Nevermind...

New York is out of the plan. As we were planning "hidden" expenses kept popping up, like the taxes, the 2000 broker fee just to get into the house, the double utilities until finally the last straw the toll fee just to get into his base in New Jersey is from 300-400 a month. Even the most conservative cannot conserve enough against the inevitable. We tried to make it work, but every time we looked at the expenses it just didn't look right. The company should be ashamed to offer a trained pilot a salary so low in such a high cost of living state. It forced us to re look at our family, goals and direction. Trevor would have loved the job itself-gaining a lot of experience. I think the that is what the spirit confirmed. But when he got the salary offer he felt sick, naturally. It's much less than we thought it would be. And I as a wife tried to make it a possibility for him. But it barely paid the bills and the spirit confirmed a sick feeling everytime he tought about the money part of the job. He ironically flew several people from New York this last week and asked them about the salary offer for a family, they all said, without reservation, "that is low and you will struggle." And like Trevor said, "I think it's financial suicide to go out there." and "I just don't see spending 10,000 to get out there and work for a job that pays so little."
So here we are, had to cancel the Uhaul reservation, cancel the utility cancels, unpack a few boxes-just living on the essentials. I don't know how much longer we will be here-half packed. Trevor is completing his last day for the season and then we will send resumes out yet again. His boss is helping him with the resources he knows. We will do everything we can.
It's a frightening thing to look at unemployment in the face-almost exactly a year later. That is part of the reason we were willing to take the New York job, even if it paid less. Just to escape unemployment. I can't say I haven't shed my tears, or had my fears. But I once again choose faith. Trevor is at a different place both in hours and experience. I don't foresee the run-around like we have had the last few years (if the job in Louisiana worked out we wouldn't have had the run around like we did). We are living the commandments, God will help us. Like Paul said, "I am fighting a good fight and keeping the faith."

New York City? Really?

When I sent resumes all over the country I couldn't believe the only people to respond back was a company out of New York. My first thoughts was "that is the last place in the world I have ever wanted to return to" (I was there at 8)And then I thought how comical it is that the two places I have never wanted to live were Arizona (because of the desert I thought it was) to New York because I can't imagine that kind of living and all those crowds. Trevor and I are farm people. We would love a hobby farm out in the middle of next to no where. We always thought that teaching children a work ethic was important. Teaching them gratitude and to appreciate the simple things of life. Living here, in a quiet neighborhood where the neighbors only come up for a few weeks in the summer, it's extremely quiet. I have made the most of it, gotten a lot of schooling done, and taught many skills from scouts to cooking for my children. And now I realize that this is not right. These children have been living in a bubble, unintentionally, and it's not good for them. To be home schooled with no social outlet and really no neighbors/they are the only kids in the area is not healthy. I want my children to have opportunities. I have known Alexis should probably take 1 or so electives along with seminary in high school. She needs to get out from me just a little. My hope for her is to get her a tutor and get her GED ASAP so she can start College. She has a goal of being done before marriage and I think with hard work she can do it. I am experiencing that boys are a different species than girls. Justin is way too social to be cooped up.
So I have reflected A lot on New York and had the time to. I sent resumes out for Trevor the end of July and the beginning of August. Right a way a gentleman (Norwegian by origin) Got right back and wanted Trevor to meet with him the end of August as he was in Norway vacationing. So Trevor got the flight booked (well I did) and he was prepared with an open mind for anything. When you have experienced the helplessness of unemployment and dependency on family you never want to go back to that. You will do anything to avoid it. A few years ago New York would have been out of the question. But now, as life teaches you, it's accepted. So anyway, he is planning to go and the very day he is supposed to fly out, all flights are cancelled due to the hurricane. This was stressful. Because the lay off day for Trevor is the 22nd of September and our lease is up the end of September. We needed to know, to make plans. Still no other job offers and nothing being posted as prospects.
Anyway, mid September he finally goes out there. I fast and pray that Trevor will have the spirit to be with him. That if it is wrong he will feel sick. That if it be right he will feel peace and confidence. This gentleman (multimillionaire) couldn't have been more perfect. Trevor couldn't say enough good about this "super super genuinely nice man" The two of them got along beautifully and Trevor had peace and confidence. This company does several charters (for the rich) and tours of the city.

