God's pretty cool

I know. Its been FOREVER and this is picture-less...but I do have good news to report. There as been interest in my book by miltary bases...we'll see how that goes...

I was so efficient at work that the less efficient gal was dismissed and now I have both jobs! Just started my promoted position today and man am I exhausted, however, I wasn't the least bit bored because I was becoming so, not a good sign after only two months on the job. I do feel a bit bad that my anally organizational skills and efficiency (please let it be known this only applies to my work environment...my home environment organization has deteriorated due to my working)caused someone to be canned, but regardless, I was pleased because the extra in my pay will pay for my kids and the counseling they have started.

And THAT is why God is pretty cool. Because everything happens when it should with God.

Keep ya posted on the book news...nothing yet...

Dorris Ranch

We went to Dorris Ranch, a filbert (hazelnut) orchard and forest beside the McKenzie River. We had a blast exploring and running thru the orchards, throwing rocks in the river. A bit chilly, but lovely. Here are pics to enjoy (the extra kid is one of izsak's best friends, gabe).

EMPLOYMENT!

After four months of searching, I have finally found employment. My official title is "sales coordinator". Initially I shall just be assisting the main sales position with coordination of all the various information between clients and agencies. There is a lot I shall be learning and am totally looking forward to having something to think about and organize. It's sad. But I do so love to organize! :) Granted, God has blessed me with a borderline nepotism job. My very good friend Heather's husband (he's my friend too) Chad co-owns the business. The position became available and they thought of me. It was indeed a weird, blessed week! Last week I had my first real interview after months of nothing with the school district here for a temp job. That afternoon I get a call saying from a doctor's office asking if I'd come in on Monday for an interview. I went. Monday afternoon I get a call from a collection agency about an entry level legal aid position. Yesterday (Tues) I return the call but no response. But then yesterday afternoon my friend Heather calls and tells me of the position at Chad's work. I contact Chad, he gets back to me and the interview was today at noon. By 8pm Chad emails and I'm hired! I prayed God would only have the job I was meant to have be the one offered so it was plainly obvious where he wanted me to be. It's a very flexible and incredibly fun place to work (I've already heard the awesome things Chad and his partner Jeff have done for their employees and been so envious). I am truly super excited for this new chapter!

ryenn's talent show

Ryenn had her talent show last week and she ROCKED. she did "mad world". i just had to giggle because my 8 yr old is singing such a sad but beautiful song. the instrumental version my brother made, while i thought was wonderful, she just couldn't keep in time with and the same happened with the "karaoke" version off itunes. so, that afternoon before the talent show as she cried out of frustration and fear of not being able to sing with the music i suggested she sing it acapella (sp?). and that she did. and my lovely talented daughter stays on key the whole time. the video is off izsak's phone so its not the greatest and he wasn't the most still. and he ended up having to delete something real quick to fit the whole song, so there's a pause and it resumes in the second video posted. enjoy!

on the eve of veteran's day

I'm feeling pretty bitter this particular veteran's day eve. the vet we're associated w/ is floudering so badly he's acting extremely out of character the last couple months and has caused turmoil and pain to his wife and children. but this is not the government's fault. it's his. he refuses counseling and drinks to quell the effects of his ptsd. its just easier.

and so here i am, separated from my husband while i desperately look for a job and am told today that even a temp agency isn't able to help me because i haven't worked in the last couple years. "what have you been up to since 2001 then?" and i told her. i was a stay at home mom who got a ba in history and wrote a children's book about ptsd based on my experiences. she was kind enough to suggest some other temp agencies that hire "entry level" clerical positions. it's just sooo frustrating and discouraging and so totally disheartening to the point of tears that the general public just DOESN'T UNDERSTAND the sacrifices made by the SPOUSE of a disabled vet. that when that spouse has to suddenly find herself a job, the fact that she went to school, raised two kids and was a part-time caregiver to a disabled vet doesn't matter. doesn't count as any sort of work. the vets and disabled vets have a nice little box they can check stating they are such things. but there is nothing for the SPOUSE of the disabled vet to check. that she hasn't just been sitting on her ass the last 8 years. there's no special treatment for the spouse. there SHOULD be. yes...i feel there should be! we make ample sacrifices that are completely taken for granted....

done venting for now. but still upset. maybe someday i'll figure out a way to change things.

halloween 2009

So, it was a pretty low-key halloween here...as a disclaimer, the photos were taken w/ cell phones...i thought the length-wise pic of izsak was in focus and megan (ryenn's best friend aiden's mom) has a new phone she's still figuring out, so some of her pics a bit blurry too.

izsak was a post-apocolyptic raider or something like that...that's why he's all dirty w/ dirt and blood. he was invited to go to a halloween party and trick or treating w/ a bunch of friends from school and that's what he did.

miss ryenn was a vampire and she was invited to go trick or treating w/ aiden (that's his little sister ava w/ them) and spend the night.

look at ava copying everything ryenn does. :)

ryenn wore my high-heeled black boots and to my astonishment they didn't seem to look too big on her and upon inspection w/ our feet together found that my big toe is only an inch longer than her's. for heaven's sake that girl has big feet. :)

anyways...the only kids to come to my door were the ones brought by izsak. very slow going on our dark street. so i just got me a couple movies (not scary ones) at blockbuster and enjoyed the time alone. :)

a bite

Received a letter yesterday from a subsidy of the Macmillian publishing company saying they'd like to see a copy of my book for consideration! its been sooo quiet on all the various book fronts i got going on i was feeling discouraged. and right now in my life, this little bit of encouragement is so appreciated! God's timing is perfect. :) and while i know they may decide not to publish it, at least a copy has been requested! so exciting!