Interviews

Jeremy got back last night around 11:30 from Indiana. His interview with Biomet went really well. It is in Warsaw. He really likes the town and the company. He felt pretty good about it and they will let him know something in a few weeks. He also said that I would like the town a lot. It is a smaller town...for those who know Lawrence, KS, he said it is about half the size of Lawrence. Nice size. It has a Super Walmart and Kohls...what more could I ask for?? :)
This morning, we left at 7:00 am for the airport again. Jeremy flew out to Michigan for an interview with College Park Industries. He is there until Friday. 3 day interview. I spoke to him briefly tonight and he said that it is an interesting interview. The gentleman who flew him out actually told him that he isn't even sure if they have a position for Jeremy yet. I am a bit confused by this, why would they spend the money to bring him out for 3 days if they don't even have a position?? But, Jer said that maybe if this guy likes Jer, he'll find a job for him. We'll see. Something will happen.

As for me...I'm hanging in there. It is hard with 2 little ones, that is for sure. I am sitting here typing when I should be folding laundry, doing dishes, and doing some good cleaning. But, I want to drink my chamomile tea and then knit and watch tv.

Seth said the funniest thing today - my friend Nicole came over with her daughter Eve. Seth usually plays "Grandma and Grandpa" with Eve's sister, Aurora. But, today Aurora was at preschool. So, Seth settled for Eve. He kept saying, "Grandma and Grandpa are coming over". Then he finally said, "Mom, Greg and Marge are here". I started laughing so hard. He was Greg and Eve was Marge. Greg and Marge are Jeremy's folks. He is such a nut. I had to call him Greg for the longest time. Then, he saw the cow costume my Mom bought him and had to wear it. From then on he was Cowie...oh, until we saw Aurora tonight, then he was Grandpa Cowie. What a silly boy.

He's gone!

Jeremy left yesterday for his first interview. We dropped him off at the airport around 2:30 and by 4:00 Seth had already broken my glasses! It wasn't really his fault...but they're broken anyway! Luckily I have another pair. I don't like them as much, but they work.

So, Jeremy's schedule is this: today from 10-2:30 he has interviews every half hour with an hour break for lunch. Then he's done. He will be home late tonight (around 11) and then back at the airport tomorrow morning at 7:30!

Seth asked for Daddy this morning. He's so cute and so attached to his Daddy. We have said many times that it is going to be hard on him when Jeremy gets a job and isn't home to play with him all the time. I guess this week is good practice for him.

Melissa, Jeremy's sister, came to visit this weekend. Man, it was nice to see her. We always have such a good time together. I taught her to knit, I really hope it sticks.

Well, I better hop in the shower before Amelia wakes up and while I know that Seth is entertained (thank you Higgly Town Heroes!)

Oh boy...

So, Seth doesn't think I know how to cook. It's not that I don't...I just don't. I can cook but I don't have to. Jeremy is an excellent cook and makes dinner every night. I am normally nursing Amelia at that time, so that is how he helps. So, my sweet son thinks that we are not eating at all when Daddy is gone next week.
Here is my grocery list for what we need next week - frozen pizza, ice cream, brownies, (those are for Mom's sanity), and mac and cheese. We will also have some chili that is in the freezer...and we'll probably go out to eat twice while he's gone. As long as I have the staples we'll be good! :D

He's going to Kill her!

Yep, that's Seth! The child jumped on Amelia today! She was in the bouncy seat and he jumped on her. Oh my goodness. What am I doing wrong with this child that he feels no remorse whatsoever for doing that? He really loves her and just plays way too hard with her. I am pretty frustrated with him today.

On a better note...Jeremy is going to be gone this week. He leaves tomorrow afternoon for Warsaw, IN and has interviews all day (literally) on Tuesday. He gets back here around 11 on Tuesday night and has to leave on Wednesday morning for Michigan. He'll be back on Friday night. We are really excited. And really praying that something comes of these interviews. Please pray for us....we can't do this much longer without a job.

Stuff

So, I've decided to start a blog just for my knitting adventures. This way people who want to know about our family don't get bored with my knitting. Not that I think anyone would get bored with knitting (hello, how could you??), but just in case.

