Busy with Blessings

So this week has been amazingly busy, but full of blessings.

I was given the opportunity to nanny for my good friend this week. Her four kids and my three kids made for a full house (at hers), lots of diaper changes, Dora, and lunches. But I had such a good time playing with all the kids. It was different not having laundry and cleaning to do while watching the kids. It allowed me more time to just observe them, play with them, read stories, and gaze into the saltwater fish tank with amazed toddlers. I loved watching her little baby advance in her crawling skills and be constantly on the move. And her grunting- so unexpected from such a cutie!

The week was already loaded with a lot, but somehow it all managed to get done. Pack meeting went off without a hitch (thanks for all your help Beth!), laundry, Erin to school, dishes and home were cared for in my absence (THANKS Jeff!). I gained a greater appreciation for the working moms. You all are truly amazing. My compensation was exactly enough to fill in the gaps of Jeff's unemployment for all of our expenses for a month. Blessings, blessings.

Jeff was also able to do a few hours of contract work for his old employer on Friday. Just one more blessing. And he has a job lead from an old teacher from college that might work out. Blessing.

My scripture study has become more personal over the last few weeks. I feel comfort in them. I feel like I am being directed and guided through them. It always amazes me how much more there is to learn, and that I hadn't seen it the other many times I have read the same passage. Blessings!

I know that the Lord is watching out for us. And that he knows my needs before I even ask him. I am so grateful for Him. I am grateful for friends who are also looking out for us. Their concern and love have been wonderful. I am grateful to family who insist on helping in a variety of ways before I can even ask- all much appreciated. I know that this is not over yet, but I am still full of optimism and hope. I can see the tender mercies of the Lord in my life daily. In small and simple things, but I know that he cares. So thank you to all of you- and my dear friend who let me be her nanny. Your many thank yous are blessings and I so enjoyed every moment in your home. Your kids are wonderful, even after 3pm!

And if you made it through that way long journal entry then here is your reward- a cute picture of Ethan and Katelyn upside down on the ottoman a few months back. Those two are definitely from the same mold. Like two peas in a pod~ and still hanging in there!

Rejection

"What if she says no? I just don't think that I could take that kind of a rejection."- George McFly (Back to the Future)

Well, it turns out that we can take rejection. And lots of it. From many different people. Jeff was laid off from his job two weeks ago. His company couldn't pay him any more, so they let him go as well as another guy. And the six other people that still have jobs there might only have one for another few months. The company is not doing well at all.

So we are doing okay. Still have shelter, heat, food, and faith. Jeff is looking and applying for jobs all over the country like a mad man. We like to call it the "Blitz". We have a few opportunities here, and some very far away. But we have also gotten plenty of the rejections. No interviews yet, but we are waiting. Jeff's spirits are still up. We have been through this twice before in our marriage, so we kind of know how to play this game already. Definitely no getting attached to any job or locale until there is an accepted offer.

In the mean time I have been looking for a little part-time something to supplement the income (or lack thereof). Turns out the school district has already hired 50 too many substitutes, so my degree is not helping in that way. I heard of a need at our local library- for a storytime performer. That is the person that does the little story time for little kids at the library. They were looking for someone outgoing, able to sing, dance, wear costumes, and make a basic fool of themself on a daily basis. See- I can do THAT! So I applied and actually got an interview. Whoo-who! At the interview I was informed that nearly 50 people applied for the job, and only 15 were being interviewed. So congratulations on making it that far. I was asked some questions, and then had to put on my performance. This consisted of a song, a finger play, and reading part of a book. No problem. Then for the curve ball. A table full of random props. And I do mean random. A mammoth puppet, a paper mache flamingo, a viking hat.... and I had a minute to do a little improv with some of the things. What???? But I made it through, and made the interviewers smile. Interview over. Ready for the kicker? They would call the one person who got the job by 5:00 that night. Everyone else would know that they didn't get the job, because by 5:00 they will have gotten NO phone call. LAME. Is that professional? So I sat at home waiting. And waiting. And by 5:00 I figured that I had been the lucky recipient of the no phone call rejection. Nice. I am doing fine with this and I will be going to story time next week to see who the lucky phone call recipient was. And why they are so much better than me.

So what am I supposed to learn from this little experience? A greater empathy for Jeff who has to deal with this way more often than me? A boost in my faith? Maybe Jeff will get a job so soon that I didn't even need the job because I would just have to quit anyway. I think that mostly I have learned that it wasn't meant to be. For whatever reason. I just need to know that the Lord is looking out for me and my family. He is aware of my situation, and everything will work out. We will end up at the job and the location where we need to be. And He knows where that is. And since I don't I just need to have the faith in Him. He can carry the burden if I let him. I have also learned that being compelled to be humble isn't very fun, but I needed to learn humility and a greater reliance on the Lord. I can't and don't need to do it all by myself. There is help!

So, if you know of anyone looking for the best web/graphic/multimedia designer there is~ and they pay money, and benefits~ Jeff is the guy! We are willing to relocate if necessary. Just email Jeff or I and let us know. We figure the more eyes and ears that are looking and listening the better. You just never know where the one right thing will come from!

