Here we go again...

Almost never in my life have I felt so many emotions and all at the same time!  Dave announced today to his staff and yesterday to the Board of this hospital that we are leaving Scobey.  We are taking a job promotion with Dave's company, Billings Clinic, for him to be CEO in Columbus, MT at the Stillwater Hospital there.

We were never looking for a job, because we are content here and really do love it.  Yes, Dave's seen lots in his almost two years here, and it hasn't been easy.  No, we're not bailing because it is hard or because we don't like Scobey.  Last summer, Dave's boss Vern came to Dave and told him he thought he should apply for the CEO opening of the hospital down there, thinking he'd be a good fit.  Dave brushed it off and they got an interim for that.  Well, last fall, Vern passed it along again, telling Dave he thinks he'd like it there.  Then, in December, Vern and Dr. Seger called, telling Dave they were totally serious and just can't not think of him for this position.  They told Dave he's a "tried and true commodity" and they don't want to loose him.  They feel he fits right in with the Billings Clinic team, mission, culture and vision.  Dave said he wasn't looking to get out but he would think about it and talk to us about it.  Dave also told them the next move we'd make would be for a long time, at least letting Emma finish school and perhaps longer. They said they would do anything to get him in and they said they really appreciate his talent and feel that someday, if he is done with the CEO business, he could commute the 40 minutes or so and work at the flagship Billings Clinic in upper management.  Well, we weren't really serious about it at first.  And then, when we were driving down to visit family for Christmas, there was an accident and we were detoured to Columbus.  We kind of felt like that might be a sign for our family, though it sounds kind of silly.  We drove around a bit, and though moving away was the thing furthest from our minds, in our hearts, Dave and I felt it coming.  So in January, Dave threw in his resume.  They had other good applicants, but didn't feel like any of them would be a good fit.  We made this a family decision.  We made pros and cons lists of both Scobey and Columbus, did research about this new area, and then during our two days off school in March, we went to Columbus and surrounding areas and toured the schools, visited places like the park and pool, grocery store, library and other local places, got an idea for real estate and different neighborhoods and areas, checked out area wards and branch, timed the distance from Columbus to other locations (like Walmart and places in Billings...only about a half an hour to Walmart rather than 2 hours!), and drove around.  Dave had his couple of days of interviews, which were the strangest interviews he's had because the upper management already knows him and more told him about the hospital, the staff, the position, etc.  And then he met with the providers and staff at the Stillwater hospital.  It was a good experience and he was impressed with the facility and the team there.  The busiest provider of all of Billings Clinics hospitals is there and many of the employees are seasoned and have been there a long time.  So we had that and the offer came in a week later.  We thought it over, negotiated a bit and had about a week to decide. We made it a matter of more fasting and prayer.  The day came when we needed to decide, we said a final prayer, still split a little on feelings.  Then a peaceful feeling came over us all and we knew it was the right thing, though not easy.  Emma has especially struggled over the idea of moving.  She was quiet for several days and we shed tears together.  There are such great girls her age around here and starting junior high school as the new girl does not sound fun to her.  At first when we told her about it, she was so excited that we'd be closer to family but then reality hit and she realized she'd have to start all over again.  And she was against it.  But after lots of thought and coaxing and talking to Grandma on the phone about it, she felt much better.  So I'm glad, I worried and talked to her and prayed for her much!  It will all be good in the end.  As we were playing a game recently, and the question came up for Emma to answer "What is one of the best decisons you've made?"  She responded that the choice to move to Columbus.  Wow!  I was floored.  And she keeps praying that "we'll be happy when we move to Columbus".

Dave told his board president first who was quite sad to see him leave, and then the board.  They often say he did more in one year than the last guy did in 5.  They joked he hadn't signed any documents yet so there was still time for him to change his mind.  The next day, Dave made his announcement to the staff.  There were tears and it was quiet.  So many expressed how much he'd be missed and they were just shocked really.  Then, I told a few friends.  And by that night, the whole town knew, haha!  We got a call with someone saying they wanted to see our house (someone at the board meeting the previous night did tell Dave to clean the house because there would be people knocking wanting to come see it) and they came that night.   I got in touch with a few friends after that to let them know. And then that night, I had to get it out there to the rest of our friends, so I posted this on Facebook/Instagram:

Feeling everything right now! Dave took a rare opportunity for the hospital CEO position in Columbus, MT. We have never been more torn on making this decision to leave Scobey as we were planning on being here for several more years, or potentially longer. We are so sad to be leaving this incredibly unique little community and the people of Scobey we've come to love so much! It's been such a tough decision and I seriously have never had so many mixed emotions where I am excited for the road ahead one moment and then feel like crying the next. But we know it is the right choice and right time for our family. Scobey will forever be in our hearts.

