I know...It's been a while

So much has happened and time has gone way too fast. I have been working now for about 2 months and I am finally beginning to get the hang of things. I think I have identified most of the personnel issues and now we just need to work at finding solutions that create harmony rather then discord. I am also beginning to identify the inefficiencies of the company and put into place policies and procedures to help eliminate them.

The boys are about 2/3rd's of the way through school and are enjoying their spring break. They love school and are both doing great. Kale has graduated from his speech class and is now talking like a "normal" 4 year old. He is so excited that he will get to go to "the big school" next year. Kenny is really excelling and doing great in reading, writing and spelling. He still struggles a bit with his math, but we are working on it with him and he is seeing consistent progress.

Kenneth is still not working, but is finding things to do to stay busy. He is helping people complete "to do" projects, working on prepping the house for foster kids and continuing to rebuild his motorcycle. He is making a little money here and there, working on the side and has started looking for other ways to make a living, as the construction industry is just not coming back as quickly as we need it to.

We are going through the process to become certified in Las Vegas to be foster parents. We are kicking around many options and are thinking about taking in siblings (3 or more) and seeing how that goes. We may also take children that have "challenges". Most are mental or emotional challenges and the agency that we are working with provides support, training and assistance as needed.

There are many changes going on in our lives right now and things seem to change from day to day. I am striving to stay positive (and failing miserably right now) but trying none the less to show my trust and faith in my Heavenly Father and work so that I can be ready when he directs. This is all in his hands now and we are crossing our fingers, praying fervently and hoping with all our hearts that whatever happens, happens so that we recognize the Lord's hand in our lives.

I know the Lord loves our little family and has great things in store for us. I also know that it must happen on his timeline and that no amount of begging, pleading, or asking will change that timeline. I keep praying that whatever it might be, that we can survive until them and find joy in the journey.

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.

Aviation Nation 2009

Each year, Nellis Air Force Base hosts a public event which allows the general public to come onto the base and view planes and witness fly-bys of many different planes, including the Thunderbirds, the USAF’s ambassador’s in blue.  http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/index.html

This is the second year we have taken the boys and each year they have a great time.  Kenny was so enthralled with the planes and said that he wanted to be a pilot for the Air Force when he grows up.  He wanted to touch each plane, to feel the surface, whether smooth, rough, bullet-marked, etc…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He wandered around wide-eyed, amazed and he seemed to be trying to take it all in and remember it all.  I loved walking with him and observing him as his mind filled with awe and possibilities.  I could see his mind working to formulate an idea of what it must be like to sit in the cockpit of a plane and fly over the world.

We saw current planes (F-16, C-130, etc…)

 

 

 

 

unmanned aircrafts (raptor, predator, and a mockup of the Global hawk)

planes from all of the wars (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korean), 

and aggressor planes (migs, Israeli Kfir (F-21)).

 

 

 

 

 

It is amazing to watch as they fly overhead and see the capabilities they have, the speed, power…

Here are some other pictures that you might enjoy:

Kenny posing in an aggressor’s intake.

Kale posing in an aggressor’s intake.

Kenny holding a grenade launcher.

Kenny waiting for the Thunderbirds air show.

On a more personal note…

As I watched the Thunderbirds fly overhead and looked at all the men and women who serve in our military, working to keep each of us free and safe, I was filled with a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all that they do.  I know that the government is doing all they can to reduce the amount of time and personal presence to protect and limit deaths as they strive to keep the country’s freedom strong, but as I thought about all the men and women who have given their lives and knowing that more will be called upon to give their lives, I am so grateful that I have been blessed with all that I have.

It was a blessing for me to be able to attend Aviation Nation this year.  I am reminded that so much is done for me by others that I fail to remember and recognize often enough.  I am challenging myself to REMEMBER and show my appreciation each chance I get.

Halloween for the Boys (Part 3)

On Friday the 30th, we had the ward’s annual chili cook-off and Trunk-r-Treat.  Kenneth decided that he wanted to make a chili to enter in the contest.  So he opened the fridge to see what we had (not much).  He ended up using 5 cans of Hormel Chili, added hot dogs and ground beef seasoned with onions and garlic and called it “Chili Dog Chili”.  He won third place.  Can you believe it?

Kenny decided that he didn’t want to wear the wig again, so we spray-painted his hair black and put some makeup on his face – to make him look dead – and called him a goth vampire.

He actually looked pretty great with black hair. It suited him well.

This picture was taken after he had been out and about for several hours.  He had eaten several pieces of candy and a sucker – thus the orange around his lips and the worn off makeup.

After the trunk-r-treat, we drove up to the outlook for the city and took some pics and enjoyed the view.  Check out the pictures taken by Kale, Mom and Dad.

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Kenneth decided since it was Halloween and he could get away with almost anything, to cut his hair and give himself a mo-hawk. 

He also cut his beard so that he had mutton chops and a split goatee.  He looked like a UFC Fighter.

We had a great time and enjoyed spending the evening together as a family.  They boys collected quite the stash of candy and should be set until next year.  They went around 3-4 times and got lots of compliments on their costumes and as always, were quite the hit with the ladies. 
For Halloween night, we holed up in the “Theatre Room” and watched movie, enjoyed teriyaki beef for dinner and then went to bed.