Friday

So, last Wednesday I had an interview for a design tech position at a kitchen and bath showroom here in town.  I had a lot of mixed emotions going into it.  On Tuesday, I talked to the base about childcare.  It was complicated and more expensive (for parts of it) than we had expected.  The logistics of it all was going to be tricky, but we figured we could work it all out if this job was meant to be.  Not only that, we have family coming in town in a few weeks, then a couple weeks after that, then a CO trip planned for this summer, not to mention Christmas (and any other fall visitors we may get...we have to plan for them too).  In reality, I think I need a 2 day a week job in order for this all to work.

The interview went well, but I was still unsure about going back to work.  Over the next couple of days, I prayed...a lot!  Was this the right thing for our family?  Was the money worth it? (I still didn't know what I'd get paid). Would giving up family time be worth it when people came in town?  Would giving up summer break be worth it?  How could we make the childcare thing work?  (Seriously, it was a headache).  It just wasn't sitting easy with me.  I really do want to work.  I miss it.  But, was working, full time, going to work for us?  So, my natural control freak self, tried to do this all on my own.  I stressed myself out for 2 days straight trying to make it work.  

Friday, I couldn't stay in the house or think about it anymore.  I headed to base to stare at the water.  I never would have thought I was a water person, before living near the water these last 15 years.  I absolutely love seeing the water!  And to have the mountains near the water is a bonus.  I took my camera and sat out there for about 45 minutes (it was actually pretty cold that day).  

 I sat there and just talked to God.  You know what's strange?  God already knows everything that's going on in your head and your heart.  But, for some reason, when you say it in conversation with Him, I realize I am putting it all in his hands.  I am recognizing that I am stressing out.  That I cannot make this decision alone.  That I need him to point me in the right direction or open or close doors that aren't right for me (us).  

And I realized in that moment...that I felt...this job wasn't going to work right now.  That if it was going to stress me out this much, even before they offered me the job, it wasn't that important.  And I told God that I wanted them to call me and tell me they were going to hire someone else.  

(Who would have thought I would have gotten a pelican and a seal in the same picture without even trying?!)

 I went about the rest of my day.  As soon as the kids got off the bus, we headed to rock climbing.  Right at 4:55, the guy I interviewed with, called to let me know they weren't going to consider me further.  He said that they really liked me and thought I would have been a great asset to their showroom, but the owner of the company didn't want someone who was short term (2 years is short term to him).  I thanked him for the opportunity and the interview and hung up.

And you know what?  A huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders.  I immediately felt lighter and I knew that was my (right) answer.  

So...now I will still have time to volunteer and attend school assemblies and go on field trips and plan women's brunches for church and have date days every other Friday when Shawn's off and entertain family and friends when they come for a visit and whatever else I want to do.  

I can go to the water and enjoy this beautiful place we live!

(Looking back towards Camarillo)

 And while I'm a little bit bummed they didn't hire me, I was able to get my resume up to date.  I bought a real work outfit and got the experience of an interview after not working for almost 9 years.  

(Here's a great article about military spouse unemployment, if you're interested)  

(www.military.com/daily-news/2016/05/25/military-spouses-struggle-find-jobs.html)

I was able to see a seal "walk" out on a sandbar in order to get out to the water. It was pretty cool and I wish I could have gotten better pictures.  

On the way home from the beach, I again, marveled at the beauty of all of the green!  This is just around the corner from our house and when we moved here (until just recently) it was just brown dirt.  

So today, I'm not trying to fill out employment paperwork or childcare paperwork.  I'm updating the blog, getting ready to clean the house after a busy weekend.  I'll meet a friend to hike tomorrow and go to the grocery store.  None of which is fun or glamorous or bringing in any money...but is what I'm supposed to be doing right now.  

