Explanation

Alrighty, my dear friends, the time has come for an explanation (get comfy, it's been a long month). I'll admit, my spirits have been on a slight roller-coaster as of late, but I really thought I was shielding you all from the brunt of it. Unfortunately, when I get frustrated I like to vent and that usually entails talking someone's ear off or writing. Since I have a blog, a facebook AND a twitter, I generally leaned toward writing. The one-sentence vent appealed to me because I didn't have to elaborate or re-explain. The time has come. As they say on Princess Bride, "I will explain. No, too long. I will sum up." So, here I go. We'll start at the beginning.
Sometime at the end of June/beginning of July, I backed my car into someone at church. Just scratched their door and completely broke off my bumper. Ugh. Insurance claim, new bumper, and $1000 repair later....
First day of July, Jon's boss laid him off "due to financial struggles". We have one month of employment. That is where it all began.

Put our house on the market. Had some hope of selling it, but listed it for rent as well.

People looked, and we had hope.

10 other houses in our subdivision went up for sale...all for smaller price than we asked.

Hope diminished.

People still interested in our house. Small ray of hope returned.

Work environment steadily deteriorates until it isn't worth the agony of going anymore. Jon resigns early and saves all our sanity's.

Took Chevy in for "free" oil change. Got charged $20 more b/c it needed "special oil" (which it has never needed before). Pretty annoyed by that.

Last week of July; FINALLY got check from insurance to get car repaired. Timing requires a rental for scheduled Utah trip. This costs more than expected.

Went to Utah for visit. Crossed fingers someone would want to buy our house while we were gone.

Agent went to view house and found that no key was in the key box. Joy.

Luckily, our realtor had it. All worked out.

Received offer to lease house with possible purchase at the end. Took offer and breathed a sigh of relief.

Came back to NV to pack and move. Leave two older kids in Utah ( it was a long week without their smiling faces).

Car finally repaired and back in our hands. Boy, we have a nice car :).

Got letter from Apartment (that we moved OUT of 6 months ago) that we owed them $200. Bill dated Feb. 4th. Letter postmarked August 3rd. Oiy.

Go to work out money we shouldn't owe and still have not heard back.

Took Honda to get "free" oil change. Had appointment, but turned away because they didn't have ANY oil.

Took Julianne in for check-up. Growing healthy and strong.

Took Honda for second appt. (calling before to make sure they had oil) only to be told it could take up to 3 hrs b/c they were busy (why did I make an appt then???). OH and they want me to pay $10 for high mileage oil. uh...NO!! made them use regular oil and actually got the FREE oil change that I went to get.

Realtor hard to get a hold of about leasing offer. Concern for agreement.

Work out leasing agreement with tenant. Pull house off market. Pack, load and leave first house.

Loading the car trailer.

half of the caravan

hooking up the car carrier

One last pic of our first house. Although it totally stressed us out, I was just a teeny bit sad to leave....

the other half of the caravan

One last pic with our house.

So, here we are in Utah. Living with Jon's parents once again (it sure is a good thing they love us). Our house has been rented (whew). We are healthy and blessed. Now, on to the job hunt. Brooklyn will be going to school at the elementary school Jon attended (awww...) and hopefully we will be employed and happily settled soon. Thanks for everyone's concern. I appreciate all the love and support. Driving back to Utah was an adventure. I'm not great at driving long distances by myself...we had a little rough patch around Payson (didn't help it took us 12 hrs....stupid hills). But, made it and we're glad to be settled. So, if you're in Utah and want to hang out, definitely give us a buzz! I had so many people offer me their listening ears and such that I can't thank anyone enough. Thanks again!

Had to have In'n'Out one last time...

Dave's request

Can't argue with that...

Julianne thought it looked tasty...

My view. We've become rather efficient at this caravan thing...

Driving alone. Thanks to everyone who tolerated my phone calls!

Mason was VERY interested in the truck when we got to Utah.

And we were both SO GLAD to see them!!