Back in November we learned that Andy's workplace was more or less going to be shutting down their location in Oregon. We both knew that this would likely happen someday and we began preparing for it. When the news came though, we weren't quite where we needed to be to make some dreams and goals come true. We had faith and we knew that things would work out the way the Lord intended them to.
In December we received an offer to relocate back to Utah, we tentatively accepted the offer as we contemplated what we were really going to do. We both had incredibly mixed feelings about going to Utah. The cost of housing has gone up significantly in Utah and we would not be able to afford to live off of Andy's income alone. We both miss the mountains, we miss our friends, we miss living so close to the temple and we miss all of the family friendly activities that seem so prevalent in Utah. And we miss being close to most of our family members. Yes, I said most. There is one family member that just can't seem to be nice to us and the idea of going back to having to deal with this person on a regular basis was terrifying for both us. After a less than friendly conversation with this person in December we began to feel that Utah wasn't where we should be.
I wrestled with the decision a lot, at times it seemed to consume me. I asked of lot of what if questions. We were blessed to be able to spend some time in the temple to contemplate this big decision-- much thanks goes to those who watched Bubba for us.
I was constantly on my knees in prayer, reading my scriptures and the Church magazines. I knew that we needed God's help and that these were the activities that could bring peace to my mind and soul.
One day while we were discussing our options I told Andy that we could either accept that our fate was Utah or we could make every effort possible to find a job in Oregon. If we didn't find a job in Oregon then we would know for sure that God wanted us in Utah.
For those not familiar with Oregon, Eugene is a college town and there are not very many good paying jobs. We knew that the task before us would not be easy.
We completely revamped Andy's resume, we created an Linked in profile, we drafted a cover letter, we started networking, applying for jobs and following up on those applications.
Before too long Andy started landing interviews. Many nights were spent going over interview questions and planning out what he would wear to said interviews.
Each time he didn't land a job, I would reassure him that there was something better out there for us and that we needed to be patient. Our patience and persistence paid off. After four interviews with one company, Andy landed an amazing job.
It has been stressful trying to complete his exit packet at work-- figuring out how to roll over his 401K, determining what to do for insurance for our family since our insurance with the new employer will not kick in for a few months, etc.
He started his new job this past week and for the first time in a very long time he came home happy from work. He was not stressed or burned out. And for the first time in our married life he will be the sole breadwinner and that is something that he has longed for for years.
We feel so incredibly blessed! We know that the Lord is in the details of our lives and that he is looking out for us.
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| Celebrating Andy's last day at Symantec. |
Bubba has had a series of adventures of his own. He has started saying "yes" and I think he actually understands what it means. He has also figured out how to climb and spin in a circle. He enjoys climbing up the slide at the park and climbing into the dryer.
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| He loves sticking his tongue out right now. |
Amiss the chaos, Bubba developed an eat infection. We took him in to urgent care and they put him on amoxicillin for ten days. On day nine (a Sunday) he developed a rash that looked like chicken pox. He has been vaccinated for chicken pox and I couldn't figure out how he had gotten them.
We put him to bed and I called the doctor the next morning, the soonest I could get him in was in the afternoon. During this time the chicken pox became bigger (the size of a nickel or a quarter) and they began to swell. This was not chicken pox, Bubba had a severe allergic reaction to amoxicillin. The doctor gave me some instructions on how to help him, told me he may get worse and told me what to watch for and sent me on my way.
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| Warning: These photos are graphic, I didn't post the worst ones. |
The next day the swelling was way worse, I felt so bad for Bubba. His eyes, hands and feet were so swollen. And itchy hives covered his entire body. We gave him baths full of baking soda and we lathered his entire body in calamine lotion (including his hair). We were up in the middle of the night checking to make sure he was still breathing and to give him some more allergy medicine.
I took him in to see another doctor as he had previously taken amoxicillin before for an ear infection and had been just fine. This doctor confirmed what the first doctor had said, it was an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. He prescribed a steroid to help with Bubba's swelling.
Today the swelling is mostly gone as are most of the hives. You can still faintly see the hives on Bubba's belly. If that weren't enough, Bubba has begun cutting his molars and he is incredibly grouchy and uncomfortable. We have been up a lot the last few nights. I have a feeling we are going to need to re-sleep train this little boy.
I have spent much of the last six years of my life working with the youth at church. A week ago, I was released from my calling and issued a new calling. This news was both happy and sad for me, I really love working with the youth, they are amazing! I'm going to miss seeing them so often. I hope they know how much I love them.
I have been serving on my neighborhood's H.O.A. Board of Directors. We recently changed management companies and held our annual meeting. I had to re-run for my position on the board, it was a close election but I was re-elected along with those I had previously served with. I am excited for the positive changes we plan to bring to the neighborhood.
We also had a snow day which was really exciting! We got four inches of fluffy, white, beautiful snow. Andy took the day off from work and built a six foot tall snowman named Harold. It doesn't snow very often in Oregon, when it does it's always fun!
We were also able to take a few days to make a quick trip to Washington. We went to Bradley Lake Park, Bubba loved playing on the slide and riding in the toy car.
We went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium with Auntie Megan and cousin Hazel. Bubba loved feeding the goats and squealed with delight each time he would offer them a handful of food. Hazel's favorite thing was the monkeys. Bubba liked to imitate my monkey call-- it was cute!
We also went to Wildwood Park to go walking. Luck wasn't on my side and I stepped in dog poop with my new shoes. It was a tragedy and I nearly cried. Somehow I manage to break in nearly all of my shoes by stepping in poop. We found lots of painted rocks while we were walking though, so that made up for it.
Aside from seeing my family, the highlight of the trip for me was date night. For years now, I have wanted to go trapezing. There are lots of circus training places in Oregon, but none of them offer trapezing lessons. When I found out there was a place to go in Washington I was super excited!
We started the two hour session off with learning how to acrobatics on the floor and then we learned how to fly through the air on the trapeze. I have a fear of falling and try to face it every chance I get. When I looked up at the trapeze my jaw just started to quiver. Standing on the platform, I was super nervous. Before I knew it, I was back on the ground and ready to go again. It was so much fun! Aside from being parents, this was probably the funnest adventure we have gone on. I can't wait to do it again sometime.
