I have had these pictures of my kids sitting framed in my craft room. I wasn't sure how to hang them to make them look like a fabulous artistic piece on my wall. I finally succumbed to hanging them in a straight line. I didn't pay big money for them just to sit in a stack in a cupboard.
Jeff finally took the threat seriously and he found this metal wall decor and arranged and hung the photos.
I love it.
He has such a better talent at decorating than I do. (Runs in his family's blood)
This is further back so you can see it is over the couch. Also no flash used.
He thought the metal piece was representative of a family tree. It looks great doesn't it?!!
Jeff celebrated his 37th birthday last week. I think I've noticed his hair starting to thin :)
I made this cake for him with the kids help. Jessica was incredibly excited to help. She did all the top bikini frosting. All of the kids thought the "bikini cake" was a funny idea for Jeff for his birthday. The boys thought of the idea of printing out my head and putting it on the cake. I liked that added touch.
We had a fun few hours together. Jeff flew in that day from Texas, I worked the next day and then he flew out the day after that to New Jersey. No rest for the wicked or weary, something like that;)
Ellie is dressed as cotton candy. Her own original costume.
Mason as Sherlock Holmes.
Jonah as Doctor Watson.
Jessica as a Lollipop. She designed this costume herself. (When she chose her design over mine she realized that she looked like a target. But she didn't care; thank goodness.)
Here is the whole gang. We had a neighbor boy come trick-or-treating with us, he is the boys age.
It was a rainy Halloween. It gave us a glimpse of Halloween in Seattle. Luckily Dr. Watson carried a large umbrella that we were able to use.
Jeff dressed as a bike and I was his biker wife. We didn't get a picture of us :(
We had a fun night of trick-or-treating with friends and stopping at neighbors for scones and funnel cakes.
We have a family Sunday dinner 1-2 times a month with all of Jeff's family. His mom always has a craft for the kids. Last month Jeff and I hosted the dinner. I had left over dye from the boys tie-dye birthday party last spring. We decided we would tie-dye shirts for the craft. Here are the results, 16 shirts later.
I was going through Jonah's over stuffed folders that he never removes any school papers from. I was looking at each page to determine if it was trash or homework to be returned. I was reading all the teacher comments on the papers so I would be familiar with his strong areas of learning and weaker areas that we need to work on. On one of his math papers the last question was:
Explain how to subtract 7.6 from 20.39.
Jonah's answer: "You go to a good school with good teachers for five years."
The teacher's comment: "Funny. But seriously?"
Apparently we need to work a little more at math explanations.
While typing this post I noticed another math problem at the beginning of the page:
Kelly subtracted 2.3 from 20 and got 17.7. Explain why this answer is reasonable.
Jonah's answer "Because she did the problem rite." (it appears we need to work on spelling too.)
Jessica decided she wanted to shave while in the shower. She used my shaving cream and an old toothbrush. She shaved both arms, both legs and her belly. The next day she wanted to do it again so she could smell good. I told her she couldn't use all my shaving cream and Ellie suggested maybe she could use dad's shaving and that is smelled good also, kind of a handsome smell she said. Jessica replied "I want to use mommy's shaving cream because it smells like hugs and kisses." (She has since purchased her own can of shaving cream she can use whenever she likes)
Yesterday as I was doing the dishes Jessica grabbed my leg and gave me a big hug. She asked "Do you know why I always hug you before I go downstairs to watch TV?"
me: "Why?"
Jessica, "So you always know how much I love you."
(If only all humanity could think/love like a child.)
This last year has been full of uncertainty, waiting patiently (sometimes impatiently), hoping etc. Last April Jeff was laid off due to cut backs. The company closed it's doors a few months later. Jeff diligently applied for numerous jobs with few responses and follow up interviews. After 7 months the first job offer was one in Logan. It was a big pay cut and below his skill level. He was going stir crazy at home and we needed benefits so he took the job and moved to Logan, coming home on the weekends.
We felt our prayers were answered and luck had finally turned when he was offered another job at the beginning of April. This company was growing fast and felt they needed a project manager. The pay was good, benefits were good and the company was an enjoyable genealogy business.
It felt like a punch in the gut when after only six weeks with that company they decided they did not want to go the direction of project management and wanted to try different avenues.
It was deja vu all over again. I spoke with my manager and changed my status so I can receive benefits through my work. Last summer I worked a ton of hours but never changed my status to receive benefits. I was in hopes that any day Jeff would be working and I could cut back. I don't dare chance it this time so regardless of how soon Jeff is working I am committed to the status change for a minimum of six months. I don't love working this much, but I am forever grateful to be in an occupation and with a good company and good managers who will help meet my family's needs.
The spirit has brought great comfort to us. I do not have the stress and fear that I experienced last year. Jeff is positive and up beat. He has had numerous interviews in just a months time. He enjoys taking the kids bowling, swimming, to Classic Skating and baseball. I don't feel resentful that I am missing it. (I did last summer.) My house is fairly cluttered and I don't care. I'd rather do a quick tidy and spend more time with my family than worry about deep cleaning and organization. I figure when I'm 60 yrs old my house will finally be clean and organized.
We are all healthy and happy. I don't know how long this repeated experience will last but in the mean time we are enjoying our summer.