❤We had calls and texts and visits of people coming over seeing if there was anything they could do to make us change our minds, telling us there would be a huge void here, friends and the kid's friends crying and sad.  We've had people hit us in the head (jokingly) and people telling us to send Dave and the kids and I stay here.  It's been pretty funny and sad. Luckily, many of our friends travel to Billings or pass through that way often, so we can have visitors hopefully a lot! And Dave's already talking about coming back for Pioneer Town and the Dirty Shame Show some years.  This has been a rough week but I keep reminding myself to "Trust with the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto they own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thee for good."  (Proverbs 3:5)  Thankful to have guidance in life from the Lord of all.

We are excited to put our hearts into and making Columbus home!

And action...Dave is 36!

We were able to celebrate our star Dave's 36th birthday on a Friday night.  We had a movie night themed birthday for him. We made Dave's cake and cleaned and planned his party during the day while he was gone. We made a moist chocolate devils food cake and homemade fudge frosting cake look like a movie ticket with the help of some fondant and jelly beans.  Dave was in Miles City that day and brought home Little Ceasars (which is a treat for us!) for dinner.  We had that with salad, red jello, and sparkling lemon watermelon water.  It was fun for us to all talk together during dinner.  Dave was at a conference and we missed him, even if it was just over night!  The things the kids said they loved about Dave as we went around the table - that he wrestles with us, brings us back presents when he goes out of town, that he is nice, that he says funny things, and I said that he looks on the bright side of life and is optimistic.  Grandpa Chuck and Grandma Sue and Grandpa Dan also called that night, which was fun for Dave to talk to them. We have a great family and Dave is great because of who he was surrounded by growing up.  Then, we did our own "walk of fame".  Everyone got to paint their hands and make "impressions" on their paper, and do a signature on a star to put on our wall.  Dave just wanted to trace his, he's a good sport. ;)  Then we did a movie music quiz challenge - we played a bunch of movie songs and saw who could name the movie first.  We did pretty well and there were only a few we didn't know.  Dave really got into that one!  We also had some movie trivia questions, but didn't do much with that.  We got the candles in the cake and Lucy lectured Dave on being careful with fire, and then we sang to this great guy.  We enjoyed the cake along with cookie dough ice cream.  Then Dave got to pick a movie and we did a movie theater at home.  He picked "The Greatest Showman", yessss!  It's such a good one.  Emma and I popped some popcorn from our big popcorn machine and we had jelly beans and peanuts to mix in.  I even made it through the whole movie, so you know it's been a good one. The next morning, we opened all of the cards and a few gifts.  Dave was happy to see them all but even happier to be hanging out with his supporting cast.  We sure love this guy, he is the greatest show man!

3 for 1 - Conference, Easter and April Fools weekend!

We always hear "the reason for the season" is Jesus around Christmas time, but there's another season that Jesus is the reason - Easter.  And because of Easter, everyday really.

When Lucy was at Girl Scouts a week before, they were cleaning out the sanctuary in the Lutheran Church.  Her leaders told me Lucy was telling them all about Easter and why we do celebrate it.  They were asking questions about Jesus, like "Does Jesus have friends?" And Lucy replied "Yes, Jesus had friends. He had his disciples and apostles, they were His friends."  The Girl Scout leader, also Christian, was asking questions as well and was impressed with her knowledge of the Savior and His life, atonement, crucifixion and resurrection.  (She just wasn't quite sure what Good Friday was, we'd talked about it before but don't really celebrate is as we tend to focus on the resurrection)  Lucy's troop leader thought it was so sweet and just had to tell me.  I'm glad she did.

The weekend before Easter, we decided to do an "Easter Art Gallery".  Some of our kids really feel the Spirit through seeing beautiful religious themed art work, so I decided we'd do our own.  We wrote down events during the Savior's last week on little slips of paper and everyone got to draw one and create a work of art representing that event.  Everyone got to work and enjoyed creating something to celebrate the life leading to the resurrection of Christ.  We shared them all with each other.  It was neat what everyone came up with and we hung it all up in our craft room.  ...

Mark & Mayela decided to come for Easter weekend.  It was so nice they were able to come, the kids only got two days off school and were sad we wouldn't be able to travel much of anywhere.  So everyone was super excited!  The night they got here, we just ate dinner, chatted, and Mayela brought us back some great things from Mexico.  She got Cal and Emma cool clay and ribbon pens, Lucy got a unicorn bow which she loves, Cov got a bunch of spicy candy, as he requested, and Sydnie got a cute traditional dress.  She also brought extra candy and gave me some real vanilla, oh yeah!  We spent the time with them doing dance parties, making crafts, playing games, chatting, playing with Marko's crutches (just hurt his leg not too long ago and has to be in a boot and on crutches for 6 more weeks, poor guy), making and eating good food, watching silly videos, making up games, playing pretend and more.  The kids all get along really well and Amber is such a fun girl.  We loved watching them play together.

