A New Post, Finally!

I dedicate this new post to Tiffany Johnson.

After a very long year and a half, I thought it appropriate to finally post something.  We have had so many changes since my last post.  First of all, Garth is a new employee for Lincare.  It is a medical supply store that delivers oxygen and related supplies to customers all over the treasure valley.  They are the largest oxygen supply chain in the country.  We are very excited for the future opportunities this new job provides.  With all the problems Garth has had with his back, working for the furniture store was simply not an option anymore.  Garth decided to earned his CDL and started to look for new work as a truck driver.  We initially wanted Garth to find work in the oil fields, but after a very disappointing trip to North Dakota we realized it wasn't going to work out.  Strike one.
So he came home and found a job with Ultimate Transport.  Strike two.  The boss and owner is a crook.  In the two, very long weeks Garth worked for them, he was seeing red flags everywhere.  Equipment that was falling apart and driving in a truck that was so poorly maintained that he risked getting fined for, was not a job he wanted to continue.  If you know Garth, you know that quitting isn't something he does lightly.  Just when we were starting to give up, he found Lincare.  He gets to use his CDL that he worked hard for and has opportunity for advancement.
Last year I started working for The Borge House, a private adult foster home for the disabled.  It was the best job I've ever had.  I learned so much and caring for those sweet residents has changed me for the better.  I always said I could never work as a caregiver.  I decided to give it a go anyway and will be forever grateful for the experience.  In the year and a half I worked there, we lost three residents, all but one died on my shift.  There are no words to describe the death process.  How different it is for each person and their families.  I have never felt more close to my Heavenly Father than being there when a person crosses into the next life.  I learned to serve and have compassion.  As much as I loved my job working graveyard had its toll.  My family was starting to suffer and my health was too.  I had to say goodbye, but I still pop in to visit when I can.
The kids are growing like crazy.  Liz is going into the 5th grade.  I know.  I'm in shock too.  That little 6lb 2oz baby is almost in middle school.  She is proving to be very smart, scoring well above average on her state tests.  She scored in the top 1% in the state for math and well above average for reading.  She had her first job last week watering plants and taking in the newspaper and mail for a family in our ward.  She was very responsible about it and was hired to do it again.  She loves having money she earned herself.
Claire finished Kindergarten this year.  She was so sad that she would have to wait all summer to see her friends again.  Her first parent/teacher conference was hilarious.  Claire has so much personality and her teacher really enjoyed having her as a student.  However, Claire's organization is not her strength.  She really had to work hard just to keep her desk cleaned up and her supplies in order.  She reads very well and I have never seen a kid so excited to have homework.  We rarely had to tell her to do it.  She would come home, get it out, and have it finished in minutes.  I'm crossing my fingers her excitement continues.
Jason is our little rascal.  Coming from a family of 12 girls I don't know much about boys, but I am loving his excitement for "Biiiig trucks!"  He loves cars, trucks, bikes and tractors.  He wants to help Garth with everything.  He is always packing Garth's tools around with him.  He picks on his sisters like a pro and his smile pretty much gets him whatever he wants.  He is going to be trouble when he is older.  He is 100% boy.
Another big event for the Woodruff's has been a new addition.  Yes, that's right.  After years of waiting we finally have grass in the front lawn!!  I never imagined I would be excited to mow a lawn.  We have had dirt landscaping for about 4 years.  We still don't have the backyard finished, but we are so close.
That just about sums up the last year for us.  Now I need Garth to help me get a new background and my blog will be officially updated.  There Tiffany, are you happy now??  :)