A new zip code

We lived in our house in South Ogden, Utah since December 2004 and we purchased it in June 2005. We moved out for 14 months in 2008 and part of 2009. We have so many fond memories of our house. We bought it right before the housing market increased and we got a really good deal on it. Darwin put in countless hours of replacing windows, doors, yardwork, and finishing the basement. We had a lot of help finishing the basement and we are grateful for those who sacrficed their time to help us out. We always had our eyes open for another house, something with more space and newer but nothing ever seemed to work out the way we wanted it to. When we were making the plans to finish the basement we decided to finish it the way we wanted. We had space to do two bedrooms, a bathroom, a storage room, a family room, and a laundry/utility room. Instead of doing two bedrooms we made on big bedroom with a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a jetted tub. Once the basement was done I felt like I could live in that house forever. I even told Darwin, "I can imagine our grandkids visiting us here." We loved the space and our house felt more and more like home. Darwin worked about 5 miles from home and his school was less than a mile away. Both sets of grandparents were 15 minutes away and we were happy. We loved our neighbors and our ward. Darwin is studying Computer Science at Weber State and he was working at Convergys (a job that he didn't love but it paid the bills-most of them anyway). We finally accepted that maybe this is where we were supposed to be and what we were supposed to be doing. Darwin could work 40 hours a week and still have time go to school.

On Tuesday, July 17th, I was looking at our budget. We were not making enough money to pay all of our bills. I was nervous. I told Darwin how much more money we would need to pay all of the bills for July and August. He told me that everything would work out. I asked how, since he wasn't going to be getting a raise and our bills weren't going to decrease. He said that he knew that we would be fine. (This answer bothered me because I wanted a plan, not just a feeling.) Darrin (my little brother) came over for lunch like he did every Tuesday during the summer. I sat in the kitchen talking to him when Darwin asked me if I was willing to move to "Denver or Wyoming." I responded that either place would be fine. Darrin asked me if I would really move and I told him that as long as we could drive back home (meaning Plain City) in less than 12 hours I would move. After Darrin left I went into the office to talk to Darwin about the jobs he had applied for. He told me that he had applied for a job with Lincoln County, Wyoming and that if he got the job we would have to move to Kemmerer (pronounced Kemmer), Wyoming. We looked it up on a map and I was excited that it was only 2 hours away.

On Thursday, July 19th, Darwin called me (I was working at Dr. Tayler's office for the day) and told me that he had an interview on Friday. I was excited about the possibility of a new job and more money but so nervous for the possible changes. I flip flopped about the idea of going to the interview. I kept  thinking that it was going to cost too much money to drive to the interview. I asked Darwin if he was really willing to move. He kept saying that he wanted to go to the interview to see if it is a job that he is interested in. Jensyn and Hurley slept over at my parents' house so I could go with Darwin to the interview. We left our house at 7:00 AM. It was a very nice drive and we talked about the possibilities of moving and what it would mean for our family (especially Jensyn). After Darwin came out of the interview he was so excited. Everything sounded wonderful and perfect. We were excited and so hopeful. Darwin was told that a decision would be made by the following Tuesday. We both felt like if he was offered the job that he should accept. We prayed that we were making the right choice. Our prayers were answered with a YES. We both knew that if Darwin was offered the job that he should accept. Tuesday came and went with no word from Lincoln County. Wednesday passed too. On Thursday Darwin emailed the man that interviewed him but he never heard back. By Thursday night we were very discouraged and confused. We had both felt like it was the right move. I talked to BJ (my older brother) about my disappointment and he told me there was nothing to be disappointed in. He told me that mine and Darwin's mind were now open to new possibilities that were outside of Ogden. I thought that was an interesting way to look at it and I knew that he was right. And maybe we weren't supposed to move to Kemmerer but somewhere else and maybe Heavenly Father was preparing us for something different.

On Friday, July 20th, my mom and I went to the Bountiful Temple. She picked me up about 6:00 AM. I had the opportunity to prayer my Heavenly Father and my prayer was different that I expected it to be. I thought I would pray that Darwin would get the job. Instead I prayed that we would know the outcome of the interview so we could have closure. I prayed that we would have an understanding and be at peace with the choice that was made. My mom and I got back to our house around 9:15 AM. Darwin and the kids were sitting on the front steps. Jensyn and Hurley ran to my mom and Darwin walked up to me and hugged me. He whispered in my ear, "He called." I looked at him and said, "You got it, huh?" He told me that he was supposed to start August 13th. We were so excited.

Darwin started working for Lincoln County on August 13th. He lived in our camp trailer for six weeks. He would leave on Monday night or early Tuesday morning and come back on Friday nights. We just bought a house and we were able to move in on September 22nd.  Moving day was a challenge since Darwin got the flu and had very little strength and energy for 10 days. My parents came up on September 28th and helped us unpack and get a lot of work done. Jensyn started school and has a great time. She gets nervous every morning and she is not sure she wants to go. When she gets off the bus she always has so much good news to tell us. Hurley has made friends with the neighbor boy and they love to play in the backyard together. Violet is happy (like always). So far we have enjoyed the new house (except for the mice in the garage). We have another basement to finish and we have to put in a yard, but we are waiting until we know what we want to do.

Things have a way of working out. It definitely was not how we imagined but Darwin and I both know this is exactly where we are supposed to be. We are so grateful for our Heavenly Father. We know that he has been mindful of us and that he has been preparing us for the change in our lives.

The kids in front of our subdivision.

The view from out dining room and kitchen.

Jensyn after her first day of school.

 

My dad (and Darwin on the very right of the picture) installing a dishwasher.

Me and Jensyn in front of the first JC Penney's. We went here three times with my mom.

Violet

Getting a foot rub. I am not sure how this made sense, my parents worked hard and still pampered us.

The kids happy and playing.