An Update

Things are going well, albeit slow in my book, with the job hunt. We have had a lot of good leads thanks to many good friends, and a lot of searching on the Internet. Ryan has had a pretty good number of phone interviews with a number of different companies, and one interview in person. Hopefully something will happen soon. Ryan is good about following up with the companies and letting them know he's ready to work. He's been told that the hiring is a slow process. It's hard to be patient. We know there is something out there for us, we keep on looking.
We are so thankful for all the support out there from our family and friends who are praying, helping, finding, and referring us in the directions of possible jobs. We are truly blessed. Thank you all for all you do for us, we so appreciate it.

A Day at the Air Zoo

There was a free day at the Air Zoo last week so we jumped at the chance to go. We were able to print off a coupon for 2 people to get in free and Olivia was free at 4 and under, so we thought we'd just have to pay for Luke. (Just- it's $15.00 for him alone. Adults are $20.) The people were so nice and told us that that the coupon would work for all of us, so it really was FREE.
It was also Super Science Saturday, which was even a better bonus, because then Luke got to do science experiments as well. While Luke was learning about magnets, Livvy decided she want to try out the Hot Air Balloon ride. This is huge for her, our timid little girl. I took her on the ride, (oh, how I hate rides that go in circles), and she did really well. I sang "Once there was a Snowman to her over and over again while the ride went on and on, and on, and on, and on, and she was totally fine. She told Luke and Dad that she went on the "Water Balloon Ride." Luke told her it was a "Hot Air Balloon," so she now calls it the "Hot Water Balloon Ride."
Ryan went in the flight simulator- Luke was about 1/2 inch too short. Livvy calls the simulator ride the "Garbage Can," so she keeps saying, "Dada went in the Garbage Can." Cute girl!
In the Children's Room, just before we left Livvy made a 180 about the little rides as well. Normally she HATES them, and she freaks out if you even suggest putting her on them. Luke invited her in the space shuttle, and that was all it took, then she was excited to ride every ride she could. Luke had fun pretending that Livvy's driving scared him.
We sure had fun going there as a family. Hooray for a free day at the museum.

A Surprise to Document

I was busy using the computer while I could get a chance. I looked over and Ryan was doing Olivia's hair. I was so impressed I had to capture it on film. Not only was he doing her hair, he was putting barrettes in it. Normally if Ryan has to Livvy's hair, he puts the leave in conditioner in, combs it, and calls it good.

You can't see his face very well, but I love the expression on it like he's trying to say, "Did I do it right?"

What a good Dad!

A Day at the Zoo

The Petting Zoo
Unbelievably Lukas and Olivia loved the petting zoo. Luke loved that he could brush the animals and Olivia loved how gentle and small they were. The petting zoo we went to at the fair last year had mean little goats that bit you, so she didn't like that one at all.
Olivia loved this little goat in particular, and always had to have her hand on it's back. She followed it wherever it went.
We're really glad these big horned cattle weren't in the Petting Zoo.
Every one loved the drums.

The kids are going on Safari.
Look at the excitement! We bought a cracker that Luke fed the giraffe. He was so nice to break it and try to give a piece to Olivia to feed it, but she wanted nothing to do with that weird looking creature.
Check out the reach of that tongue.

We went to the Binder Park Zoo for a fun outing after Luke's soccer game. We were given free tickets into the zoo for our family so we decided to finally go. Luke had so much fun, and he never even once complained about walking. Olivia was in need of a nap, so she endured it with style. You can figure out for yourself what type of style it was. The highlight for Luke was feeding the giraffes. The highlight for Olivia was the Petting Zoo and her favorite goat. I was sick, and wanted nothing more than a bed and a box of Kleenex. Ryan was so good to be patient and deal with the kids while I survived the trip. It was a beautiful hot day, Luke made sure that we put sunscreen on every one, and then after we got in the zoo we realized that most of it was in the shade and we never really saw the sun. We were prepared though.

I Did It

I DID IT! I set a goal and I accomplished it. I am embarrassed to say how long it's taken me, but I'm glad I did it.
A while back in General Conference (April of 2007) M. Russel Ballard gave a talk on the Miracle of the Bible. I very strongly felt that I needed to read the Old Testament. I have tried many times to read it, and get into Leviticus and have a hard time getting through it. This time I plugged along, and I was able to accomplish my goal. I was able to finish on Sept. 18Th, 2008. It felt good to do it, hopefully I'll be better about setting goals and accomplishing them.
I am thankful for the Scriptures which our Heavenly Father has given us. We have a loving Father who has provided us with a way to learn, and do in some cases and avoid in others, things that will help us grow closer to Him.