So, a few things I never thought I'd hear come out of my mouth...
"Seth, get OFF your Sister!"
"No Seth, you do not have milkers, please stop trying to nurse your sister."
"Get your hands out of Amelia's pants, Seth! Your toys are not in there!"

Oh the joys of my son! He really does love his sister..sometimes just a little too much. My friend Nicole put it perfect when she said about her daughters, "Aurora will love Eve to death...literally". This is what will happen here.

Oh, and can I say how much I love Amelia? She was asleep and I woke her up to change her diaper and put on her pajamas. She was just so happy, so I laid her on the floor on her play gym. She was playing and giggling...I just looked over and she is sound asleep. She is such an easy baby!!!

I will be posting new pictures of the hooligans on our website tomorrow (hopefully). If you don't have the password and want it, send me a quick email. They are getting big!!

SOCKS!

I am DONE!!! I finished my second sock last night! Oh man they are warm and comfy! I'll put a picture of them up soon. I really don't know why I didn't do socks earlier. Hand knit socks are just SO divine!
I am now going to start some socks for Jeremy. Think, Rock Chalk Jayhawk! Yep, they will be crimson and blue! I have lots of projects to do right now. I am making bags for friends for Christmas, socks for various people, and I am in a scarf exchange. So...I have LOTS to knit. Just not a lot of yarn.
Now, an update on the job search. The week of October 9th, I will happily be a single Mom! Jeremy leaves on the 9th for Indiana. He gets back on the night of the 10th, and then leaves again on the morning of the 11th for Michigan. He will be back late Friday night. We are really excited.
If we ended up in Michigan, we'd be by Detroit. That would be a lot of fun. I've read some really great things about that area, so we are stoked! It's a pretty small company. Jeremy hasn't even had a phone interview with them. So, we think they're pretty serious.
Also, a recruiter called Jer yesterday wanting to present him to a couple different companies. One is in Florida. Ooh, I could handle that!

I'm Domestic.

It's true. I've tried to deny it for a long time now. I don't cook, I hate to clean...about all I do is laundry and even that takes me all week to finish.
However, today, I've put all of that to rest. I washed diapers, washed (some) of our mountain of laundry and...ahem...canned 5 bottles of peaches and made 12 jars of jam (or maybe syrup...we'll see). I am pretty dern proud of myself.
I also have finished one sock (YIPEE!!!) and am cruising right along on the second sock. I would be closer to being done, but I had to tear out the heel. It wasn't just perfect, so I need to redo it.
I'll post pictures eventually...but right now I'm too tired!

Indiana

Here we go. Jeremy flies out of here on October 9!!! He has his interview on the 10th and will fly back home that night. I am SO freaking excited! This company is his first choice and he just interviewed with them last Friday. Oh, and there are at least 3 positions open!!!! Please pray for us!!!!

Socks and stuff

Oh boy, socks are fun to knit! I love socks!! I am not done yet with my first one...I want it perfect. So, I have ripped it out several times. Well, not really ripped it out (that would mean I had to start over!), but I tinked (Knit backwards). I had it done the other day, but when I put it on, I didn't like the toe and it was a bit too short. Nothing worse than a short sock...well, maybe a wet sock :)

I went to the yarn store this weekend with 2 of my friends. Lori is making a really cool scarf and needed some yarn. Nicole wants to learn to knit, so we got her yarn and needles. It was so fun! I am not buying any yarn right now (hello restraint!!!), so I had fun living vicariously through my friends! I have decided though on my projects when I have yarn money again. I am going to get some baby alpaca (OH how soft!!) and make myself some socks and maybe a scarf. I am also wanting to make myself a poncho, socks for the kids and some socks for Jeremy. I found some BEAUTIFUL yarn that is crimson and blue (KU colors!!!) that I will make some socks and a scarf for my dear husband. If you didn't know, he has a thing for KU ;)

Now an update on the children. Seth is actually calling me Mama sometimes. Oh wait, he just informed me that "You are not Mom, you are Jack!". This is from one of his favorite books, "I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track". I am Jack, he is Ant and Jeremy is Train. It really is funny. He's taken to calling Amelia "Little Mommy". It really is hilarious. This morning we got in the car to go to the store and he wanted to sit next to Amelia to "nurse her real quick". He cracks me up!!!

