Family fun day at Crown Center

We didn't have any plan on Thursday and Nathan had 3 interviews lined up for Friday so we decided to take a trip into the city! I always realize how sheltered my life is in Suburbia when I drive downtown.. I get really excited to be out exploring new land.
Especially since Nathan hasn't really experienced a lot of KC.

We headed down to Crown Center because they had a cool FREE exhibit for the kiddos to play at. It was Under the Sea themed and just had a maze type thing set up for kids to climb on and it was all painted like you were in the ocean. They LOVED it!



We decided to have lunch down there at Fritz Railroad Restaurant. They have a train that goes around the ceiling and "delivers" your food to you. Avery was loving it! "Where's Choo-choo?" she would say.







We got a little lost heading down there so, fortunately we ended up parking across the street from the shopping part of CC. This gave us the opportunity to see the fountains and let the kids enjoy the beautiful weather outside, sans jackets!





Ethan got a little carried away with the water fountains and ended up soaked. I could tell Avery wanted to touch the water but, was still too cautious :-)



It was a great Family Fun Day! I like saying that cause I know one day they will be older and will be like.. uhhhh MOM...Do we HAVE to go to Family fun day!? LOL

Call Backs

Thought it was time for another update on the job search. I am completely humbled by how much support and prayers have been given to our family. I want to say THANK YOU!! I could never repay you guys for all the kind words and "I've been prayin for you's" I have received. So, here is an up to date list of the jobs Nate is "IN PROCESS" with..

DST Systems- System Administrator
This is our NUMBER ONE hope right now. Nathan had found out about this job at the JCCC job fair in January.. (See Previous Posts)
He successfully passed the first in-person interview and is on for his second interview with a few more members of the team THIS Friday at 3pm. He is really excited about this job and would love to get on with this company.

Perceptive Software- Database Administrator
He has had a phone interview with the recruiter, taken a tech skills test and was called in for an interview this Friday morning.

Jack Henry- Database Administrator
Talked with a recruiter about this job and is at the beginning stage of the process.

Terracon and AmeriNat'l are crossed off the list.. with every NO, we get closer to a YES!<-- what my dear friend Jean says :-)

I am in a Bible Study on Monday mornings at Indian Creek and one of the readings last week was about praying for specific things when you are praying. Beth Moore states that is what God wants you to do. I don't have my book by me right now but, God knows our hearts anyways and what we want/ need. So, if he is just waiting for us to say it to him, why wouldn't we? <-- something to that effect. This is why I am putting the names of the companies on here so that if people want to pray they know specific names to include.

One more cool thing to wrap this post up..

At my MOPS group we pray at the end of our meetings for all the prayer requests that people have put in the basket. This occurs at about 11:20-11:25 or so? Yesterday morning I included Nathan's job search in the prayer basket about him receiving the perfect job for him. at 11:29 He got the phone call for the Third Interview with DST. I thought it was so awesome that some prayers are answered quickly and some take time..This gives me hope. So, Pray and Pray some more! :-)

Our Love Story

Here's the story of my Hunky Hubby and I's Romance.. (Let me preface.. this is not just about how his looks attacted me, although they did. I just like being able to chronicle the way we changed over the years and our story has the pics to go along with it.. that being said, here is the story of US!

Back in 2002 was when we first met. We talked on the phone for HOURS and said that one day we would be on Oprah for having the won the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest phone conversation. We said we would literally stay on the phone until the taping of the imagined show and then walk out separately-- still on the phone with each other.. He was 19 and I was 21.

It turned out to be that the timing was off. He was just out on his own in college, enjoying his freedom and all that comes with that. I on the other hand, had finally decided to sober up and was about 90 days sober. The timing wasn't right. We were on two different paths. So we drifted apart and time went on. Here is a pic just to give you a reference of what he looked like :-)



Not exactly the timing but you get the picture, clean cut.. Hunky.. etc.

In 2004 we meet up again, at DeVry, where we both went to school. He was lingering around the Computer Lab with his Senior Project team. I just happened to work in the Computer Lab and with one of his classmates. So, I start to see him around more and would NOT talk to him. I pretty much AVOIDED him at all costs because he was cute and I was scared. I'm a weird girl. So, now I had no choice but to smile (at least!)at him so, smile I did.

He ended up graduating in 2004 along with my Best Friend Dan. I went to the graduation for Dan and there ended up being a perfect photo op! a few of the guys were just standing around talking so, me being me told them all to scooch in together and I snapped this photo.. (He's totally looking right at me!)



