random and incoherent.  I apologize for my ramblings.  Like I said somethings have just shaken me up a bit and I needed to rant for a moment.  Thanks!

Round and round we go, where we stop (if we stop) nobody knows

Spring and summer has been as busy as can be.  Band concerts, school ending, camps, and so much more, I haven't had time to blog.  So rather than boring you all with a long post, I am posting pictures and I will give you a quick recap of summer so far.

Our fisrt adventure was Jayce and Alek's first band concert. Jayce plays the trombone and Alek plays the clarinet. Both are very good, but Alek has decided it's not for him and won't be continuing on with it. Jayce on the other hand loves it and wants to play every chance he gets. It gets loud at our house when he decided it's time to practice.

We attempted a drive to Flaming Gorge to see the tubes shooting water from the dam, but poor Alek got sick and threw up in the truck on the way there. So we stopped and got him a coke, and some pepto, and headed home. But not before Jayce and I savored the moment with a snap shot of us.

Our second attempt to Flaming Gorge was a sucess. The water was cold, and the tubes shooting the water was awesome and overwhelming. It was a fun day, and the scenery was beautiful!

Then Jayce and Alek attended Timberline NYLT scout camp.  This was a week long youth leadership training camp.  The boys loved it.  I missed them while they were gone.  That is until I got there and was parking.  Jayce decided to barrell into the car as I was backing up.  It made a horrible noise and I thought I hit a car.  I looked out my window and saw Jayce laughing his head off.  It scared me to death and I wanted to kill him.  Feelings of missing him were replaced with wanting to hurt him.  After I settled down, I was able to laugh about it and gave him a big hug.   Alek, however, hugged me and didn't stop for about a minute.  It was a very tender moment that made me tear up a little.  I love my boys! 1 camp down 3 to go.

Last week we hung out at Vernal's one and only outdoor pool and waterslide, The Big Kahuna. It was a blast and we had great company. The boys went with Isaac and Hunter. These four boys have been friends since they were born and have an awesome friendship. I couldn't get a picture of Isaac and Hunter, but I will get them next time for sure!

These are a few of the things we have done.  For the most part life has been fun filled and busy!  We still have a ton planned and hope to get through it all before the summer ends.  Our family leaves for Philmont this Friday.  Grant is way more excited for it than I am, but I am trying to be a good sport and smile.  It's just that I haven't slept in a tent in over 10 years, and I really don't want to start now.  Doesn't look like I have much of a choice.  Oh well,  I am excited for the fun family times we are going to have and the two hotel stays in between. 

Two weeks after we get back all three boys pack up AGAIN and head to scout camp with our ward.  Like I said we are busy.  At least the boys are. 

There you go, the Schiess family summer so far in a nut shell!

Mother I love you, Mother I do...

As Mother's day has steadily been approaching I have found myself reflecting on me as a mother, my own mother, and all the women who have made a difference to me in my life.  I have always wanted to be a mom.  It has been the ultimate goal for me.  I remember when I received  my partriarichal blessing I was promised I would be a mother.  That's all I could focus on.  I was so excited to think that someday I would have my own children.  And then I remember feeling a little bit of fear.  Questions filled my mind of what kind of children I would have, would they be righteous? Would they be honest?  Would they be good students?  Will they be kind to others?   Will they love me?  Will they be friends or will they fight?  All these questions and more went through my head.  I can't say that I was afraid, but I was definately nervous.  I knew I had a lot of learning and growing to do.  I used to watch my mom, and would think, I want to be just like her.  So I studied her, and watched her, listened to her (when it suited me of course) and paid attention to the little details.  That's when I realized that I have the best mom in the world, and there is no way I can ever do all that she has done, although I will never stop trying!  Years later when I became a mom and she became a grandma I remember thinking how blessed I was and am to have her as my mom.  I can't remember her ever really yelling at me, or spanking me, or saying unkind words to me.  She taught me with love and gentle words.  I wish I could say that I am that kind of mom.  But I still have some work to do.  I am just grateful that I have someone like my mom to emmulate.  Thank you mom for always being the example and for always teaching me.  I always thought by this time in my life I would know everything, that I would have the answers to all the questions my kids asked and know just what to do in any situation.  Sadly, I don't have all the answers and I don't know what to do in every situation.  I just hope I handle those situations like my mom did, with a smile and a sigh, and always an "I love you" in there somewhere. 
I am so thankful for Jayce and Alek.  They bring so much joy to my heart and so much spunk to my life.  They are the light and love of my life.  I am grateful to be a mom, and that they chose me to be their mom.  They are patient with me and love me even when I am not at my best.  It scares me to think that someday they will leave me.  I hope and pray that I will have taught them well and that they will know just how much I love them and will always be here for them.  I hope they have a testimony and trust Heaveny Father to lead them.  Most of all I hope and pray they find a wife as wonderful as my mom! 
I would like to thank all the women in my life who have loved me and taught me.  I would not be the same person without the influence you made in my life.  I don't have enough room to name you all one by one.  I just hope you know that I am grateful for you and for your love, patience, and example. 
I need to thank my dad too.  Because of him I have always known my divine nature, that I am a daughter of God.  He called me princess, and treated my like a princess.  I would not be the mom I am without his love and constant reminder that I am a daughter of God.  I love you dad! 

I hope you all have a wonderful mother's day.  I pray that you will take just a moment to reflect on your own mom, or someone that has been a mom to you.  Take a moment to ponder what a mother really is.  And most of all give your little ones that allowed you to become a mother a love, and tell them thank you for letting you be their mom.  Nothing in this world will ever compare. to being a mom! 
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Come listen to a prophets voice

We had the very awesome opportunity to attend the Saturday session of General Conference.  It was an incredible moment.  I have attended conference before, but never in the conference center, and never with my boys.  When they were born I made a goal to take them to conference when they were twelve.  I am grateful I was able to fulfill my goal.

When we arrived early Saturday morning, I could feel the Spirit so strong.  Everything I looked at, heard, or touched brought a tear to my eye.  We watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice and rehearse the songs they were going to preform.  That was amazing. We looked around the conference center and admired it's beauty, we watched as people filled the seats, we talked as a family about what we were going to see and here, THEN, the prophet walked in and I lost it. The spirit was so strong, and a rush of emotions flooded through me.  I couldn't hardely contain myself.  I was looking at the prophet.  I could feel his love and the love of our Savior as he walked to his seat.  I will never be able to beat that feeling. I am grateful that I had this opportunity, and that I could share it with the three people I love most, Grant, Jayce, and Alek. 

I am so grateful for President Monson, President Uchdorf, and President Eyering and for their faith, and willingness to do the Lords will.  I am grateful to live in Utah where I can attend conference.  I am grateful for the opportunity for my boys to be able to see the prophet, to hear him in person, and to be able to feel how much he loves them.  

Attending conference was an overwhelming experience, one I can't put words to.  I wish I could record my feelings and post them.  Then you would be able to see how blessed, and grateful I feel. 

The three most handsome men in the world!

Waiting for conference to start.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Alek

Jayce

Isn't it beautiful?