A big heart!

My little Bridger boy has a heart the size of Texas. He always sees the best in people, even when he shouldn't! He gives people more credit then they deserve, this includes me! He is just like his Grandma and has a soft spot in his heart for kids with special needs. Michelle told me a story that melted my heart. My Mother had the privilege of helping many special needs children in her career. One child happened to be my sister Michelle's best friends little girl. Michelle told me that Jenny told her how Bridger likes to hold Taylor's hand while they walk down the hall. He is very protective of her. I told Bridger how Grandma loved Taylor and helped her when she was little, and now he is glued to her. He will come home and tell me stories of Taylor and Julian. Julian is a little boy also in Bridger's class that has special needs. Bridger tells me of the things Julian likes to do, and how they are friends. I guess Julian likes to play with barbies and my little pony's. Instead of Bridger making fun of a boy for playing such things, Bridger joins in. Two weeks ago Bridger came home with a little note he had written himself, a little reminder of sorts. I asked what it was, he opened up and read. "March 17th is Julian's birthday." He said Mom can I please get him a gift. I said sure bud, thinking he would forget. HAHAHA, well he didn't he reminded me 2 times. Last night as we were headed to take Lacey to volleyball Bridger says "Mom what's the date?" I say "It's the 16th, why?" "Oh my gosh we have to go get Julian a present!!!" I say "ok, can Dad do it, I am tired and have lots of things to do!" "So I can't pick it out then?" was his reply. I felt so awful, so I gave in and we all went to walmart to pick out a toy. He was dead set on a Barbie or a My Little Pony. I wasn't sure how Julian's parents would feel about this, but Bridger was adamant! So a My Little Pony it was. As we wrapped the present for Julian, you could see the pure love and excitement Bridge had. He look at me with his huge brown eyes and said " Mom, I am so excited! I am going to help make this Julian's best Birthday EVER!!!" I knew in that moment my Mom was a very proud Grandma! Her big tender heart has been passed down to Bridger! I can't tell you how much I love that little boy!

Today....

Today I am thankful beyond measure....Today I am sad beyond compare....Today I feel so blessed.....Today I am worried for loved ones.....Today I understand that I truly have no idea what it's like to suffer....Today I am praying for all of the many people whom have lost loved ones, homes, their lives as they knew them. As I watch the video's of the aftermath from the 8.9 earthquake that hit Japan last night as I was snuggled in my warm bed with my sweet family safely inside, I am shocked to the core. It has opened my eyes to how easy my struggles in this life really are right now. I know that money troubles are no fun but never have I had to worry if I could feed my children or if we would have a warm place to sleep. I pray with every fiber of my being that I remember this lesson today. I really truly do have so many things to be thankful for in this life! I pray that all of the people of Japan and the other countries that have the threat of tsunami's wreaking havoc on their lives will find safety and shelter. My their burdens be lightened by my thoughts and prayers.

$88.00

Strange title I know, so let me explain.....It all started a few years ago when both of Matt's business went under. One do to the Economy and one do some one's sticky fingers(that our locals finest never did anything about, but hey I guess it's not illegal to embezzle money or forge documents, or steal someone ss# and open false accounts.) It has been a rough time for my little family, a little to hard sometimes. Matt got lucky here and there with jobs. He did really well for over a year when he was building a house for someone. It wasn't the kind of money he was used to making, but hey it kept us a float. During Christmas I had to take on another job for fear my kids wouldn't even have a tiny Christmas. It was a struggle! I missed my kids and Matt. I decided it wasn't worth not seeing them for days at a time just for Christmas, so they would have to do with even less then I thought, but they are kids and they would be ok. When I came to terms with not being able to give them all that my heart desired my eyes were opened to all the good around me. I had an Aunt and Uncle give us some money as well as a very dear friends family. I was so happy to have an answer to my prayers. I know this sounds silly it's just toys and such but I wasn't sure how to explain to my 7 year old that the DS he had on his Christmas list for a whole year wasn't going to come. It was very hard for Matt and I to swallow our pride and admit we needed help, but we did. I am truly blessed with such amazing people who love and care for me and my family. I hope to one day pass that Christmas gift forward.

Anyway back to $88.00...Matt has been out of work for over 4 weeks now, nothing has panned out and no one has extra money to fix up their homes. We were living on my measly paychecks, which I am so grateful for, how ever after adding up my bills for the next two weeks, we will have a sad total of $88.00 left to live on for two weeks of food and gas and anything else that seems to pop up!!! Are you kidding me!?!?! $88.00!! How was I going to stretch that? It takes $40.00 just in my gas tank for the week! I was beyond sick about it, I was in tears everyday! Pleading with the Lord to help us out! Just when it seemed their was no light at the end of the tunnel for us, Matt got a call on Friday March 4th. He is now a full time employee for Simplot Don Plant. Can I tell you how Michelle and I did a dance in my office! Thankfully no agents showed up! HAHAHA! It is still going to be a hard few weeks since he doesn't start until the 21st, but he had a job line up for next week, so we will make it! I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to not only be able to pay my bills but to put some away in savings! I am excited to think of all the things I can now provide my kids that I was worried about, you know like summer clothes! Haha, oh the little things!! I can't wait for my account to have more than $88.00 left! Here is to a great and wonderful 2011!!!!