No more Unemployment for Mom!!

I have finally gotten a permanent position. It isn't the one I mentioned last year; that offer was rescinded, but I am pretty excited for the new opportunity. I will be a controller for a Medium-sized Sub-Contracting company that specialized in fire protection (IE., sprinklers, fire alarm, fire hydrants, etc...) I start on2/1/10 and I am looking forward to the new challenge.

A challenge it will be too! There is a lot of clean up and reorganization that needs to happen. Procedures and policies need to be written down and published and there is no human resources; so that will also become my responsibility. I will be supervising a team of 3-4 staff accountants and clerks. And to top that off, the last Controller and CFO couldn't communicate with his staff to save his life, so I am expecting some major communication and trust issues to come out early on.

I know that I can do it though. I just need to hang on, be honest and let them know how much they are needed while still holding them accountable for their responsibilities. I also need to figure out how to make it clear right up front that we are starting fresh and that any "emotional" baggage from before needs to be left at the door. I think I need to come up with something more professional then that though. That could cause alienation right off the bat.

I am excited and looking forward to the growth. I will keep you all posted on the happenings and ask that you include me in your prayers. Thanks to all for the support and love that has been and is given to me. I am grateful to everyone for the influence they have in my life.

More of 2009 coming...

I have more to put on the blog for 2009 and I hope to get to it this week. Check back soon!

Putting up the Christmas Tree

 

We have a 13-foot Christmas tree the fills our front room.  We have vaulted ceilings in that room and so the tree is perfect. 

We actually got the tree for free from a family in one of our previous wards.  They lived in a house that was the identical floor plan we were buying.  They were moving into a smaller apartment and no longer had a need for the tree.  They didn’t want to just give it away to anyone, so they asked if we would like it.  Of Course we said yes because this meant that we wouldn’t have to buy one of our own.  When Kenneth went to pick it up, he found it in 6 – yes SIX – pieces.  We didn’t really understand the size until we put it up last year.  it was a chore!!!

This year, instead of trying to put it up with 6-foot ladders, Kenneth brought home some Baker Scaffolding and we set it up in the living room.

 The boys had a great time climbing on and “helping” to fluff and decorate the tree.  It took us about 6 days to get the tree up, fluffed and decorated.  But when we were done – IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!

So was the rest of the house.  Here are just a few pictures of the decorations:

This is the piano and pony wall between the front room and the library.

This is my Nativity Scene.  We saved our Deseret Book points for 2 years to buy this.  I love it and sometimes think I should leave it out all year long to remind us of our Savior’s life and birth.

In our front room, we have planter shelves and very high ceilings.  This allows up to have walls of pictures.  It also is a perfect place to display my Santa Collection. 

   

I really love Christmas with the music, lights, decorations and smiling faces.  The shiny wrappings and beautiful bows, the wreaths and candy canes.  I am grateful that we have all these symbols to remind us of the importance of this time of year and the reason for the celebration.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was nice and quiet.  It was just our immediate family and so we didn’t really have a schedule.  We got up and put the turkey in the oven and then just spent time together until it was time to eat.  I told the boys I wanted to make some turkey name cards and asked it they wanted to help.  Kenny was all for it, so he and I ventured down into my scrapbook room, Kale joining us a few minutes later and here is what we did…

They really enjoyed tracing their hands and cutting out their little turkeys.

It was fun being able to share something I enjoy doing with my boys and we had a great time together.  After they decided they were done, I decided I wanted to try one other thing.  I made a turkey centerpiece that I think turned out pretty darn cute…

Then I spent some time setting the table and getting ready for the meals.

This was the table setting that I used.  The table looked great.  In fact, the boys were afraid to come near it for fear they might mess it up.

The turkey was the best yet.  Kenneth cooked it and he did something to it this year that left it tender and juicy with a flavor that was “to die for”.  I am not a big fan of turkey, but this was some of the best I’ve had.

All in all – It was a great day and being together made it even better.  We missed out family that wasn’t with us, but we really loved being together.