There really is "no place like home".

It's been such a crazy last few weeks, but it is finally slowing down here at the Etchells!
Thank goodness too. I think one more week would have possibly cracked me completly.
Although I think I have been saying that for a few months now. So, I guess I did ok.
We are oficially staying here in Olathe Kansas. Rob was layed off from his job (like thousands and thousands of others) in May. Right when the kids were getting out of school for the summer. We had no clue where we would end up for the next school year. I thought for sure we would be moving. We looked on the bright side and thought, well if we have to move maybe it well take us west closer to our family. That would really be great. We have been away from family for 7 years now, and it's pretty sad when you only get to see them about once a year. The other thing was Our very close friends the Speyer's up and left us and moved to Utah!!!! How dare they :)!! But seriously the thought of being here without them was sad to think.
We had some really good connections as far as jobs go so we thought it probably would'nt take to long to get another job..... ya right. It doesn't matter how good a connection you have in this economy.... if there's no job's, there's no jobs. Robert is so amazing though, he was so positive through all of this. The kids were great too. Ya, they went through sll the ups and down's of moving and not moving. They would miss their friends here, but they were excited for the potential of meeting new friends. I think they just needed to know for sure one way or the other.
This whole process took 4 months! I know people have to wait alot longer than that, and that just makes me so sad to think.
rob got a few phone calls from YRC, a great transportation company based here in Kansas. They were really excited to try to get him on board with them. Rob was really excited too, because it's a company he has really been looking at. The whole process took quite a while before he actually signed on the dotted line, but it finally happened. Robert's first day of work was the Kids first day of school too. I would be such a fool if I did not recognize that as a beautiful Tender Mercy from our Heavenly Father. I knew that he was watching over us the whole time.
So, we are here in Kansas for our 8th year... and we are going to make it the best.
Thankyou to everyone for loving us, and helping us through it all. It sure would have been tough to do without you. And Speyer's We miss you And wish that you were only on vacation.

Charity

We had a wonderful lesson in relief society today on Charity. I am sure alot of you had the very same lesson. We talked about Joseph Smith and how happy and optomistic he always was. He was so enthusastic about life and the growth of the church. People always surrounded themelves around him because he was so loving and joyful. We obviously know that one of the reasons he was like that was because he was filled with the spirit of the Holy Ghost, he just beamed with light even in his darkest hour.
This is how the people of the church of Jesus Christ generally are ( If they are filled with the light o Christ). The people that I surround my life around certaintly are. They are so willing to serve, and to help people in their time of need. If someone they love ae huring... they are too. if someone is happy...so are they.
I try to surround myself around those that are not envious of others or that get jealous of the things others have that they don't.
And if their are those that are like that I think you just have to try to love them more.
When Christpher was born we were surrounded by and loved by these kind of people.
I had friends preparing me for the dreaded c-section I would have. We had family fly in to be with us ( our parents, and my beautiful sister Julie). people came and surrounded me with so much love when my son and husband went to Children's Mercy for Christopher's surgeries. I was never alone, friends came and just took care of me and my family.
The reason I share this is because when I finally went in for my 6 week check-up my Doctor said so many Nurse's and Hospital staff and Doctor's have been asking about us. They said they felt such peace and love when ever they came into our room. It makes me cry every time I think of this. It's because Heavenly Father took care of me and my family. The spirit of the Holy Ghost was in my room. Because Heavenly Father Just sent me such an amazing gift, and I knew it. I was happy even when things were so tough. It's hard not too when you are surrounded by so much love. I love that the Church of Jesus Christ Of latter Day Saints teaches us to love and have charity in our hearts and to serve all that we can. I only hope that I can do for others as they have done for me.

How lucky am I to be apart of this family.

My amazingly wonderful family minus some very important people : Greg, Malinda, Sam, Madi, Grant, Jenny, Eddie and Baby Connor or max ? And Sam(Steve and Karen's Sam)!!! We love and missed you very much. I am so lucky to call you all mine!!!! Thanks mom and Dad for raising up such an amazing group of people. Love you all!!!!!

from the mouth of my little babe.

