Bloom where we are planted...

nightblooming cereus?

2010-08-26T08:38:00.001-07:00

I am very tired. Ellie hasn't been sleeping all that well, even during nap times. A mom needs some time to herself and I have been lacking in that dept. as of late, so when Ellie finally went to sleep last night I took advantage. I stayed up later than I should have (midnight) and what ensued was not desirable. Ellie, who got her 6 month vaccinations yesterday, woke up once and I fed her. Then she woke up about an hour later (3:30) and was burning up. So I got her up to check her temp and give her some fever meds if needed. She did. So, I gave her some. She proceeded to throw it up. This made what could have been a very quick awakening exponentially longer. I finally got her headed back to sleep, and me too, by 5:30. Meredith woke up at 6. I am very tired.

bouquet of blessings

2010-08-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

I really need to step this writing thing up. We are now living near Spokane, Washington. Apparently, the last time I posted, I was pregnant with our 3rd and final kiddo. Eleanor came into the world in February. She has rounded out our family nicely. Juggling 3 children is challenging some times, but very rewarding as well.

Neil retired in Oct. 2009. He has been going to school, community college, but took this summer off. I have been working part-time merchandising greeting cards. We are both very involved in our childrens lives, while simultaneously making our way in this world. It has not been as easy as one would think, figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life. The whole world is open to possibilities, though much of it has a price tag. We are fortunate to have Neil's pension to pay for our needs. Finding our true passions and what we are meant to contribute to this world is a tall order. We are both committed to finding the answer, or at least heading in the right direction. I would love to do some writing. I wouldn't mind looking into some radio or event planning also. Time will tell.

We are thankful for blessings all around and opportunities to come.

Western Pine

2009-05-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a while since I wrote. Much has happened in the last few months. We are moving back West to Washington State in less than a month. We bought 14 1/2 acres and a house. We are eager to get there, get settled and get on with life.

The kids are good. Xavier is 10 and happy to almost be done with 4th grade. Meredith turns 1 this weekend, I can hardly believe it. She is stepping around here and there, babbling up a storm and eating lots of yummy foods. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful, healthy, smart human beings under our care.

We have quite the trek ahead of us. I will write more details later but suffice as to say we will be driving 2 vehicles, 2 kids, 2 dogs through 10 states in 5 days. The kids and I will be in Eastern Washington for about 10 days before we will get back in the car and head down to visit my mom and then up to my dad, visiting several sights on the way. We will be gone for almost 3 weeks, as Neil will be working on remodeling our new digs.

So that's it in a nutshell for now. I will post with more details soon.

nonesuch daffodil

2008-10-08T07:26:00.001-07:00

I have been job searching...for something part-time and have applied about 10 places with only one 'thanks but no thanks'. I am continuing to look, but am starting to think that it is just not the season right now. I am looking specifically for either a part-time job in DC and will put Meredith in daycare or a part-time job near our house that I can bring her with. So far nada. The important thing is finding the right job for our circumstances.

The economy is in shambles. I may have to find a FT job come January. Who knows but God. I still have faith that it will all work out. I am thankful that Neil has a job and that we are holding stable because of that. He has been very supportive of my decisions and I am grateful, our family is blessed.

Will keep you posted on the search. I am not near panicked or desperate, rather quite calm about all the goings on. Prayer helps ;)

money doesn't grow on trees...does it?

2008-09-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

So, the country is spiraling into a financial mess and we are pretty blessed that it hasn't impacted us drastically or in any sudden way. Our biggest dilemma, however, is our house. As a result of the mortgage crisis, the value has dropped. We like our house a lot. If it was in Washington (State for you East Coasters), it would be perfect...alas, it is not. With Neil retiring next year a lot of choices must be made. Provided Neil finds a job here, we will stay for another year and then head West, otherwise we will head there next year. Fact is our house is worth FAR less than we bought it for. We will have to hang on to it for a good bit until the market comes back around, but we have decided NOT to live here until that happens. This entails our having to make up the difference between rent (after we move) and the mortgage payment. This is an interesting burden to have and forces us to look at options in regard to employment here and in Spokane, as well as time frames. Renting, when we get to Spokane, is something we want to avoid. Will keep you posted on progress made in all fronts.