Green Hills and The Getty

Southern California has received a LOT of rain!  Last week they had their biggest storm in 6 years, dropping 4-10" in some places.  Green is popping up all around.  I cannot even begin to tell you how awesome that is!  I can't find any summer pictures of the mountains from our backyard for comparison, but this picture was from January.... 

And this is from this morning!  

After Shawn and the kids picked me up from the airport Sunday, we headed to The Getty.  We really weren't sure what it was, but had heard we needed to go.  It's an art museum!  We were pretty excited to walk through this place.  It might just be another tourist attraction to take visitor to (if you're into art).  The kids actually did really well too.  Shawn packed up lunch for us and before getting on the tram from the parking lot to the museum, we ate in their garden section.  (P.S.  Amelia ate a pb & Nutella sandwich and Caleb actually ate salad! What?!)

The admission to the park is free.  You just have to pay to park, which cost us $15.00.

The tram rides right along the highway, which gives you a really cool view. 

The architecture of the museum is very cool too.  

 The trees you see in the background are made out of rebar. There's a vine up the middle, which branches out of the top.  I think this would be really cool to try in pots on the porch. 

 Cool view of LA from the grounds (and probably even better on a clear day).

 One of the doors lead out of the museum to this view.  

 Then we looked down and realized it was a walkway with a garden.

 Again, look how green the grass is!

 Shawn and I actually had a good time trying to get the kids interested in art.  We pointed out things to look at and they seemed interested, but were quick to move on :o).  

 We all liked this frowny face bust.

 The detail on this statue was amazing and definitely couldn't be captured by photo.

 We really liked this painting too.  If you look closely, you will notice the statues are coming to life.

 Twirling in a big room

 We had a really great afternoon at The Getty and we will be sure to go back.  We didn't even make it through the whole thing!

Sweet Silas

This last week was a whirlwind!

Two days after Silas was born, we found out that he had a heart defect (TAPVR) and would have to have open heart surgery.  Saturday, during the kids' soccer games, I booked a flight and got all loose ends taken care of for the next week (which meant, I didn't really watch either game).  I got to IN Sunday night and surgery was scheduled for 7:00am the next morning.  

I am reading a book and just happened to read something that really stuck out to me.  We think there are big prayer requests and small prayer requests.  But no prayer goes unheard by our God!  Nothing is too big or too small for Him to handle.  

J.I. Packer writes, "The prayer of a Christian is not an attempt to force God's hand, but a humble acknowledgement of helpless dependence."  The author of the book I'm reading goes on to say, "If there is a prayer pounding in your heart, pray it. God is honored by our confession of dependence on and our hope in him."

Surgery went amazingly well!  The surgeon said that he wished all heart surgeries went that well.  We were able to see him later that afternoon.  This is what his room looked like.  Wires and hoses and machines and monitors.  

Not only was the day after surgery Valentine's Day, but that week was also, CHD Awareness Week. 

Our tough guy.

With each day, he got stronger and better.  It was (and still is) amazing to me just how well and how fast he healed.  

He just happened to be awake one day when I was there.

Well...because the nurse changed his diaper and made him mad, so he woke up:o)

Look at that hair! 

Not only was I there for just the surgery, but to help take care of their other little guy, Braxon.  He is such a character and I loved spending a lot of time with him that week.  

 I even got to watch him and Elise one afternoon....which made me realize just how much I am not used to chasing after toddlers!

I headed home early Sunday morning. I am so glad that I was able to make this trip home.  It is hard being far from family and you especially realize it when there are major life trials.  

Sunday they took the breathing tube out and as of 7am (IN time) this morning,  he has been off oxygen and breathing on his own.  He will be moved to the step down unit today, which is one step closer to going home!

Silas Marshall Nuckolls

The newest member of our family arrived yesterday.

Silas Marshall Nuckolls came into the world at 5:15pm, weighing 8.48 pounds and 21.5 inches long.  

We cannot wait to hold this sweet little boy! 

It is so amazing to think that we now have 9 nieces and nephews!