Change is Good

Change is good- and hard- but still good.

First and foremost- Kole got a new job!!! He now works at Allstate Insurance. Yes, he sells insurance. OK, so it's not his dream job and it's not even close to what he went to school for but it just sort of fell into his lap. They needed someone who is bilingual and so some of Kole's Spanish speaking friends from his job at Sizzler recommended him and go figure, he got the job. It is good for now... more money, good benefits, weekends off, plus it is in town so we don't have to move. That makes my mom really happy. And hey, anything is better than Sizzler! We even found out we were paying too much with our insurance company so we are going switch which will save us a few hundred dollars a year. That's always good. The only down side, I feel like he is always gone! He doesn't get home from Allstate until close to 6 and he still has to do his landscaping job on the side- at least until Fall rolls around. I feel bad. He works hard so I can stay home with the kids. But that means that he doesn't get to see them very much before bedtime. I guess that is just what having a "real" job is like. He makes so many sacrifices for us. I am so thankful I have such a wonderful hubby.

The second big change: Kole's younger but much bigger brother Keaton left for Army boot camp on Sunday. It doesn't feel like he is gone yet because I am not always over at Kole's parent's house but I'm sure it will really feel like it once we have a Sunday dinner there without him. But hey, I bet Deb & Dave will be saving a bundle on groceries from now on. ;) I am excited for Keaton. It is such a big life decision and there is no way I could ever do something like that. I am way thankful that people like him are so willing to serve and sacrifice so much. I think the Army will be really good for Keaton. There is something about the military that can really make or break people. Sometimes when people get dropped into a really hard situation they meltdown and become victims of circumstance while others seem to develop an amazing attitude and character- They become people with greater direction and purpose as they gain a perspective that helps them to know what is really important in life. I hope to see Keaton grow and learn from everything he will experience. I know he can handle it and it will be something he is good at if he does what he knows he should. We love you Keaton and hope you are having fun- in between the torture at least.

Anyways, on Saturday before Keaton left, we had a family party at the Brigham City pool and spent some last minute time together. It was a perfect day for laying out but a little chilly for swimming. So our totally pale little clan wore our SPF 50 sunscreen and did a little of both. For some reason I can't get tan anymore so since I can only be two colors (red or white) I would rather be white. It is less painful. All the guys had lots of fun playing volleyball and being dorks on the diving boards. Playing on the boards with Kole and Landon reminds me of the good ol' days of high school when we were on the diving team together. Those guys have some pretty unique and funny dives which I had forgotten about over the last 10 years. I even did a little diving myself. Really, you should be impressed. But in the end we all had to admit we are not as young as we used to be. The kids had so much fun. It took Jack about 2 hours until he would get wet past his knees. Wimp. Eve made us go down the slide over and over. I thought she would be scared but she loved it. Most of the time I made Kole take her but I took my turns too. I thought Jack would like the slide but I don't think he was quite ready. Maybe next summer.
Whelp, here are some action pics...

Kole and Eve on the slide- for the umpteenth time that day.

Kole trying not to drown Jack