Our Crazy Life

At the beginning of January we started applying for different travel positions. The ones that had the pay we were comfortable taking were few and far between. We applied for a couple high paying jobs as well as some that were a little lower. After we'd apply our recruiter would find out that the positions would be filled. It was so frustrating that Jesse didn't get so much as an interview.

One night we were talking and Jesse mentioned that there was a permanent position available at the hospital he had been working at the past year that he was thinking he should maybe apply for. It was a charge nurse position doing the same job that he had been learning since he was put on light duty; a position he would have had no experience with had he not hurt his arm. He decided to apply to that as well as to continue to look for other travel positions.

The weekend he after he applied, we went to the temple to get guidance on what we should do. We both felt strongly that we were supposed to stay. We felt so much peace at making that decision and, although he hadn't been offered the job yet, we knew he would get it.

The very next Wednesday, we still hadn't heard back from the job but Jesse got a call that a member of the stake presidency wanted to meet with us that evening. We were both thinking that they were calling him into the Elder's Quorum presidency. We were both shocked when he was called as the first counselor in the Bishopric. Everything we had gone through for the past couple months completely made sense and has strengthened our testimonies to see the Lord's hand in our lives.

The next day he was offered the job. The pay they offered was better than what their staff nurses were making but it was still going to be quite a bit lower than what he had been making as a traveler. After he hurt his arm, the vice president of safety for all of Sutter Health emailed him thanking him for what he did. Jesse contacted him and was able to get a reference which allowed Jesse to get and extra $2 and hour.

We have seen so many blessings in our lives the past couple months and Jesse is looking forward to serving with Bishop Doman and Brother Sill.

Valentine's Day 2018

I usually get pretty spoiled on Valentine's Day. If Jesse ever were to forget (which he's only done once and before we had kids) Atreyu would be sure to remind him. He makes sure that they get something for his mom. Jesse and I gave the kids each a little toy and a small box of chocolates. I really didn't think Jesse and I were going to get anything for each other this year but I called one night when I was at the store to make sure and Jesse said he was planning on getting me something. I grabbed him a few yummy chocolates and some packs of Magic cards.

The evening before Valentine's Day Jesse took the kids to the store. When they got back they told me that they were sorry but all the adult Valentine stuff was gone and they couldn't get me anything. I would look into Cambria's eyes and ask her if everything really was gone and she would say yes and quick look away thinking I couldn't see her smile. When my back was turned, she would give Jesse a thumbs up and smile. She's not the best liar (thankfully).

Since I was under the impression that I was getting nothing, I was pleasantly surprised the next morning with flowers, chocolates, and valentines. I'm such a lucky wife and mother to have the family I do.

Bye, Bye Beard

Jesse has had a beard or a goatee for a long time. I honestly thought he would have one forever. I actually really liked his beard when he kept it trimmed. Since he was put in the bishopric he knew he needed to shave it off. I think we were all a little sad to see it go but we've gotten used to it. Here he is in the middle of shaving.

He likes to tease me when he's shaving saying that he's going to leave his beard in weird styles.  Thank goodness he didn't keep this one. I'm not a fan.

Balloon Animals and Pokemon

We like to go out to eat at Texas Roadhouse occasionally. The last time we went, there was a guy tying balloon animals. We weren't going to get any at first and then we saw his work and it was amazing. We let the kids each get one. Cambria wanted a pink kitty (naturally) and Atreyu chose a black, red, and blue dragon. They turned out great and the kids loved them.

Earlier that day, Atreyu had an assignment stating that "Wocnix" was a made up word. It asked the kids what they would think a Wocnix would be. Atreyu said it sounded like a Pokemon and the picture he drew of it looked almost like the balloon dragon he got later in the day. The similarity was crazy.

Outside Fun in February

We live in a pretty large RV Park but there is also a lot of land around it that used to be a golf course. We took Diesel and the kids on a walk through the old course and even though we could still see and hear some of the noise from the freeway, it was still a little escape from having people right next to you. As per usual, I hardly took any pictures but Cambria wanted me to get a picture of her by a tree with her stuffed tiger.

I love winter and we've all missed having snow since we've been in California but it's pretty fun when the kids can run through the sprinkler in February. It was an exceptionally warm day but something that would never happen in Idaho. 

We are blessed to live in a pretty nice place here in California but our hearts will always been in Idaho (and Montana).