If I'd only known . . .

The beginning of February 2008 brought huge changes for our family. Scott was laid off, and we jumped into financial survival mode. Fortunately his company offered a nice severance package (of which the government took a large chunk), and we were able to pay off some debt that we had accumulated and pad our bank account. We were also able to utilize the bulk of our flex spending account (the company's loss), and pay for Megan's braces, and begin Kimber's orthodontics. Life went on pretty much as usual with the exception of job hunting, and having Scott home full time. I quickly realized that he needed a project to keep both of us sane, and decided that we could afford to refinish the kitchen cabinets. They turned out awesome! Scott also spent his time helping me with the chauffeuring, house work, and other odds and ends. I was also released from the Relief Society presidency, and was made Kimber's primary teacher.

As summer approached and we were still unemployed we continued our efforts of fasting and prayer, and went on with our activities as planned (with some financial help from our parents).


My planned activity was a trip to New York City with my friend Trittica. We had the trip set and reserved before Scott lost his job, and fortunately we had free plane tickets, and a free place to stay. We rode the train, the subway, the ferry, the bus, but didn't brave a taxi. We visited the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the financial district, Canal street, the Empire State building, Rockefeller Center, the temple, Broadway, and some fabulous restaurants. We went to the play Wicked and were dazzled, we went to the beach and froze, we went shopping and saw things that we couldn't afford, and things that we could. What an amazing trip! I couldn't have gone without an amazing and supportive husband, a true friend and sister who happens to live next door, and some birthday money from my in-laws.

Sean's planned activity was going with his friend Andy to Caldwell. He had a blast, but maybe not as much fun as the year before. He didn't come home with any COW's (crush of the week's). As soon as he returned from EFY all the boys went down to Colorado for a "guys weekend". They were able to spend some sun filled days fishing, hiking, playing games, and hanging with Grandpa Burnside and all of the other Burnside men and boys.

While the boys were gone, my mother came to visit along with Grandma Hutchens, Karen and Adelle, Chad's girls (Alyssa and Sam), and Amy with Andrew and Katie. It was great to have someone around to take my mind off of our other troubles.

July found us still unemployed, and trying not to lose hope. While Sean took an Algebra 2 course so he could advance a year in his Treasure Valley Math and Science Cohort, the girls and I played with friends, and Scott continued the hunt. He was finally offered a job around the middle of July with a local company called JST Manufacturing.

During the whole scary unemployment opportunity I was the job finder and Scott was the job applier. This seemed to work well as Scott would get discouraged looking for jobs, and I would be encouraged. I had been diligently looking on Monster, Career Builder, and other sales job sites but nothing had panned out. Scott had had a few interviews that had come close, and a couple that we were thankful he didn't get because they didn't offer enough. One day I thought to check Craigslist, and was surprised to find something that he was very qualified for, and fit very well with what he had done in the past. It was also a local company that was located very close to home. Scott applied, and was quickly interviewed, and hired. After being sufficiently humbled by past interviews, low salary offers, and no job - we were prepared to tighten our belts and accept the offer. It was a new lesson in budgeting (one that we are still learning), but we were grateful for gainful employment. Scott began his job by flying out to Semicon West in California. We thought he might miss it for the first time in years, but he was able to attend and see some familiar faces from past jobs. We were thankful that we didn't have to move, and that we would be able to continue enjoy Boise.

We finished off the summer with some fabulous camping trips to Sage Hen reservoir, and Cathrine Creek. We spent a lot of time at Eagle Island State park, and also managed a trip up to Montana where Sean worked for Grandpa at the car wash, and the girls and I played with Grandma.

September brought the return of early morning seminary for Sean, and schedule challenges for all of us. Sean began his first year of marching band, Megan started volleyball, Kimber joined a running group at school, and the twins had jazz, tap and ballet. Sean decided that he couldn't keep up with piano anymore, but Megan and Kimber are still playing. Scott and I spent every Wednesday night playing co-ed volleyball at the church, and we both began training for the Zeitgeist 1/2 marathon. Trittica and I walked and ran it finishing in just under 3 hours. Scott was much faster. In November we began playing on a city league team, and so far are holding steady at the top of our bracket. I also began to do a little subbing for the school district to earn some extra cash.

October flew by fast, but largely because I was rushing through another one of my college courses. I decided to get busy with my language usage class that I had signed up for the previous January. The course went well, and I was able to finish in just over a month with an "A". I was about to begin a required fiction writing course, but discovered I had taken a similar one at Ricks college. I was able to get that course accepted as a transfer and signed up for two new courses (I will begin them in January).

The kids hit the holiday seasons full force beginning with Halloween. Sean ended up playing for a football game, Megan went to a friend's birthday party and went trick or treating as a Jester, Kimber was a handsome Musketeer, Brooke was a cute witch, and Kendra was an adorable bat. Scott and I didn't make the effort this year.

November was all about friends and family. I enjoyed having two great friends visit me from Texas. Margaret Easthope, and Sandra Puente came for a girls weekend, and we played downtown in Boise, and then downtown in Salt Lake City. It was great just to visit and catch up. A couple of weeks later I was able to take my Grandma to Nauvoo for my youngest cousin's wedding. I met Grandma in St. Louis, and we drove to Hannibal, Missouri for the night. In the morning we headed to Nauvoo for the breakfast, followed by the sealing in the Nauvoo temple, and a dinner afterwards. Jason looked so happy, and it was great to see Aunt Phyllis and her family. Just after we got home from Nauvoo I quickly began preparing for Thanksgiving. We were lucky to have Scott's sisters Michelle and Kerstin with their families, and Scott's uncle Wayne here for Thanksgiving. Dinner was great, and we really enjoyed the company. I finally learned how to make great pie crusts, and can't wait to make (and eat) more pie at Christmas.

We jumped into December with a week of parties. I had our Enrichment night party, and then the ward Christmas party. I was put on the ward activities committee in March (Trittica is the committee chair), and we have had some fabulous parties through the year topping it off with the Christmas party. I was in charge of food and lets just say that things could have gone a little smoother. Fortunately everything worked out well and people seemed to have a great time. We even had a visit from Santa (Trittica's dad played a great Santa!). With that over I was finally able to get started on Christmas, and now we are rapidly approaching the close of another year.

I know that I have missed so many events, and I can't even tell you in this crazy year-in-review a fraction of the thoughts of my heart as I reflect on the blessings of the past year. We have been healthy, we have had the support of great friends, neighbors and family, and we have drawn closer to the Lord, and continue to rely on him, and we have been happy. Things have not been perfect, but our trials have been perfect for us.

I hope you look forward to 2009 with hope and the Savior in your hearts.

We love you!