New Job, Career, Life

Glenn had been in the High Tech Industry for 10 years.  Many years it was great.  Towards the end it was a little frustrating for him. An inability to move into positions he felt more suitable for him never materialized. There were major layoffs happening in the Summer of 2011.  Glenn would always say how he hoped and prayed he would get laid off with a severance instead of being forced into quitting by a complete unhappiness with the direction, or lack thereof, his career was headed. 

I was making the kids pancakes when Glenn came downstairs and told me "I am done".  

I was completely in shock.  I couldn't believe that the life we'd had, the job, the stability, the paycheck, the health coverage, was over just like that.

I went to bed that night thinking 'I should be homeless instead of sleeping in my king size bed'.  Isn't that what happens to people without jobs?

I knew Glenn was unhappy.  I knew it was inevitable that his career was going to change.  It just stands to reason that when you're miserable in a job they don't lay you off.  Murphy's law or something like that.  Yes he wanted a change, but it still stung. 

For a few months he joked that he was retired.  But severances don't last forever, and pretty soon he was in full on job search mode.  A small dream in the back of his head was to go into law enforcement.  He went for it and was soon in the thick of the application process, which in law enforcement means picking apart your entire life, friends and family.  No stone is left uncovered.  Every bad choice you ever made is put on the table.  Luckily for Glenn he has always been an upstanding guy and had nothing to hide.

During this time he also started a successful Construction Management Company with a good friend.

Months went by.  Then a year.  Glenn went for interviews, meetings, was turned down, more applications, tests, physicals, tons of paperwork, and round and round it went.

Last month, after almost 2 years of this process, Glenn was hired by the San Diego Sheriffs department.

When he was laid off from Cisco he said "I'll never work in High Tech again".  Apparently he meant it.

He is excited beyond belief to be entering into a career where he will interact with others.  Do good.  Be physical.  Better his community.

I think it's a perfect fit for Glenn.  He decided to follow his heart with this career, and at 40 years old he made it.

He has spent more time than a supermodel getting his hair cut, recut, shorter, shaved.  Workouts have been stepped up, uniforms washed, ironed, folded.  Shoes shined till they're mirrors, gear in order,  making room in his closet for a ton of new work clothes, and of course mentally preparing for this new career ahead of him.

Heraclitus is credited with saying "The only thing that is constant is Change".

I concur.

Helloooooo Savers!

So we got a new thrift store here.  Actually it's in the next town over, but still really close.  I was hurt I wasn't on the VIP list for the grand opening, don't they know who I am?  Guess not.  But maybe I don't deserve to be because it's taken me a whole month to go and check it out.  I had other things to do today, but it just felt right, and shopping as we all know has to be done when you're feeling it, so today was the day!

In the picture above - This dress is stunning!  Thrift stores should be thrifty, but I've seen dresses like this go for $20 and up, so I was delightfully surprised when this "Samantha" dress as Lila calls it was only $4.  I got it for dress up or Halloween but Lila said she wanted to wear it to church.  Great!  I am all for putting on the fancy at church.

Ethan is in dire need of new church clothes.  We got him some slacks from Target but Glenn was unimpressed with their selection of shirts.  I took a chance on this purple shirt hoping Glenn would like it for Ethan, he did!  $4.  And for the record there was no way I could talk Ethan into putting on the rest of his church clothes for the picture.  I barley got him to take the picture.

I LOVE my outfit.  I picked up the shirt, put it back, then later had to go find it.  It's not fitted and I am not a big fan of tucking shirts in, but I couldn't shake it & paired with these pants that I adore, it goes so great.  Shirt $5, Jeans, $2.50  (half off).  Seriously, how great is the waistband on those jeans?  In love.

The linens were calling my name as I am always excited to see if there's any quilts I can score for a deal and then pretend I made them.  There were no quilts, but the book section was stocked and I found a few the kids would love, 69 cents each.

Ethan's been busy reading the Brain Busters Book, my kids love riddles.  The kids will be sucking on their popsicles as Ethan throws out riddle after riddle and we all rack our brain trying to come up with the answer, it's the best fun.  The only hard part is not yelling the answer when I know it, but kids kind of don't like that.  I am only allowed to answer after they see the answer.  But usually I know it, then I feel super smart and they think I am smart and everyone wins.  For the record this means a lot to me in Emry's presence.  It is rare I know something she doesn't, so to impress her is downright awesome!

I am forever putting cookies out on the same white oval platter, so I've been keeping a lookout for some fun new serving dishes for bars and cookies, these 2 fit the bill.  I also got some small, food storage containers.