Amelia is doing great. She is just such a happy baby. She reminds me a lot of Emma. Very laid back (which is a HUGE blessing after having Seth!!!) and just so happy. She gets mad if she's hungry or poopy (or if Seth is attacking her)...but really she is easy and fun!!!

Jeremy just got a call from Biomet in Warsaw, IN and they want to bring him in for an interview the week of October 9th!!! He isn't home yet, so he doesn't even know! :D I am just thrilled! Please pray that he gets this job. We would LOVE to live in Indiana. It would be close to both our folks, the cost of living is fantastic and...it's a JOB! :D:D:D

Now, other Moms will understand this. Today, I ventured to the craft store with my children in tow. Why do I do this to myself and them? As I was walking the aisles of Robert's Arts and Crafts, I heard several other Mothers saying things such as; "I'm going to count to 3 and you better be over here! 1...2...3!", and "Put those stickers DOWN!"and "PLEASE Seth, do not touch the candles". Why do we do this to ourselves? Why, why, why do we take our children to the craft/yarn/fabric store? I remember as a child, my little brother begging NOT to go to the fabric store with my Mom. In fact, he despised it SO much that we just had to tell him we were going to the fabric store if we didn't want him to come! ha! I attempt to take Seth to the yarn store and craft stores with me. It never ends pretty. From this time forth, I will either A. leave him home with his Dad or with friends, or B. go when Jeremy is home...or maybe C. leave him in the car! HAHAHA!!!

Fall

I love fall. I love the beautiful change of colors in the trees, the wonderful respite from the scorching summer heat; I love fall. I don't love winter though. I detest winter. I wish that it could be fall and spring year round.
Today it has been cool. I got to break out some of Emma's clothes for Amelia to wear. Today she is wearing a sweatsuit that Emma wore ALL THE TIME. I love to see her in it. It barely fits her though. She is really such a big girl :) All that Mama Milk!
I am ready for cool days where we can go to the park and walk with my babies. I love it!!! Hooray for fall!

Jeremy had an interview with Biomet today. It went really well. He said that they were trying to get through everyone as fast as they could so they could get this hiring done. He should know something by the end of next week. Jeremy really wants this job. I mean really. He has researched the company and feels pretty confident that he is a good fit for this company. We still haven't heard back from Aesculap (sp?) in Pennsylvania and are waiting for another week to hear from Zimmer. They are checking budgets to see who all they can fly out for interviews.

We are continuing to pray that something will come up soon. We are very blessed to have so many family and friends so willing to help us.

All in all, life is good. My kids are healthy, Seth is funny as ever, it's not so hot outside anymore and I have yarn. Life is good.

Some new pictures

Ok, I've had requests to see my knitting. So, here are pictures!!

Amelia's hat











Seth's Hat (it is being blocked right now so he can't wear it yet)














My first sock. I'm getting to the tricky part right now. I need to do the heel. I will be really happy when I figure this out and know how to do it. The method I'm doing is called Magic Loop. Eventually (after I learn how to do one sock) I will be able to do 2 socks at the same time! YIPEE!











And finally, Seth and GEORGE!!! Hooray for George. He is making our lives SO much easier! :D

Ah, sweet success!

Seth's Bye Bye Binkie party was a SUCCESS!!!! Well, at least until bedtime. Then we had weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. However, in the end (after lots of cuddles, snuggles and reassurances) he went to sleep without the binkie and with George. Yes, he got a Curious George doll to carry around instead of his binkies. Hooray! We had cake and ice cream and two of his little friends come over. We really did have a good time. And, there are NO MORE binkies in my house!!!! :D:D:D

Jeremy has an interview with Biomet on Friday morning at 11:00. This is another company in Warsaw, IN. We haven't heard anything from the other places yet.

Bye-Bye Binkies!!!!