Then there is the paradox I face regarding work. I have been looking for something part time and will continue to do so. My working would establish a little more of a cushion during the transition or our moving either in 2009 or 2010. It is important to me to be able to spend time with Meredith and Xavier. The job climate is changing, it just seems there is less to choose from which means less options and in some cases less money. I don't really want to work full time but may have to come January or so...that will be revisited as well. Until then I will continue keeping my eyes open for a part time something, I will also continue to water that special plant in our back yard with the highest hopes.

little sprout

2008-09-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

Meredith had her 4 month today. Despite some sore thighs (4 different vaccinations), she is doing really well. She weighs 15 lbs 12 oz and is 25 & 3/8 inches. I really do love this stage, she is so much more reactive and fun. Soon, she will starting sitting on her own and playing, I just love it. She is such a gift.

changing of the guardiola

2008-09-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

well...
it has been decided...
Neil will retire next year from the CG
considering all things this is the best decision for us.
We will stick around this area for another year after that to make some extra money before moving to Spokane.

SOOOO, we will back on the West Coast summer 2010!!! Yay!
more details to come, but it is just good to know what is on the near horizon.

little heartleaf

2008-09-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Meredith has had another echocardiogram, her 3rd since she was born (4th if you count in utero). She still has the rhabdomyomas, but they have gotten smaller, praise God, and should continue to do so. She still has the small hole in her heart as well, we hope it closes, but are assured it is causing no issue right now and can be addressed when she is 2 or 3 if it has not grown closed.
This is all around good news! She will need to be seen again at 6 months old for another echo just to keep tabs on things.
She has been growing and is healthy, almost 4 months old and weighs over 13 lbs. Good stuff :)

baby's breath

2008-09-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

In this crazy world there is one thing I am sure of, the innocence as you look into your baby's eyes. So precious, so new, unscathed, untainted. There are moments that the world stands still and nothing is more important. Knowing that she has to rely on me and her daddy for all that she needs.
Her world is so small, it includes only 3 other people and 2 dogs day in and day out, and some other occasional visitors that are probably fleeting in her memory. But, she knows me. She sees me all the time, the minute she opens her beautiful eyes to the minute before she rests her head for the night. I love it. I watch her sleep in amazement, it is a wonder how intricately each of us is put together.
There is something so precious about your baby, they are only so small for such a short time. I can't even believe how much they change in a blink. I am thankful for her, I am thankful that God entrusts me with both my kids and I know what big responsibility that entails.
Life is just amazing and I am continually in awe. Meredith and Xavier both have had their challenges thus far in their short lives and will continue to, yet I am so thankful for all that they are regardless. A day doesn't pass that I don't recognize and appreciate their existence, their intrinsic value and impact on my life. I am so excited about what God has in store for the 4 of us. What I do know though is that I am better because they are here, as so the world is.

sowing the seeds of love

2008-09-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

As most of you know our family increased by one on May 31st with the addition of Meredith Julia. She is now 3 months old and a complete delight. I had been on maternity leave and have decided not to return to my full-time job in DC. I had proposed to return part-time but my company was uninterested.
I have been home now for 3 months it can best be summed up in 3 segments, Month 1 was healing, Month 2 was traveling and Month 3 has been home with both kids. I have enjoyed it so far and it is relaxing most of the time, but I have to keep the house clean and cook a little more often, which is fine.
Neil and I have had conversations and I think I am looking to find something part-time in DC, to begin in a month or 2. Why DC you ask? While it is farther away, Neil heads there anyway and Meredith would be going to daycare in his building while Xavier goes to one near our house (nearer to his school too). What would be unique about our situation is that Neil telecommutes on Mondays, so I would go to work and then Meredith would only have to be at daycare 2 days a week! I will not compromise for her to be there anymore than that. This may be the best scenario for us. Though my staying home full-time would be good, I think under the circumstances my monetary contribution to our family, plus my continued working experience would be better served by me having a job (not to mention that being in DC, there is a really good job market with really good pay).
So, while I am not 100% settled on this idea, I am starting to look because I figure it might take a while to get a job that fits various criteria including particular days, particular hours and location. I would like to be working part-time no later than January.
Updates to come.

Happy Sprouting!

transplants

2008-09-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

SO, we have been here in Virginia for almost 3 years now. We like it, but are ready to hear the words "go West young man" (or man, woman, children and dogs too). Alas, that is not the case yet. Will keep you updated on that situation. As for now, we make the most of living here in Virginia where it is pretty nice year round.
Looking forward to sharing stories and issues that are going on.

Happy Blossoming!