Sorry for the photo quality, not on digital camera back then, actually I think it was a winder camera. to advance to the next negative you had to wind the little wheel? Anyways. I took this picture so I could have one of this hunky dude.. since I was too chicken to say ANYTHING TO HIM!

Fast forward 2 years and I was working in the LAN LAB at DeVry. Most of my time consisted of surfing the net, doing homework and some real work every now and then. So, I was bored one day and decided to troll Myspace. Remember that? haha. They had a group on there where you could see all the DeVry student and alumni. So, I was scrolling through and saw that handsome face (previously posted is his actual Myspace profile pic) I decided I'm gonna go for it! see if he remembers me. So, I sent him a message. "Remember Me?" and he replied " Of Course, I could never forget a pretty face." I was hooked!

So, we started to chat on Y!Msgr(Yahoo) and text ALOT! It started out as texting the cheesiest pick up lines we could come up with. I was literally googling cheesy pickup lines to keep it going! :-) Then one day he decides he needs something from the Computer Lab, some software or something, can I help him out? Of course! So I grab the software and head on over.. this is what I arrived to..



Where was Mr.CleanCut? He was replaced by Mr.Hippie dude. But I knew what he had looked like and would look like again so, I didn't let a little hair deter me :-)

Jan 20, 2006 was our "official" date that we decided.. "Hey, I like you enough to not go out with other people"... We hung out a lot that month but, mostly after work or on the phone. Then came Valentine's Day. It was our FIRST OFFICIAL DATE.. where he took me out, paid for it and we were still trying to impress each other. Oh the joys of being young, single and frantic. I remember he took me out to Jose Peppers in Olathe (where he lived) and we had a small booth and there was a million other couples in there. He bought me a red rose and we all know what that means!! ;-)

We sat in our booth and Nate, as always.. was cool, calm and laid back. I, on the other hand was like a frantic ball of nerves and had butterflies flying up in my throat. He was the cutest guy EVER to me and I didn't wanna screw it up so, I played "ALOOF" <-- a word coined by my friend when I would over analyze everything he said/ I said and wonder.. what's he thinking?!What does that MEAN!? and she would say.. Just act ALOOF.. So, I did and it must've worked because he wanted to see me again.. and again.. and now forever! :)

He's still the hunky guy I met 10 years ago and started dating 5 years ago! I love this picture of him because it's his REAL smile. Not his posed smile. I Love You Natey!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a busy morning today. Avery and I went to Bible Study for about an hour and she got loaded up with sugar before we had to be at Ethan's preschool for his V-Day partay! Nate forgot the camera at home so, all my pics are on my phone still.

When we got home I took a family pic of us, as requested per Nate's mom. She got us a Valentine's Frame so, we needed a picture. I think it turned out pretty cute!



Then I just went crazy snapping cute pics of the kids. I made a late night, last minute run to CVS and Family Dollar last night to get the kiddos some Valentines from us. Ethan got a Buzz Lightyear Umbrella for spring! ( If I buy it.. It will come, right?) and then both got new nightlights and a stuffed puppy for Avery. Not to mention waayy too much candy.


Avery's New "Cheese" Face


Can I open it NOW?


Candid of Avery pushing out her belly

I was going through Ethan's Valentines today and I remember back in the day when you just got the card. Now they all come with some cool trinket or snack. I miss the simpler days... and to think my childhood was "futuristic" HA!


Channeling the "Bieb"

Snow Day.. Overdue.

I have been waayy behind on posting photos. So, here are a couple from the last SnOMG Storm that we had. Nathan took great pride in building a snow fort with/ for Ethan. I think it rekindled some memories from his youth, as a lad growing up in Colorado.
It was pretty impressive! But, collapsed shortly after the temperature started to climb above 30.








Sorry my pics are so big.. I am too tired to mess with it.

Interviews

Nathan had two interviews today, *see my previous post* He says "Both went REALLY well!"

DST Systems- The first was a phone interview and apparently the recruiter told him that she would be scheduling a second interview for later this week once she figured out the "guy who interviews" schedule.. I don't know what he is called so, that is his name, for now. :-) Before he left at 2:30 for his other in person interview he had the second interview scheduled! (Thursday @ 1p) :-) YAY! This job is located in Downtown KC, about 30 minute commute. But, the cool thing is he could work 7-4's which he seems pretty pumped about. Especially during rush hour!
The recruiter also told him to wait til he has all his options for jobs and not to just take one because it's offered-- meaning, he may be offered a position there?

