the big 3-0

Next big event was my birthday - I turned the big 3-0. Not really expecting much because were watching every penny since Jeff was out of work. We were receiving our usual paycheck, but we weren't sure how long that was going to last and my birthday was on a Monday - hard to plan anything for Monday. I went to play volleyball as usual and Jeff told me to be home by 11:00, okay fine. I was home by then only to find out I wasn't supposed to leave. Friends were coming to take me to an early lunch. So I missed that, Jeff felt bad, but still there was something up. Usually my friends would give Jeff so much grief for messing that up, but nobody said anything....interesting.

Then I was informed to be ready to go to an early dinner and Angie was going to watch our kids. Okay, pick up Lea, get everyone ready to go and early....(I figured this once I could be early since Jeff complains I'm not ready on time.) He took Lea and Lucas over to the Sorensens, then came back and I had Abbey ready. Asked if he wanted me to come with him and we would just go from there, no he'd do it....really???

Okay, waiting....waiting....waiting....finally we leave. We make it about 2 miles from our house, driving through the river bed (AZ doesn't actually have water in the "river", it's dry with roads) and he was driving 10 under the speed limit, he normally drives 10 over....."Why are you driving so slow?" Said he was thinking about an interview he'd had that day. Fine, but at least drive the speed limit.

He and friends had planned a surprise birthday party for me and he was stalling. We made it back to Sorensens for the kid-free party. They had taken the kids to Haynies for a couple hours so we could eat and play games. So fun! I have really great friends. :)

Picture catch up

I've been informed there are not enough pictures posted to our blog. So be careful what you ask for - here's about 3 months worth of photos. :) Happy viewing! This layout of pictures is not working so well - sorry it's all over the place. Not willing to re-load all the pictures again.

SOCCER: Lea finished soccer (she ended up loving the season and we had a great time at practices and games with our friends). Practice, games, THE TUNNEL after the game, and award ceremony. Lea was the "Best Passer" and everyone got the coolest trophies with a spinning soccer ball!

We've had visitors: my sister and brother-in-law came for a few days. So fun to have them come. For getting good grades and making the "good" Principal's list, Lea chose Panda Express for dinner. She was excited to have Uncle Jim come join us for her special dinner out. Aunt Caryn (my sister) came the next day - I made her play volleyball with me. Always fun! I can't find my pictures of this, but I love having my family come visit and stay with us.

Jeff was traveling for work for 3 weeks to Cincinnati and needed new luggage - this one came with a little red-head!. The first week he was gone, it was our turn for the babysitting co-op we are apart of. I was nervous to have all 14 kids on my own, but they were great and get along great - it's a blast! was the day before Valentine's day. All the kids at the table decorating cookies - it was a huge success. The little ones played together (Abbey and Joseph-18 months) and the aftermath. They are so worn out after these nights - sleep is no problem. Lea is sleeping against the wall on her bed.

My parents came for a week and I always love having them come. My dad is a hard worker and helps us finish our projects that have been left undone for a LONG time - painting, washing the van and more. :) My mom folds our laundry and they both play with the kids all day long. Went to school to watch Lea perform at the morning assembly. They sang "Fifty Nifty" with their 4th grade buddies. The blonde boy is Max Farris - one of Lea's friends. My dad helped Lucas to ride a bike and he now proudly rides a Princess bike - he's strong in his manhood. He rode it to pick up Lea from the bus stop. Lea is a diva in her dress up and taking a breathing treatment.

We went to Vegas the weekend Jeff was laid off. Hoping to win the big bucks!! :) We had a nice date night and the kids enjoyed G&G Risenmay. Although we left their scooters at their house....oops. I didn't remember until we had made it home and were getting to bed...oh well. This bridge makes me ill to look at everytime we make this drive - so do not like heights!! The kids made cupcakes with Grandma Judy, played in the pool and played video games with Jeff - nice to have a happy unemployed daddy to play with for a change. :)

And last but not least - Abbey has her first official pony tail. She looks sort of like a Cupie doll, but she's so dang cute. She's adorable and laughs hysterically at all of us. It's fun to watch her imitate coughing, sneezing, screaming and any other noise we can think of for her to copy.