Oh yes, this will occur tonight at 7:30. Seth is saying goodbye to his binkies!!! I am THRILLED beyond description. We'll see how he does with it though. He is getting a small stuffed Curious George and cake and ice cream. Two of his friends will come over for his party. He's pretty excited about it actually. He keeps saying that he wants to throw his binkies in the trash! Hopefully he will do it tonight and not want to get them back out! :D

Pennsylvania

Well, Jeremy got a call from the HR lady at the company in PA today. Apparently she is not sure if Charlie (the guy who initially interviewed Jeremy) wants to do another phone interview or do a face to face. So, she has to get in contact with Charlie (who is out of town) then she will call Jeremy and let him know.
My question is this...why did you call on Friday if you didn't know when or HOW to interview Jeremy?!?!?!?

I Knit...it's a good thing.

I love to knit. Have I mentioned that before? I love that it challenges me. Not that mothering doesn't challenge me, but when I don't like how my knitting is going, I can fix it! I can either rip it out, or tink (knit spelled backwards). I get results pretty quickly - good results. It makes me feel better about myself. And - yarn only loves me. The wool loves me and never talks back, hits, screams, steps on Amelia's head, or cries incessently for me to hold it...wait, yest it does.

I am learning to knit socks. This is more difficult than I thought it would be. Socks are so common. everyone has them. They can't be THAT hard. But, for me, it is. I have already ripped out my socks 6 times in the last 48 hours. I will get it. When I do, I'll show you a picture of it!

Seth told me tonight that he wants to knit. Music to my ears! I can't wait to teach him. I need to learn how to finger knit so I can teach him that first. I think it will be easier for him. I just finished a sun hat for him. The only reason I made one for him is because he really wanted one. I made one for Amelia and it was too big. I gave it to my niece, Tess (she is 11 days older than Amelia, but has a bigger head). So, then I knit another one for Amelia. Seth really needed one, so he got one. I haven't blocked it yet, so it looks like a ruffle on the brim. My brother, Chip, said that he looks like a woman in it. It will be SO much cuter when I get it blocked.

I went on Friday night to see the Yarn Harlot. She was hilarious. It is nice to know I'm not alone in my obsession with knitting and yarn. Well, I knew I wasn't alone. I have my sweet sister Stephanie to thank for my obsession. It was fun. If you check back on her site, you'll see a picture of Amelia. There is an old adage that claims that if an expert knitter places knitting needles in a babys hands, the child will be clever at knitting. So, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (the Yarn Harlot's real name) placed needles in Amelia's hands. We were laughing that A didn't want to let go of them! She has a great future!

Knitting is taking over my sugar addiction. Ok, kind of. It is filling that void by keeping my hands busy. I can't eat and knit at the same time. I've tried, it doesn't work too well. So, maybe this can be my new diet. The Knitting Diet. I can see it now...it will be the newest fad that sweeps the nation!

Wahoo!

Jeremy has an interview with the company in Pennsylvania!!! We don't know when yet. The lady called to set it up when we were gone this morning. Jer called her back and they are now playing phone tag! As soon as we know more, I'll let you all know!! I am SO excited!!!! (and so is he!)

Ugh.

I have fallen off the no sugar wagon so many times that I don't think it counts that I was even on it (for the 5 minutes that I was!). So, I'm trying a new strategy. Instead of NO SUGAR, I am saying NO SWEETS. I can do that. So, for one month, no candy, cookies, ice cream (ack!), brownies, or anything of the like. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. Jeremy has just propsed that I get a star on the calendar for every day I go without sweets. It's like when we were attempting at potty training Seth! I hope I get as excited about the stars as he did! :D

Jeremy got a rejection letter today from a company here in Salt Lake. He didn't even get an interview. This is so frustrating. We are both so frustrated and just don't know what to do right now. We have money to get us through this month, then nothing. SOmething will come up, that is what we keep saying, but it's getting harder and harder to believe it. He should hear from the 2 companies he interviewed with next week.

I am just so tired of this. Tired of needing to be on WIC, tired of having no extra cash, tired of the stress of no job. I don't know how my folks did it for 13 months...and they had 5 kids! But, they did have savings. It's just so frustrating. I am sick of apartment living. I want a yard for my son to get to run and play in. I want to be able to sit outside with him and not worry about him running into the parking lot or stepping in dog crap that litters the playground.