We really enjoyed Conference, what a powerful weekend! The kids set up forts and we put together some eggs with pictures of the general authorities.  For each of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve speaking, they'd find their egg and we'd have a number in it that corresponded with a little snack. We had lots of coloring stuff out, too.  The kids also did some face painting during the sessions. The solemn assembly to sustain our new prophet, President Russell M. Nelson was amazing!  The Spirit was so strong and affirmed to me that he is a true prophet of God as I raised my arm to the square. We've been trying to learn more about our new prophet lately, and I came across a picture of him swinging that I love. Before, it was so hard for me to picture another prophet.  But you can tell that mantle is upon him, and I love President Nelson and sustain him with all my heart.  I know he is the prophet for our day and our time!  The messages were uplifting and some new changes were announced.  Elders Quorum and High Priests will now meet together...Dave, EQ president in our branch was like "Yes!  I've been released!" but soon after got a text from our branch president saying not to get any ideas, haha!  It was also announced that Home and Visiting Teaching are being replaced with a higher program that will be called "ministering" and will focus less on just getting it done and numbers and focusing more on caring for one another.  I'm excited for this!  Also, 7 new temples were announced, including Layton, UT, which Dave and I have always said needed to happen. And, a temple in Russia! There were audible gasps and cries for joy here and all around the world.  So exciting to see the work moving forward!  As for topics, what stood out to me was doing the small and simple things, taking care of the poor and widows and orphans, serving others, being a good parent and teaching and listening, going to the right sources for answers, how to be a better family member, listening to the Holy Ghost, staying close to the Savior, and receiving revelation. All of the things to keep us safe in these perilous times. Mark was commenting how sad it is how many are loosing their way and falling away from the Gospel.  And I see it a lot.  It always starts with the little things.  But if we listen to the Prophet's voice, we will be able to stay safe physically and spiritually in these latter days.  This is Christ's Church and He is there for us. He directs the work and He can work through us!

Photo from LDS.org

We went to a community egg hunt here on Saturday in between sessions, and that was fun.  There were a ton of eggs.  It was a super cold and snowy weekend (still dipping down below zero) so they held it at the school.  We dyed our eggs in between as well and made hot glue gun eggs.  And little chicks out of upcycled egg cartons.  During the Priesthood session, nails were painted, and we made some Peep houses that were fun.

We woke up to a few April fools gags on Easter morning.  Looked like the Easter bunny used the facilities and forgot to the flush, oops!  The kids got a kick out of this one!  Cov helped me a bit with this, because he couldn't think of anything else.  The girls made "strawberry popsicles" which were ketchup mixed with water and offered them to us, yum!  No one fell for it though, ha!

The Easter bunny left some fun things - the kids all got a toothbrush, tooth paste, candy (have to use those tooth brushes), some little boxes of cereal and some egg racer toys.  They were excited!  We had carrot cake cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and they were yummy.

Then it was back to Conference and it was amazing!  I love having Conference on Easter.  In between sessions, we had an Easter lunch that included chicken pillows, baked potatoes, steamed carrots, french salad and strawberry cheesecake trifle for dessert.  Then we did our Easter egg hunt indoors.  We lined up youngest to oldest and let them each find the eggs.  The kids made sure to remind Dave not to hide them as hard as Grandpa Dan, and he did pretty well getting it done.

Sunday night, we headed to Canada.  Mark & Mayela just got back from Mexico a couple of weeks ago, and now they wanted to see the great north.  We saw a bald eagle on the way, that was cool.  So much wildlife up here.  We checked in at our hotel, then went swimming at the little water park there.  The kids loved the slides and did that for about 2 hours straight.  Then we played board games and ate snacks until it was late.  Monday, we slept in, went to breakfast, and then were off to run errands.  First, we went to the mall and got a few fun things.  Mostly the same stores as here, but I think everyone liked the record store the best.  After that, it was to Costco to check things out and get some Canadian maple syrup and try Poutine.  It was a hit with everyone, though Mayela wasn't sure about it.  Then we went over to check out the temple, which was closed.  We sat in the parking lot for a while though, checking out the beauty.  After that, we headed to the science museum, where Amber got to be a volunteer for a show about energy, we learned about the science of cotton candy, and got to see some new exhibits from the last time we went there.  Amber really wanted to check out Dollar-Rama, the Canadian version of a dollar store.  We got some Canadian candy to take home for later and a few other treasures.  Also, at the grocery store, we picked up some huckleberry Canadian Dry pop, it was SO good!  The last stop was to Montana Steakhouse for some dinner.  It was tasty, and they even sang to Mark and Dave, who had birthdays that week.  They got to wear a moose hat even which they were *thrilled* about.  It was fun just sitting around talking and hanging together so much!  We went home after that, sleeping well that night.

The next day, we just hung out at home most the day.  So much playing and giggling and fun going on.  We did go get shakes at the Coffee Shop, did some bowling at our little bowling alley, and then the adults went on a double date at the Slipper.  Emma and Amber took their job of babysitting seriously, and even made some really good homemade mac and cheese, which they were proud of.

The last full day together, our kids were back to school.  We helped M&M do some laundry that morning and just played around.  Then we went to have school lunch with the kids and play at recess time with them.  Then, like that, they were gone.  It was hard to believe they were here for almost a week, time went by so fast!  Thanks for coming to visit, familia!  It was a great Conference, Easter & April Fools week!