I guess a lot of visitors will pay for a tour because there is no waiting, traffic, extra fees and they see it all in a half hour. But the good news is they do long line utility work, photography and are even developing a contract for Paramount Pictures to assist in movie production. This is a great company, willing to take Trevor, just under hours yet again, and the only one I might add. Trevor was ecstatic and never surer about anything until he got the salary offer. It's the same as what he is making now but in the country's most expensive city. We were shocked. Naturally salaries go up in higher cost of living areas. We have seen this from Utah to California. So this put me to work to find a solution. This job is perfect for Trevor and has so much for the kids. Can I as his wife use his money wisely enough to assist him with this? I have always felt that when a man is the soul provider the woman contributes by how she uses that money.
Can I find a place comparable to our current rent? Can I start making from scratch again everything? (yes I have slacked a little) Is there some suburban area that has something for a yard that I can garden in and cut food cost down? I was considering Connecticut because they have property with their homes (remember we are farm people). I thought maybe we could really have it all. Country life, next to the biggest city with everything imaginable to do. With the help of Grandparents and tuition (that they graciously do) we could have access to some of the greatest music instructors. Julliard is right there and what a fine inspiring tour for the kids. There are home school groups and museums and programs for kids.
But after the Salary offer my search had to go elsewhere. Connecticut is too high.

I went to LDS.org and used a map to find the churches. I just randomly selected one and looked up the Bishops number. He is in the coast guard, about to retire and works with a lady that helps military find homes. He put her to work to help us off base. He works/lives on Staten Island. I started looking into Staten Island and housing. After hours and days and even weeks of research it was looking hopeless, impossible. But I found something I think will work
This home is 20 minutes from Trevor's work, 9 minutes from the church and get this...3 miles from Historical Richmond town where they do the farm and history reenacting. Just like in Wellsville at the American West Heritage Center.
Some of the best years of our lives were spent at the Heritage center and along with our good friends, raw milk and honey factory We have longed to have a similar experience. Best of all they need help on the vegetable/animal farm and they need interpreters. I may be able to "volunteer" and barter for vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk. I've already been incontact with them and they are excited to have us.
What could be more perfect? I had the Bishop look over this neighborhood, his coworker is going to take more pictures of it. It checked out on neighborhood scout and I researched Annadale area of Staten Island where this home it. It was a fluke I found it. Yet I know the spirit guided me, I think. If it checks out 100% I will credit the spirit because God only works for our best interests. And this home is vacant. We can prepare to have a place to go and for Trevor to start working. This home is a better option than this or even this
I hope all will come together. Talk about cutting it close! UPDATES TO COME

"A Very Merry UnBirthday Tooooo Yooouu!"

Little did I realize the wisdom behind this tea party that Alice had in wonderland. Two boys have birthdays right before Christmas, in the middle of Winter. There is not a lot to do and never the money to do it nor the friends that can come because December is full of other hustle and holiday cheer. So, because there have been more boys and friends in general here than we have had anywhere else, I decided now is the time to throw them an Unbirthday party-their first ever. And to make it simpler just combine all three of them into one big event. Worked beautifully. I love that life teaches you to simplify...
We decided to do a pirate party because there are SOO many things available. When each boy/girl arrived they were fitted with a ring, eye patch and a bandanna

These invitations contained an eye patch, skeleton ring, sand and the party details. So fun!
Some of the decor and party favors that were given. I laid them out to photograph to have the boys remember.

Party favors were prepared and stored in these bags. They contained skeleton candies that the kids can piece together like a puzzle. Bubblegum coins, Pirate Yo-yos, Pirate bouncy balls, and skeleton rings


Our front door




Here are the cakes-pirate ships. Not the best job, but fun nonetheless. So simple and the boys were thrilled





They are giving them some presents.


My right hand man-he was wonderful to help out.
Brett with one of his friends (MaKayla took these and they unfortunately turned out blurry)

Brett

Instructing for a game.

Preparing for a three legged race, after all pirates are known to have a peg leg.

We staged a ship battle scene and the boys and girls decided to be against each other. They had a blast! Easy, convenient boxes (for our move again)and pirate decorations-we smashed up paper lunch bags and they used these as cannons. The teams launched these, trying to get the most on the other side while the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme song played. When the music ended the team with the most paper on their side lost, their ship sunk.