We are back home from a wonderful almost month long trip with family.... I will blog all about it later, but while this is still fresh in my mind I need to write about it so I will always remember it.

Grandma was talking to Spencer yesterday before we left and she said " Spencer,who is going to take care of me when you leave and Grandpa goes back to work, I will be all by myself"?
And Spencer's response was so innocent and priceless, he said " The Holy Ghost Grandma"!
Just like, of course didn't you know that.
love it when our kids remind us in very gentle ways that our heavenly father loves us, and he is always there.

A new way of thinking

I love it when I can fully enjoy Sacrament Meeting with the kids obeying themselves, and I can just sit back and listen to the speakers. Today we had some really good talks too. There was one quote that really stood out to me that I wanted to share. I could even put it on vinyl ( as I always say to my sister).
The qoute was this: " Come what may and Love it"!
Now, I might change it up a bit for me with experiences I have had in my life thus far and say: " Come what may and embrace It". I think after you embrace what comes your way then you can find the good from it and love it. Does that make sense?
Sometimes i think it makes sense to me, but then I write it down and I wonder if people understand what I am saying. Ooh well though.

After we were able to embrace the news of our sweet little Christopher's future we were able to see the good things that would come from it, it became part of who we are, it was then our "new normal". And we loved everything good that came from it. We had so many Tender Mercies come our way, and we continue to see tender mercies daily.
Christopher is growing stronger and stronger every day. He is becoming smarter and smarter as well, he just has a way of making us SMILE every time he looks at us.
Sure More crazy things will come our way but I know as a family we will embrace them, and we will grow.
Christopher is starting to cruise around the furniture. He is so proud of himself, we are so proud of him. He does struggle with his little feet, since he cannot move them or feel them, as I'm sure you could only imagine the difficulty he would have trying to stand. But, he does it. He works a million times harder then we do and he never gives up.
So maybe that could be Christopher's Motto in life " Come what may, embrace it....then love it." At leaste that will be how I will help him approach the obstacles that no doubt will enter into his life often. And with that way of thinking I am confident he will be able to do amazing things in this life, and I'm excited to see those things happen.

our little trip to Branson

I think I have been going a little stir crazy since summer got here. we have had a lot going on for the older two with girl's camp for Em ( post about that later), and scout camp for James. Rob has been Gone as well helping out with both of their camps, and that totally left me without a car last week. We sold one of our cars, so we are a 1 car family for the time being (not for long though). Anyways, the little boys and I were home ALOT together, without much to do. We were really missing Daddy, Emily and James..........and the Car.
So when everyone got home, I suggested we get the heck out of Olathe for a few days and go on a little road trip. e went to Branson Mo. and stayed at this fun hotel that has an indoor waterpark. We had a blast.It was a very lazy trip filled with Swimming, swimming and more swimming. Christopher even had fun. On our way there we stopped at Lambert's. Lambert's is this super Casual, Country "Family style" (very important)restraunt. We have gone a few times now and love it. They are famous for tossing their yummy hot rolls at you upon request. The kids love it. Spencer's goal was to catch 4 before we left..... And he did of course. Em and James caught a ton too. They are soooooo hot, so sometimes you get smacked in the face or back if your not paying attention, and it can hurt just a little :),
Just ask James and Rob.It was so fun to get away for a while with the family. It was very simple and very basic. We did nothing outragious or major, and yet we made some fabulous memories. Isnt that what it's all about afterall.
We don't need to spend a lot of money to make lasting memories. And if their is anything positive that can come out of this recession i think it would be that. Don't you agree?

My favorite Spencer-ism to date.

Spencer: Mom?

Mom: What Spenc

Spencer: Toots kinda remind me of tornados.

Mom: ................ ok!

I guess it kinda makes sense. It is so hard not to crack up during those moments.
sorry, had to share.