Like the title says, ugh. That is just how I'm feeling today. Tomorrow is another day. I get to go hear the Yarn Harlot speak. That will get me even more motivated to knit and at the same time make me sad that I can't buy the sock yarn and needles that I want. Someday, someday, someday...

Knitting

Oh I love to knit. I am not at all crafty in any other way at all. And, to be quite honest, I'm not very crafty when it comes to knitting. I wish I were more adventureous, but I'm not. I've only knit hats and diaper covers so far. I've started blankets, scarves and a dress for Amelia, but have never finished any of them. So, I am determined to do something new. This came to me today when I was rolling a beautiful hank of yarn that I was sent at Christmas time. It is wool, hand dyed and just gorgeous! So, as I was contemplating...would it look better on Seth's head or Amelia's bum?, I decided NEITHER! I am not sure what I will do with it yet, but something :) I am also bound and determined to learn to knit socks. Wish me luck there! :)

Jer had an interview with Zimmer in Warsaw, IN this morning. It went well. A couple of the men he spoke with know his grad school advisor. So, knowing that Kent will give a good recommendation helps a lot. We're back to waiting. We should know something within the next week about the 2 interview's he's had recently.

Sugar...the bain of my existence

Ah, vacation. My in-laws vacation that is. We had such a fantastic time with them. We shopped, played, ate (lots of good food), visited with family and just had a great time! Seth misses them terribly now. Today in church he said, "Where's Grandma??". It was pretty sweet. He loved having them here to play with him. When his Aunt Nanny (Stephanie) asked what he did with Grandma and Grandpa he replied, "Played with Legos!" Funny boy. Now I'm tired and have been taking lots of naps to recoup. ;)

So, as you read earlier, we ate lots of good food. Too much good food. I am afraid to even look at the scale for fear of what it will say. So, I am taking on a big challenge. No Sugar. This scares me. You all know me. You all know how much I love sugar. In fact, I think I am addicted. I told Jeremy that he is going to have to help me. I will be going through some major withdrawls for a while, I know it. I'm only doing it for a month. I can do anything for a month. But, I need to do a detox. I have eaten so much ice cream, brownies, candies, cookies and all sorts of good sweet things recently that I know it is making me just exhausted. So, for the health of myself and my nursling, I am going sans sugar for a month. Check in with me. Keep me accountable. If I know that there are people who are watching me, I'll do better :)

Jeremy has an interview on Tuesday morning. Seth, Amelia and I will be kicked out of the house at 8:00. What to do?? Probably go to the park or the library. Back to the job though. I really want Jeremy to get this job. I want him to get any job, but this one in particular. Why? Because it is SO affordable to live there! I have this fear that because I want to live there so badly it isn't going to happen.

We've decided that if the Lord would just tell us where we need to be it would make things SO much easier! We will go anywhere, we just don't know where! We'll even *choke* stay here if we need to. We just want to know where we are going and what is going on with our lives.

So, Tuesday will be Seth's first day of "school". We are going to go to the Library for Toddler Time, then come home and have lunch. After his nap, we'll do a worksheet and start learning about phonics. I think we'll also talk about frogs this week. Or maybe dinosaurs. That is what he is really into right now. We'll have to get some dinosaur books at the library on Tuesday :) It will be fun. I think he will really like it.

Interview Update

So, Jeremy had 2 interviews this week and I thought I'd update you all on how they went. Monday morning, Jer's folks took Seth, Amelia and me out to breakfast and to the park while Jer had his interview. It was supposed to start at 9, so we were gone by 8:30. At a little after 11, Jer called. I thought that this was a great sign, a 2 hour interview!!! So, we went home and found out that it was only a 30 minute interview...he used the rest of the time to do some work that he needed to.
But, the interview went really well. The gentleman he spoke with sounded very encouraging and said that he wanted to meet Jeremy! Now, we wait.

Jer's other interview of the week was scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8:30. So, we were gone by 8 and at 8:45 he called to let us know that it had to be rescheduled to Tuesday. So, we came back home. He's actually ok with it being rescheduled. This gives him some more time to research and get ready.

So, we're still waiting...but at least now he has had some nibbles :)