SOO MUCH!!

Today has been a little overwhelming for me! Jeremy started out by going to the dentist to get fitted for a mouth piece. He has been waking up with headaches and so we thought it might be from his grinding his teeth while he sleeps. Well, at the dentist they told him he has a bad case of sleep apnea and TMJ pain. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't know anything about medical stuff, so I just said ok what do we need to do to cure these things. Jeremy said they told him he needs to go see a specialist. He said sleep apnea could lead to many other things also. Goodness. Also the other day he went into a doctor and they told him he has colitis. WOW! He is filled with bad news. Oh and may I remind you all that we have no health insurance. So the last couple of days I been trying to keep myself busy so I don't sit and think about what's happening and get all stressed out about it.
About a week ago Jeremy was told about a job opening at the school, in a department he has worked in before. So that could be just the answer to our prayers. Not necessarily for the extra income (that would be an added bonus) but for the health insurance. I am so excited about it and I want him to take it but he is having a hard time grasping the idea...until after today. I think it hit him that he really needs some kind of health coverage, and this is our chance to get it. So he may be working this school year. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Which brings me to the next bit of excitement. School starts in 12 days. Yes, I am counting down. I'm ready for some quiet time. :) I will have 3 kids in school and 2 kids at home. This is going to be so easy...2 kids. What a breeze. :) I can't believe they are growing up so fast though. I have a 3rd grader, a 1st grader and a kindergartener. WOW! I am getting old.

Summer has been full of some crazy days! We have gotten a lot of little projects around the house done. We didn't get to go on a family trip this summer, but we still had a lot of fun times together. The best is watching the kids pull weeds in the garden. Those kids are definately Jeremy's kids...LOL! They are all complaining it's hot out here. I'm getting dirty. I'm thirsty. I need to go potty. When is the corn going to be ready? Are we almost done? Can we get icees? Really?! Papa started that tradition. Whoever helps pull weeds at the garden gets to get an icee when we're all done working. Good one Papa! ;)

My grandparents spent a day at my parents' house. It was a lot of fun to have them. We had some good food and lots of stories. I learned a little about my grandparents that day. They told stories and I found out some more about my parents when they were younger too. I really enjoy the day!

Jeremy's best friend Brad ("THE Brad"...where Bradley got his name) came to visit us a few times. He lives in Oklahoma, so we don't see him much. It's been so nice to see him more lately. Him and Jeremy tell stories about when they were kids. I love seeing Jeremy so happy when he is with Brad. Even better news, Brad might be moving back to the area. We are super stoked! I had to post a pic of the Bradleys together. :)

I couldn't stay away!

I have so much on my mind and I pulled up the blog and saw that people are still checking it so I thought what the heck. Just don't expect an update often how's that?

So this past weekend we had a general authority come speak at our stake conference, M Russell Ballard. He was definately meant to come at this time and to our stake. I got so much from him and the other speakers that, almost a week later and I am still dwelling on what I was taught. So let me back up a little bit...

About 2 weeks ago I was so overwhelmed with life and the responsibilities I have that I just didn't want to do anything. I just wanted to lay in bed and not go anywhere or do anything. I was trying to be supportive to extended family members that were having problems, and I think I just took on too much. Right when I was ready to quit (the weekend) it was time to go to stake conference. I had asked my parents to watch the kids so Jeremy and I could both go. They did! THANKS SO MUCH MOM AND DAD!!! At our conference they told us that no matter what we are all struggling through right now we can make it through if we turn to the Lord. How many times have I been told that...DUH I know that. But the thing that really hit me after that they told us to make memories with our families. Memories...really, spend time with the kids and have fun doing, it that's all I have to do. I can handle that. I love my kids SO much. I can handle playing with them, take them places, talk with them, share my love with them. This is coming from the Lord. They told us to study our scriptures with our families, and pray with our families. I was ready to give up on my family and now they are telling me to truly be happy is to spend time with them...OK I got this! New focus! Who cares if the house is messy, who cares about dishes or laundry? Well I do, but not as much anymore. (That is fair warning if anyone comes over and the house is messy) I am refocusing my life. Ok, so at one point in my life that was my focus but I lost my focus so now I am back on track.

I have struggled all my life to understand the scriptures. But I am struggling through them because the Lord has told me to. And I hope that my children will be able to teach me and we can learn together.

I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know it is the only true church on the Earth today. The Lord is my personal friend. I can talk to him and he is always there to listen to me and counsil with me. The Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith translated it for us to have the words in our day today. I know that even though our times are different than the scriptures the same life lessons apply. If we will hold to the Iron Rod (meaning follow the teachings of the Lord) that we can return to live with our brother Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven again. I know that the Lord knows each of us personally and doesn't give us anything that we can't handle. When we are struggling we can call on Him through prayer and he will help us and comfort us in our trying times. I love my Heavenly Father.

I also need to say that I love my husband Jeremy Kiester! We have had our moments good and bad together but without his strength and without his love I would still be lost. I am thankful to Jeremy that we have the Priesthood in our home. The priesthood power is so strong when called upon. Thank you Jeremy! I love you so much!


Ok, sorry, it might not all make sense but I just had to get that all out. Until next time.

No more blog

I am writing this final post to let everyone know that I will not be posting on the blog anymore. I tried to keep it for family and friends that were far away so they could still see what our family was up to. My grandparents were one of those that I kept it up for...and they are no longer with us. I don't feel like a lot of people check it, and I am just fresh out of time and energy....so to end things on a good note:

We are all doing well. Daisha and Tucker are loving school, Bryton is so ready to go to school, Jillian is almost potty trained, and Bradley is almost ready to walk. I am back home helping more with the business that is booming. We recently had some new shelves built...THANKS ROB!!! Another expense but well worth it!



Anyways, thanks to all who checked our blog. Keep in touch through emails or phone calls. With love,

Stacy Kiester