General Conference - April

Backing up a couple months to April. Jeff was unemployed, we went to General Conference in Salt Lake and met up with my parents. It was supposed to be really cold with a chance of snow, so we rounded up snow coats for the kids from the Bundys and Beckers. THANK YOU!! It snowed lightly Saturday and we walked around Temple Square while Jeff and my parents enjoyed Saturday morning session. Sunday was beautiful. Clear skies and Conference is my favorite time of year - October and April. There was "snow" pushed to the side on Temple Square so we had a "snowball fight".... AZ style. :)

Jeff was laid off from Deloitte - best day ever, that place was sucking the life out of us. Jeff interviewed with Allied Waste on the April 7th. We'll see how unemployment treats us. So far we have LOTS of family time together which is what we were looking for.

 Grandma and Abbey

How big is your foot compared to Joseph Smith's??

 Temple Square Salt Lake City by the Joseph Smith Building

 Grandma enjoying her sudoku and the quiet noises of grandchildren. I love going to Conference with my parents and love my parents dearly.    

Lucas and the job

Lucas is beginning to wonder who this "stranger" is that bums around the house. While he loves his dad, he's starting to ask some very deep questions....: "Daddy go work?" "You goin' to da choech (church)?" (Because if Jeff's not going to work in his 'wuit', then he must be going to the church....)

Today Jeff had an interview and was getting ready to leave. Lucas informed me of this: "Daddy go work, make money." Good to know. :) They had a little chat earlier about why Jeff wasn't at work and why he goes to work.

As a backup plan, Lucas is studying to be a tax accountant. Yes that's a Turbo Tax box and no our taxes have not been filed. I think Jeff is waiting for Lucas to learn to read and count past 12.

And the pink slip goes to.........

JEFF! Thursday, Jeff had an "exit" interview with his boss to inform him of his layoff and fill out papers. Although we knew for several weeks there was a possibility of layoff, it was a bittersweet moment to know a job can end just that quickly. But to see Jeff leave that morning, you would have thought he won the lottery. :) He was happy to be done and it was good to see him happy about work. This past year has been filled with LOTS of late nights, travel for 3 weeks and never-ending stress and barely a day without the laptop open and Jeff's hair sticking up from him pulling it up.

Although we have no offers for a new job, he is still an employee of Deloitte and we have full benefits. But the best part is - he doesn't have to go to work, no more laptop and no more phone calls, emails or notifications on his phone. If I had known we could have had this deal before, I would have asked to have him laid off every 10 weeks. :) All the benefits without the stress - best deal ever! So yes for the next 10 weeks we still have income and health insurance. Hopefully before that we'll have another job and be able to stay in Phoenix.

We are so grateful for our friends and family that have comisserated with us and have offered to help us should it be needed. We have a great support system and love all of you.

I may need something for Jeff to do until he finds a new job, so if anyone else's husband is available for a play date, Jeff is available. :) For now we are enjoying a weekend trip to Las Vegas to see Jeff's parents and having quality family time without the stress of work. Is this what a true vacation is?!

Lea-ism and Luke-inese

Today they both had something profound to say. :)

Lea was telling me about her field trip her class was going on today. They're going to the Children's Museum. "But I've never been there before. I've seen it in my brain." She's very excited to go - afterwards all the Kindergarten classes are having a "Love of reading" party. They each get to bring a pillow and books to read for the last part of the day. She took a small pillow as to avoid sharing and getting headlice again. Lesson learned!

Lucas: On the way home from dropping Lea off at school, we pass our church building. As we're stopped at the light close by, I hear this from the back. "Jedus Whist, Jedus Whist!" I look up to see him pointing at the church with eyes wide.
Me: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lucas: Yeah!
Me: Is that where you go?
Lucas: uh huh, it's COOOOL!