Ayres Insanity

  Russ has been working for Union Pacific for 13 years. We have always considered it our retirement job; good benefits, pension, decent pay. This has always been our plan, but now we’re not so sure. In addition to Russ losing his foreman position about a year and a half ago, they have been closing shops like crazy, & just 2 weeks ago, they laid off 47 guys in the shop. That’s over 60% of their workforce... and just 3 weeks before Christmas! We have been heartbroken for the families that have just lost their livelihood, some of them are friends of ours. Russ made the cut, but we can’t help but wonder for how long, this doesn’t exactly instill confidence in the company. We’re praying about what to do so I guess we’ll see where the Lord takes us, but we’re sticking it out with UPRR unless we feel directed to do otherwise.   With all of the layoffs, Russ' schedule changed, he has Sundays and Mondays off on day shift...DAY SHIFT! We haven't had that in 13 years! I used to hate...

  My sweet girl got baptized 2 weeks ago. She was so funny about it because for the longest time she was very hesitant to do it, but after much discussion, she revealed that she didn't want a lot of people watching, it was particularly stressful for her to have tons of kids gathered around the glass watching... A little claustrophobic perhaps? Either way, we respected her wishes and only had immediate family and grandparents come. Grandma Cindy made her a beautiful dress patterned after mommy's wedding dress, at her request, and Pop Pop & Grandma Airplane flew out and spoiled her rotten! We did a party with family at the lake that evening and it was fantastic!    It was such a busy week for me with girls camp and getting ready to go back to school and work, but I had an amazing experience at camp and knew that Heavenly Father was mindful of my Zo ey .   The night before I left for camp, I prayed that with her baptism coming up, I would know som...

  This summer has been amazing! I'm not sure if it's just because I had been looking forward to it more than any other, or if it really has been that amazing.    June was pretty chill, we spent pretty much every Tuesday at the lake paddle boarding and enjoying friends. Dan bought us a pedal boat, which has been a fun addition to our rapidly growing collection of lake toys.   July was jam packed with Fun! We celebrated the 4th here in the neighborhood with a pancake breakfast, the Grantsville parade, a huge neighborhood party with a bounce house, bike parade, complete with all of the guys wearing matching flag shorts. After a little time at the lake with Russ' family the evening was spend BBQ-ing with good friends and a firework show that was just as incredible as any professional show I've seen, I love my neighborhood!   July also included the baptisms of 2 cousins and our niece Amber's mission homecoming. She served in Independence M...

  12 days left of the school year, my cute friend Rebecca made me a count down paper chain for my birthday so I’ve been counting down since February. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for summer! Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to have a job to supplement our income but if I had a choice, working while there is still so much need for me at home is not what I’d choose, but hey, 12 days and we’re free for the summer!   I’d say the school year has been decent. Taevin turned 13 in January. He is enjoying Jr High and getting good grades for the most part, and he has an amazing group of friends, which I’m super grateful for! He’s rockin the braces right now and probably will until the end of 8th grade, he doesn’t love it but is being a good sport about it. He really is such a good kid and I’m very proud of who he’s becoming.   Ryler is doing well in school as always, it seems to come naturally to him. He got in a fight at school the other day, at first I was pretty m...