Caught up

I think I may be caught up on my blogging. With Ryan home and working on the computer I find it difficult to sneak in any time on it. But he is gone to a seminar in Detroit with LDS Employment Services so I found the computer waiting just for me. Livvy is singing in that pitch that destroys human brain function, and turns dogs into jello, so I guess I will go give her the attention she deserves. She is such a happy fun little girl.

Second Grade

A day that I do not look forward to- the 1st day of school. Luke is heading out into the world. He was excited to get back and see his friends. I woke him up, whispering "it's the first day of school." I went to finish getting something ready, and went in about 30 seconds later, expecting to have to wake him up again. He was up and already dressed. He finished his morning routine in about 10 minutes and was ready to head out to the bus stop 30 minutes early. (And the bus is usually 10 minutes late the first couple of days). He was excited to go.

The night before Luke had set his clothes out in the form of himself laying down on the floor, he was pretty excited, I wish I had taken a picture of it, words just can't do it justice. Maybe I'll have him recreate it.

Labor Day

On Labor Day we went to Chicago to go to the Temple. It was open for a few sessions in the morning. We actually got lost (hehehehehe) on the way way. (Ryan missed a connecting interstate and we ended up a ways out of our way). I had gone to the Detroit Temple with a friend the week before, and since the Temple wasn't open long enough for us to both go through a session,(we had the kids and we couldn't go in together), Ryan went in and I stayed with the kids. After the session, which was very nice for Ryan to go to, we went downtown to the Magnificent Mile and window shopped. Luke and Livvy had so much fun in the Lego store. I think they think it's the best store ever built. We enjoyed ourselves. We were going to go to a museum, we have a reciprocal pass, but we ran out of time. We had to get home early enough to get Luke off to school the next day. The traffic was great, it was a fun time, and now Luke's off to school.

Luke's destruction

So the other night, I was outside with Olivia and we were looking up to the dark night sky. I pointed out the moon and asked her "What's that?" She said, "da moon." She looked at it a little longer, and then she said,"Luke break it."

She sold her brother out. He had broke that moon right in 2. How he did it, we'll never know, but now we do know it was him.

I just cracked up. How funny that she thought Luke broke the moon because it was a half moon that night.

"Labor"less Day

Our friends invited us back to their pool to enjoy the beautiful weekend. It was a great time, we loved being able to spend time together and let the kids play before school started. We held our mini version of the Olympics, we swam through hoops, help our breath, and the men saw who could make the biggest splash with the cannonball. I think Ryan won the gold in that event.

So I have been trying to figure out how or what or if anything to say about this subject on the blog, but it's hard to try to reach out to people one by one to let everyone know what has happened. The week before Labor Day Ryan found out in a shocking blow that he was suddenly without a job. It was a crushing, devastating tidbit of information. I'm trying to choose my words carefully here, what happened to us was unbelievable, and understanding the situation is quite difficult at best, but suffice it to say it was due to Corporate Restructuring.

We have been madly at work networking, (one reason for blogging about this), applying, interviewing, and so forth. We have found many good leads.
We have seen many blessings in this process, mainly in the support and love which our family and friends have shown us. We are so grateful for everyone who has gone out of their way to help us, to pray for us and to show their support in many ways that I cannot even begin to name them all.
We are blessed. I know that our Heavenly Father is in charge, that He knows us and loves us. He will help us learn what we need to, and will help end up where we need to be. I do not doubt His love, and I am so grateful for the peace He brings to my life.
We'll keep you updated as we learn more. Thanks again for your love and support.

We had birthday celebration #2 with our other friends, Livvy's best friend Maddie, her parents and older brothers. (It's so fun to come up with ways to avoid identifying information). We had them over for a BBQ and the kids played and played then we had cake and ice cream. Maddie gave Livvy some cute Snap'n Style dolls. We really are liking those. They are fun to play with and also make good church toys. We had so much fun. It's always good to celebrate your birthday more than once. What would be the fun in having it only last one day. I mean, I think it should be the whole month you celebrate for, right? (I mean as long as you only get presents once, just bring on the friends and the cakes).

Happy Birthday to Olivia

We had a BBQ at our friend's house. They had cheese balls, and Olivia absolutely LOVED them.

Olivia was swimming with Larisa and her friend Christina.
Here's Luke!

Olivia got some Snap'n Style dolls. She had a lot of fun with them, especially putting their shoes on them. Livvy is all about shoes!


Happy Birthday Cake

I Love Cake!
Candles...scary!
We had a lot of fun. I can't believe my baby is 2. It doesn't seem that long ago that she was itty bitty in our arms. One thing that is for certain, is that she is such a blessing to our family and we are very glad she is ours forever. Happy Birthday sweet girl. We love you!