The platters were $3 each and the containers $2 each.  Not the deal of a lifetime, but pretty good.

Last but not least I found Lila a pair of skinny jeans.  Her pair from the beginning of the year are worn out (she likes her skinny jeans).   It's always a risk when you're buying things that can't be returned, but luckily these fit and Lila loves them.  $4.

 Grand total - $35.70.  Not my best effort, but everything I bought I needed.

Yes, my new outfit was a need.  Sometimes the line between need and want is extreeeeeeeemely thin.  Right?

Right?

A Year in the Making

Judging by how much attention Ethan gets for his hair, then yes, blondes do have more fun.  When he was little it was white, and now it's just stayed super blonde.  People always comment and ask where he gets it and I just say with a straight face it's because he's an angel. 

As fun and cute as it is having his hair long, there's actually a legitimate reason we haven't cut it in a year.  And that reason is 'Crazy Hair Day'.

Last Year Ethan had long hair as well and cut it into a Mohawk and got so much attention he wanted to do the same thing this year.

I had crazy hair day on my calendar for weeks.  I was so excited to cut off all those locks.  But literally moments before we were going to shave his head Lila says that crazy hair day was canceled.  What?  I called some friends and sure enough it was.  Hence the long hair on his baptism day.  After all this time he wasn't about to cut it before crazy hair day.

So as we're getting ready for school this morning my sister calls and says that TODAY is crazy hair day.  Say What?   I was chaperoning Ethan's class on Monday to Legoland.  I was sick yesterday, and I guess my kids didn't get the memo because we ran around like chickens with our heads cut off this morning shaving heads (Ethan's cousin Nathan's as well) making Mohawks high with hair spary, running to Walmart to get said hair spray. Spraying on color and taking pictures.

But we made it.  Kind of.  Walmart doesn't carry the hair spray that Glenn's prefers for this feat, but we made do with some gel.

And poor Lila, she had to make do with a few pony tails and some spray color as we spent most of the time on Ethan.

Enjoy your Cool Punk Rock status while it lasts Ethan and Nathan, cause it's all coming off today!  Love you little Crazies!

* A Huge thank you to those of you who talked me off the ledge of no comments and made me relax with the whole issue.  Seriously, thank you, I appreciate it a ton.  The words of wisdom are heard, noted and being put into place.

No Comment

I've started a journal at least a dozen times in my life.  A dozen times I've stopped.  When I started blogging it was just little things here and there, snippets of our life.  But the more comfortable I became with it, the more open I became about the reality of my life, reflecting in more honest posts that dig a little deeper into this here home we've created.

It was always my intention to create memories for my kids.  Let them know how I feel about them and life in general as well as let family and friends in on our life.

But as it goes with blogging you create friendships and acquaintances. It's been fun and great but at the same time stresses me out a bit.  Do I have time to comment back to all the comments I receive?  Are they going to be sincere?  Do I even want to? 

And if no then why not just put pen to paper and stop blogging altogether?

There is something I truly love about blogging.  I love weaving our life into a story with pictures.  I love how connected I can stay with those I don't see or even talk to.  Friends I grew up with, family I rarely see, and new friends I've made here. Plus, this is the most success I've had documenting my life, ever!

But the comments.  Aaargh, the comments are killing me.  I love them but it's too time consuming at this time in my life.  I feel my focus needs to be elsewhere.  On studying, on creating, on learning and growth.

More time to annoy the neighbors with the music channels 'Pop Hits' turned up full blast while dancing with the kids.  Less time at the computer.

Sometime I feel myself holding back because I don't want pity, applause, whatever.  I want to put myself out there, I want those interested to read for enjoyment, to learn, or just to laugh at me and my mistakes.  But I don't want you to feel obligated to feel the need to come up with something to say.  This is my life.  My kids.  My heart.  It's too close to me to bear someone throwing out a few words hoping to get a follower, or wondering if my comment is just another tally mark, that's not what I am about. 

This doesn't mean I don't care or am not invested in you.  It just means I need freedom.  Freedom to blog when I want, what I want with no pressure on either of our sides.

I've gone back and forth, back and forth and I think the only thing that will truly work for me, give me the truest sense of freedom is if I turn off all comments.

Our family has some Big, small and I am sure unexpected changes coming up in the very near future.  I am excited to see what happens. Maybe these changes have pushed me to make some changes in my own personal life.  This is the first step, and I have many more to go.

I'll still check in on you.  You're my friends, and I appreciate all the inspiring words I've read and will continue to read. 

Veganize Me

I actually don't like the term Vegan.  It implies all things taken out of your diet, I much prefer the term Plant Based diet.

