Un-Enjoyment

Someone once told me that unemployment really translates to unenjoyment and we found that to be the case.

In September 2015, Anthony left his role as Quality Control Specialists at Web.com with my blessing to pursue a career in writing. He's worked off and on for journalistic and some copywriting freelance work but with an inconsistent income and constant requirement to work was looking for the right full time fit.

In February, I made a career move from Autoline where my role had evolved and hours had changed to include Saturdays and 12-hour Friday shifts where I was unable to see Owen before work or after work. I took a position working from home with 'some' travel that evolved to be a lot more travel. It was stressful and very hard work.

We spent the past 12 weeks unemployed, searching, fasting, applying, interviewing, and waiting.  After over 20 interviews and waiting to hear back from some employers for up to 30 days, we have both received and accepted offers.

Anthony will be the Marketing Content & Social Media Producer for Ultimate Survival Technologies. Danielle will be a Production Support Specialist for Accenture at their client site Citi Bank.

We are both so relieved to have these new opportunities in our life and we are so grateful for this. We have set goals and are excited to begin moving forward.

New floors

I treated myself to new floors in the house because after living here 4 years, we haven't done a single renovation or home improvement project. We did vinyl planks in the living room and new carpet in the bedrooms.

'Nanny'

Owen was learning his body parts not too long ago so after bath time when I was getting him dressed and changed into PJs. I told him that what he was touching was his penis.

Then I asked him, "can you say penis?" His response, "nanny, nanny, nanny, nanny." Nanny is the word he uses for banana. I just couldn't help my laughter. He's since gotten it right but I still laugh thinking about him calling it a banana. He's awfully confident.

He Talks

(From March 2016)

Anthony wants me to record all the words that Owen knows. He's learning so fast and soaking everything up like a little sponge. It impresses me how he goes from understanding a word to stringing along phrases and sentences. He's a nonstop talker sometimes, babbling away. I can't wait to see what he'll learn tomorrow.

For now I'll leave you with his current list of words :
Momma
Daddy
I lah you
No
Yes
Aman
Row row
Ball
Doggie
Go
Boo boo (Bruce)
E Yi Yo  (think Old Macdonald)
Hi
Bye
Outside
Foutball
Down set hut
Yay!
All done
Night night

He also had his 18 month appointment recently and is 34 inches tall and 25.4 lbs. He's very healthy too.

Our birthday

Anthony and I just celebrated our 29th and 27th birthdays. My dad was in town and we decided to go to Velocity Airsports sports for our birthday party. It was tons of fun jumping on the trampolines, going through the Ninja Warrior course, and jumping and diving into the foam pits. I even worked up a couple of flips and Anthony fell off on the tightrope over the foam pits. Owen had a blast and his smile was so contagious all of the people there loved him. I was surprised he enjoyed it as much as he did. We had a great turnout with some wonderful friends!

People That Celebrated With Us
Vivian
Lierin
Kelsie
Nathan
Doug
Dane
Mary
Mallory
And Owen

After bouncing, we all went over to Your Pie for dinner followed by dessert at Whit's frozen custard. It was a wonderful birthday celebration even though I spent the morning working. I can't believe this is Anthony and my 8th birthday we have celebrated together.

The week he said, "Amen"

It is hard to know exactly when your baby grows up. It is difficult to know and understand what he is gaining from what you are teaching him. This week he showed me that he is learning about Christ and he shared with me and tender moment during bedtime prayers.

Rocking him to sleep, we've gotten in the habit of saying our evening prayers together and I always start the prayers by addressing,  "most kind and gracious Heavenly Father" and end them with, "in Jesus name, Amen." This week Owen responded to my amen with an amen of his own.

I was surprised, touched, and moved by his sweet innocent response and his understanding of amen.

Quite a few months ago, Anthony was receiving a blessing from the elders and during the blessing Owen wouldn't sit still in my arms but wanted to crawl into his dad's arms. As soon as he was in Anthony's arms,  he calmed down and listened to the words of the elders as they shared a priesthood blessing. Own feel the spirit and that is a powerful thing.

It blows my mind that Owen isn't even 2 years old yet and he can feel the spirit. With the trials that I've experienced lately in my life it is easy for me to lose some of that feeling but I continue to do the things that I know I must do out of habit and principle. When I see the growth of my young son it will shows and reminds me of the why. I stock to the routine even when I feel disconnected because I know Heavenly Father is blessing us. I know that Owen will grow strong in the gospel and I am so grateful for his connection already.