Temple Trip

Today we were able to take our family to the open house for the new Draper LDS Temple. It is situated up high on the mountain and is a very beautiful sight. None of my children can remember being inside a temple before, although Ethan was able to go to the Nauvoo Temple open house with us when he was two. It was a very special experience and one that I hope they will remember. There was such a peace and calm to be felt there. Very faith affirming and the spirit is almost tangible. Ethan is already looking forward to being twelve so he can perform baptisms in the temple. Katelyn kept asking about the "batize, hot tub." She was most fascinated with the water and Ethan really wanted to know if it was warm. Erin really liked the "wedding girls" room. It is a room where brides get ready to be married. But, I think the highlight for Erin was riding on the "big, real bus" to and from the temple. She had never been on a big bus before, other than an airport shuttle. She got a window seat on the way back which made her very happy.

While we were waiting for our big bus ride back we ran into Jeff's sister and her family. We had no idea that they were going up! It was fun to see them and it definitely helped to pass the time waiting for the bus ride back to where we were parked.

Lights at Temple Square

**This is a major back-blogging fest. If you want to read it in order then start at the bottom. I have thoroughly enjoyed my blogging vacation and am trying to get caught up now. Happy 2009!**

On New Years' Eve, after visiting my grandparents, we wanted to go see the lights at Temple Square. We have never taken the kids before, although we have had good intentions every year. It just seems to get really cold and snowy in December, and then my commitment wanes. So the procrastination of years gone by finally caught up to us and we went on the last night the lights were on. It turned out to be a great experience and not as bone chilling as I thought. Before it was dark enough for the lights we took the kids into the church history museum to spend some time. They had fun in all the children's exhibits and looking at all the prophets.

Funny story--Erin was really worried about getting locked in the building. On the loudspeaker they announced that it would be closing in ten minutes. She thought that we needed to leave right then. I insisted that they would not lock us in, and we had ten more minutes in the warmth before we needed to leave. We were looking at the pioneer section and the re-creation of the bunks on the boats that they came to America on. She was getting really antsy-

(The look says, "I do not want to be here, we need to leave, can we please go now?")

Which breaks into full blown hysteria and tears when the announcement is made that the building is now closed and we need to leave. Poor girl ran out the door before she even go her coat on. I feel bad- I didn't mean to traumatize her. And she has never been locked in anywhere after it closed. But I guess I am mean enough to take her picture.

We did recover enough to enjoy the glow of all the lights and the Temple. After our sightseeing, we made our way to the Ward's house for a fun evening of muchies, games, movies and playing to ring in the new year. And we left at 11:30- almost in time to make it home by midnight. Happy New Year cheers rang out in the car two minutes from home. Ethan and Erin had managed to stay awake (excepting Erin's 10 minute snooze about 11:40). Katelyn crashed almost as soon as we were in the car, and stayed asleep through the transfer and jacket removal.

2009 Updates to come soon...

Visit with Great-Grandparents

On New Years' Eve we went to go visit my grandparents at their home. The kids loved getting out all the old toys that I played with as a kid there. The pop-oids, Little People, and ball gun still are made of magic I think. Katelyn also discovered the dancing and singing Santa on the table. She would sneak over and push the button. I think it drove my grandpa to turn off his hearing aids, but he was still smiling. After a few hours it was time for grandpa's lunch so we went to good ol' Chuck-A-Rama with them. Jeff commented on not seeing that many older folk in one place in quite a while. (Like maybe the last time we were there at 3:00 in the afternoon?) It is hard to watch my grandparents getting older, but I hope that my children will have some memories of their great-grandparents. Because I think they are the best ever!

Sledding

After Christmas we took the kids to a great sledding place. Big hill, lots of landing space, and plenty of snow! It was freezing cold, but we got in some good runs before we called it quits. Even Katelyn got in on the action. Ethan's craziest sled was down the hill, on his back, head first, all by himself. His reaction at the bottom was "That was awesome!" I guess he has some adrenaline junkie genes in him. And of course we had to have some hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows when we got home. Now the kids are asking when we can go again. Maybe soon, there is still plenty of snow!!

Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! The kids must have been very good because Santa brought them some incredible things! Ethan got an MP3 Video player (which he calls his Ipod, but I can assure you that it is most definitely not a name brand). He has a few movies loaded on it now as well as Harry Potter and the Tale of Despereaux audio books. Ethan also got a few Lego sets this year and assembled most of them without any help. Erin got just what she asked for- Webkinz and fuzzy pajama socks. She has since named her Webkinz~ The chocolate lab is named Cutie and her light blue hippo is named Fluffy. Katelyn got her very own Dyson vacuum from Santa. She loves being mommy's helper now and vaccums quite often. But Katelyn's favorite gift was the Ho Ho with the num-nums. (Translation- the Santa Pez with lots of candies for it.) We had a great day staying home and spending time with eachother.

Ready for Santa

After our Christmas Eve celebrations at grandma and grandpa's house with most of the cousins, aunts, and uncles we made it home to get ready for Santa to come. Ethan, Katelyn and Erin are all wearing their new pajama pants that grandma gave them for Christmas.
Yummy treats for Santa. Homemade sugar cookies with lots of frosting and hot cocoa with plenty of marshmallows. This year Ethan made Santa a little Santa head out of Perler beads (or melty beads as they are known at our house). The last minute bribe was rewarded the next morning!