I changed my eating habits literally overnight, (although I was a vegetarian for most of my 20's).  I didn't see a movie or read a book, I just woke up one day 2 months ago and knew things had to drastically change with my diet.  I believe in the saying that when you do the same thing you get the same results.

I need different results.  I want to heal my arthritis.

Do I think this will do the trick?  I don't know, but I am willing to try.  If anything it will be good for my body regardless.

This was not hard for me.  At all.  I eat pretty healthy on a day to day basis.  Lots of vegetables and fruit.  Grains and lentils.  Nuts and seeds.

Truth be told dairy sneaks it's way in in the form of a handful of chocolate chips, a salad I've been given that has some cheese in it, or bread that's been made with a bit of milk.

I have no desire to eat meat.  I also have no desire to eat processed dairy & meat substitutes.  The whole point of me eating this way is to eat fresh, whole foods.

But I also will not bring it up when I am a guest in someone's home if there is dairy in my food.

So obviously I am not die hard, but I would say it's in the high 99 percentile of no dairy.

So basically I've been carbo-loading.  I know it's totally uncool and the opposite of what everyone else is doing, but it feels right for me.

Baptism

Ethan Glenn Wallwork was baptized this past Saturday, April 13, 2013.  In the Latter Day Saint Religion you are baptized when you are 8 years old into the church.  Ethan has seen his dad baptize both his sisters and was so excited to participate in this sacred ordinance himself and become a member of our church.

It was a special day for our family.  Glenn's parents and two of his sisters drove down from Fresno to be here with us.  My family was also in attendance along with a few close friends.  Glenn's sister Amy gave a talk on baptism, Lila gave a talk on confirmation, and Emry and Lila sang a song.  It was simple & perfect.

 clockwise from top left: Glenn's sister Amy, her husband Dave & Ethan - Ethan & I - Jeannette and her family with Ethan, with Lila trying to photobomb the shot - Ethan & his cousins Nathan & Drew

After the baptism it was time to EAT!

Quinoa Salad with dates, sweet potatoes, pine nuts and feta, Roasted Chicken, -  Ceasar Salad,  Mexican Salad, - Artichoke dip, Cowboy Caviar - There was also a fruit plate & banana bars (unpictured)

And the rolls deservedly get their own photo.  What's better than fresh from the oven rolls?  Nothing.

The kids with Glenn's parents Lanny & LoRane Wallwork.  I know, this shot is fantastic.  That's what I get for taking it as my kids are rushing off to school.  But at least I got a picture of them which is more than I can say for Karen, Glenn's sister.

She took time off from work and hauled her 2 little boys down here to be with us and I am so grateful she did.  Karen is one of the kindest people on the planet and leaves you wanting to be a better person yourself.

Thank you to our family and friends for supporting us, loving us and being such great examples on a day to day basis of how to be better, live better, do better.  We love you all.

And to you Ethan, always remember Your Savior loves you and is there for you.
I love you too love you more love you the most nonstop google infinity dot com to eternity neverending story.

Sibling Rivalry

      Kyle (34)     Nielsen (41)     Marie (39)     Jeannette  (43)

This is me with 3 of my 8 siblings. There are 9 of us total.  I have to clarify and say that my youngest brother Tommy died when he was only a few months old, but I can't bear to not include him whenever I put a number on us.  Therefore I have 2 older sisters, 2 older brothers, and 4 younger brothers.  I am smack in the middle.  I didn't even realize I was the middle child until a few years ago.  Honestly it just wasn't something I ever thought about.  I was always the youngest girl, or the youngest of the first set of kids (after me there is a large gap of 4 years before Aaron came along).

While the kids played all Spring Break there was plenty of time for the adults to sit around the table and reminisce about our shared childhood.  At one point my brother Kyle laughed and said how as a kid I always bit him.  What!  It must be selective memory on my part because I don't remember that.  But I do remember getting frustrated with the four little boys who wouldn't help me with chores, who broke my barbies and who I had to care for, watch over, clean up after, and put up with.  So thinking back now, I am sure he's right.

I am sure I am not alone in wishing I could go back and have a re-do.  I wish someone would have told me those little boys would be my best friends and biggest supporters when I grew up. To just wash the dishes with a smile on my face instead of whining how unfair it was that they wouldn't help me.  That when they told me the cute boy I was in love with was no good for me they weren't trying to spoil my fun, only trying to save me some tears.  That even though our lives took us on very different paths, our hearts would always be aligned.  That love in This Family can be stretched until the brink but would never ever break.

I know that now.  And I love them all more than I could ever put into words.