Another Update

Things are happening fast around here. As of Monday, no job prospects. As of yesterday, we're moving to Richland, Washington. It's a great job for Brad, with great benefits, with the same company. We're leaving in less than two weeks. The only drawback is he'll be on probation for the first month or so until they're sure he's the right guy for the job. So, during our month of limbo, Brad will be in Washington, and I'll be in Illinois with the twins. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on my two new nephews!

Update and a Week with my Parents

First of all, Brad is still employed for now, but it's any one's guess as far as how long. We can't apply for anything outside his company until he is officially laid off since they just paid for us to move up here. So, since there aren't any jobs for him here in Anchorage with his company, the jobs he is applying for would require us to move. It's been difficult for me emotionally; we might move and we might not. To make things even more complicated, I've been asked to lead our MOPS group here. I don't feel like I can take it on while I'm in limbo, though. Frustration!

On a totally different note, my parents were here last week and we had a great time. Here's our week in pictures:

On the boardwalk at Potter's Marsh.

Click on the picture above to enlarge it and you'll see the bald eagle in the tree.

A bench at the Saturday Market. (Brad works for CH2M Hill.)

Fun at Chuck E. Cheese, where I took an inordinate amount of time deciding what to spend our accumulated tickets on.

We took a trip to Homer, "the end of the road", in the middle of the week. Here's Homer spit, which we drove on several times and even ate a delicious dinner there with a view one night. It was cloudy and rainy the whole time!

We were able to see the most extreme tides of the year. One morning, we walked along the huge beach during low tide. That afternoon, the water covered the whole thing.

More bald eagles.

Catie and Nick indulging in their new obsession: rock collecting.

Fireweed is plentiful in Alaska. It's called fireweed because it is the first wildflower to come back after a fire. Also, you know summer is almost over when the tops bloom.

An Alaskan rest stop.

The day after our trip south, we headed north to Matanuska glacier. Along the way, we stopped for a short hike to Thunderbird falls.

Matanuska Glacier.

Mom and I walking up to the glacier. It's deceptively far away from the parking lot and enormous! We only explored the very edge.

Standing on the glacier.

It was sad to say goodbye to my parents. The kids had a great time, and I got a little spoiled with all their help. :) Thanks for a great time, Mom and Dad!

Sesame Street is my new old favorite show

I watched Sesame Street when I was little (and not so little, actually) and I was happy when Catie and Nick started loving it too. You wouldn't believe the funny segments they have now. I'm sure they had them when I was little, too, but I didn't get them then, just like Catie and Nick didn't get this one. But they loved it, anyway!



This is another of my favorites.

Drama, Revolts, and Preschool Prayers

Today has been one of those days. We were planning to go to the park, but both kids have runny noses, and I decided to stay in since we were out a lot this weekend.

When I was changing her diaper, Catie announced that she needed to go poo poo. So, I let her get up and go to the potty. The problem was she wouldn't sit still long enough to let it happen. It was obvious that she needed to go, but she kept getting distracted. After at least 30 minutes of running around naked, I put a diaper on her. A half an hour later, I asked her to sit down and she told me she had poo poo in her diaper. Ugh.

I was standing in the kitchen when Catie asked me what I was doing. I told her I was making mac n' cheese. Nicky thought I said Chuck E. Cheese, and suddenly I had a revolt on my hands. How can pasta with fake cheese compare to a pop music singing six foot tall rat? Luckily, I was able to distract them with the promise of cookies after lunch.

Our after lunch conversation went a little like this:

Catie: Mommy, say "amen."

Me: Dear Jesus, thank you for Catie.

Catie: Thank you Catie.

Me: Thank you for Nick.

Catie: Thank for Nick.

Me: Thank you for Daddy.

Catie: Thank for Daddy.

Me: Thank you for Grandmas and Grandpas.

Catie: Thank for Barney.

Me: Thank you for Barney. Amen.

Catie: Amen!

Is it naptime yet?

Too cute!

Cherries

Happy 4th!*

*Honestly, I started this post on the 4th, so I can still call it "Happy 4th", right?

Waiting for the parade to begin, oh so patiently.

I've got some serious hormone issues right now, I think. Tears streamed down my face behind my sunglasses while we cheered the veterans and civil servants as they passed by. Someone please say that the sight of a young man with two metal legs in a wheelchair makes you tear up a little too.

I really missed the St Louis fireworks this year. We ended up watching the Macy's fireworks on tv. Beautiful, but just not the same. The fireworks here in Anchorage didn't start until midnight, one of the disadvantages of long daylight hours.

God bless America!

Uncertain

Turns out the email might not have held the promise that Brad thought it did. We're still waiting for an official word, though. Here in Anchorage, Brad's boss has told us that he thinks he can keep him around for another 2-3 months.

What is God trying to teach us through this? Flexibility? Dependence on Him? Is He working something for our good in the background where we can't see it?

We have to believe and live like it's all of those things. So, we wait. We do our part. And we worry a little bit, but we trust that He knows what He's doing. He hasn't let us down yet.