Coming Out of Hibernation and Listening to the Spirit

Well, it's finally February. We're seeing more sun than gloom, and every week the snow line moves back a little further from the road. I'm loving every minute of it!

Tom's freelance work is busier than ever, and he even just got paid from his first private client a few days ago. That was definitely cause for celebration! He got this private work at the perfect time, since the company he gets most of his freelance work through is changing their business model and for now doesn't have a lot of writing work in the pipeline.

I'm still working for Life Path Hospice up in Salt Lake, though the commute is really getting to me (90 miles each way, who can blame me?). I don't know how my dad has been doing the same commute for almost 14 years. I've been getting a lot of new patients lately, which is nice after losing so many through the winter. I'm keeping busy enough that it looks like I'll have to permanently book some of what was previously time off. (Was that English?)

It's been really nice to stay at Spaulding Manor and see more of my family. We're excited about how much we're able to save by living here and look forward to our next step, whether it be moving to Moab or going somewhere in Washington or California. Who knows--maybe God wants us to go to Ireland next..? Okay, so we're pretty sure that's not in our cards for the year. We're really trying to listen to the Spirit and go where we're supposed to go. It's often a frustrating way to travel, but it's been interesting. Each time we've taken a step toward our goals, we've felt like the next step is illuminated for us.

Ash has a new doggie buddy, since we gave Tanner a puppy for his birthday. She does not like him. He likes to taunt her by coming up behind her and tapping her either with his nose or his paws. She barks like crazy and acts all offended when this happens. I'll have to try to get a video and post it soon, because it makes me laugh. Here's a picture of the cute puppy, anyway. Tanner named him Choncho.


Grandma Ricks (who lives with my family) never liked Ash very much, but since Choncho came around she raves about how much she loves Ash and how good and well-trained she is. Choncho is. . . a handful. He's in the "I have to chew on everything I can get my jaws on, even if it's your Achilles tendon" phase, and it really freaks Grandma out. He's doing better, though I wish Ash were willing to help out with that. Too bad she thinks she's a kitty.