AmeriNat'l Bank-The second interview was very good as well. It's a smaller office with a total of 3-4 IT guys. He would be doing pretty much the same thing he did at his last job except with clearly defined roles. (IE: Not working 3 jobs in one!)He was the FIRST interview for this position and he feels pretty confident that he made a great first impression for the other candidates to live up to. He also ended up staying 45 mins past the interview time just chit-chatting with the guy about XBOX and other nerdy stuff :-)

I don't know God's plan for us but, quoting my new fav song " It's gonna be WILD, It's gonna be GREAT, It's gonna be full of HIM!"

Thanks for praying and keeping up to date with us during this journey.

Jesus Culture - Come Away

This song was played last Sunday at our church and although I have heard it before.. It really SPOKE to me this time. Enjoy!

Two Possiblilties

Just wanted to post a quick update on the Job Sitch (Situation) :-)

Nathan has an interview tomorrow morning at 11am with DST Systems. They are the people that gave him the heads up about a position opening to apply for this week. They determined that he has all the experience needed so, they just called him before he could apply and set up a phone interview! So awesome!

Then he has a face to face interview with AmeriNational Bank at 3pm. This is job that one of his old co-workers had found out about after he was laid off as well.
So he referred them to Nathan. :-)

I am feeling more hopeful now about the whole job issue. I have more to post but need to catch up on IDOL now. CIAO!

Opportunities Knockin'

To keep track of the different opportunities still out there for N. I will list them just for myself to keep track of as well and it will be fun to see the journey that we take as I document this all :-)


1. Terracon- had a phone interview and then a 3 hr in person 2nd interview a month ago. (The Friday after he was laid off) We never heard back so figured it was a NO GO.. then they emailed him after the snow days a week ago and said "We still haven't made up our minds yet" So.. technically he is still in the running :-)

2. Perceptive Software- had a phone interview with a recruiter, went in this week to take a written technical skills test (feels pretty confident on how it went) and will hear back shortly with the results. If his score is good they will call him in for a face to face interview.

3. Convergenz- Used to work with a guy and has a possible job, IF they acquire a contract that he is already familiar with.

4. SolutionsNow- He has a phone interview on Monday with their recruiter.

5. DST Systems- Sys Admin Job (He went to a job fair at JCCC and a recruiter gave him a heads up about a job that would be "opening up" So, they called today to let him know the job will be posted this week to apply for)

6. MegaForce,TechniSource,TechSystems,RobertHalf Technologies plus 4 more recruiters all have his info so when something floats across the desk they will contact him.


Keep the prayers a comin'.. Very appreciated!! :-)

On the hunt

Nathan has been on the job hunt for almost a month now. He has been on countless
(i'm sure he could count) phone interviews, recruiter interviews etc.. nothing has turned up yet. We have filed for unemployment but, unfortunately the maximum amount is 450 or so a week and that just covers our home and car payments.. eek! We do have our tax refund coming back to us shortly. Our last paycheck was last Monday and it was little higher than his usual paychecks so, combined with our state refund we are okay for the month of February (including Ethan's birthday party!!) Praise GOD! I was worried that we would really really have to skimp on it and thankfully we have just enough to give him the dream TOY STORY birthday he keeps asking for.

In the midst of all this uncertainty I try to really just focus on the moment. I try to see this as such a great time for us, as a family. To be together and be able to really unite. Some days I am ready to disband but, those days are fewer than the rest. It's been such a joy to watch Nathan and Ethan enjoy the snow and build forts inside together. At first I thought I had to be uptight and freaked out 24/7. I thought Nathan had to be on the prowl for a job 8 hours a day everyday. But I do feel like God has changed my heart to know that He knows whats best and has been leading me to treasure this time and be grateful to have Nate around while we do cause he will get a job again and things will be a "new normal" again. Instead of wishing for what was or what "should be".. I am accepting what IS, RIGHT NOW and that is all that I can do.

I do absolutely TRUST God to move mountains and put the perfect job for Nathan in front of us, at exactly the RIGHT time. I have an awesome prayer warrior friend Jean and she always says, God is rarely early, but never late. I love that saying! It really does give me great hope! I have been applying for jobs here and there but none of them are panning out for me. I am going to start pursuing p/t jobs that I can work around Nathan's schedule once he does get a job.

I was putting together my calendar today and thought, gosh I have a job. I have to keep track of a million different schedules (mine, ethan's, nate's, doctors, birthdays etc) all the time. I have to get people places, remind them of things, pay for things etc.. I FINALLY realized how much WORK I do for our family. It's crazy.. for a moment I thought, I am too busy to get a job! LOL