New Job, New Car and a good picture of the Family

In past posts,(if anyone can remember that long ago) I mentioned something about the FBI and Andrew. We had some interesting things happen. He went through both the first and second phase of testing and passed. But then he was not selected. It was a difficult time, there is no reason except maybe they were most likely looking for something he didn't have, such as a foreign language or IT skills etc.

Anyway, when one door closes another opens as the saying goes. A couple of months ago there was an advertisment for Parmele Law Firm that practices solely in Social Security disability claims. During law school, Andrew did his internship with an Administrative Law Judge for Social Security Administration, so he applied. They called him back, told him his resume was impressive, but the job was in Rolla Missouri. Andrew said thanks but no thanks. It would be to hard to sell the house right now and I have a good job.

A week or so later they called him again and told him they decided to open a position in Kansas City and asked if he was interested. Of course he was. After he had his interview and his references were checked, Parmele offered him an attorney position.

It will require him to travel to Topeka, Kansas about twice a week and also to either St Joseph, Missouri or Columbia, Missouri about once a week. These are all about 1 1/2 hour trips so he'll still be home every night. And last week when he went to St. Joe he beat me home! Occasionally, he'll have to go somewhere random, like California or Iowa. He has an office with a window that is close the Crown Center. And I have never seen him so happy about a job!!! But I took a picture of the 2 case files he brought home. I'm sure the excitment will wear off but he'll still enjoy it. We've waited for this for 2 years.

He has a conference in DC in May and I get to go with him!! I'm very excited. Grandma DeLaMare is going to watch the kids!

But since he has to drive so much he is now driving our Impala and we got a new car for me to drive. It's a Dodge Journey and is so fun!!

Life is really good and we are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for his constant care!

I will try to do a better job of updating this so that it doesn't take me 2 hours! Please read on for the rest of the blogs I posted today! I can't wait to hear comments if there is anyone who hasn't given up on me!

Birthday # 1!!

So I can't believe Bailey is a year old. (as I'm sure you can't since I haven't updated this since she was 6 months!!)

On March 13th two days after her brother's birthday Bailey turned 1. We had just the 4 of us and then we went to grandma and grandpa DeLaMare's for the weekend. She was so cute and had fun with both cake and presents.

She is such a joy. She is happy most of the time and always has a quick laugh. She's not walking yet, (which is just fine with us) but her vocabulary is incredible. Her favorite words these days are Hello and doggie. Kitty and cheese are up there. She has a hard time with Parker but says it like "Dah her" P and K are hard! instead of mama she says Mommy, which is funny because Parker still says mama.

She has the greatest smile and the craziest hair. She is such a joy. And sometimes she looks at me like I'm her whole world and there is nothing she loves more. That sure makes a mom feel good!!

Birthday 7

On March 11th Parker Celebrated his 7th birthday. Having a 7 year old makes me feel 29. He wanted everything Transformers. We had a big party for his 6th birthday so instead of making a party the expectation we did something with just us.

He wanted to go ice skating with Mom and then eat at IHOP. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of us ice skating but we had a lot of fun. Parker spent a lot of time on his rear end on the ice, but he got a lot better by the end. Mom is proud to say she didn't fall and even remembered some tricks from her youth.

We met Dad and Bailey and Rachel at IHOP where he annouced to everyone that it was his birthday, so they sang to him and made him blush.

He is a good kid, and we love him so much. The pictures I did get are priceless!

Birthday 29

So I celebrated my 29th birthday a month ago! I have to say I'm still a little put out that I did not get a golden birthday. The year I turn 29 there is not a 29th, oh well. but I did have a fun weekend. For those of you who don't know this about me. I do not know how to have just one day for my birthday. Growing up I always got 2 days (Thanks mom and dad) because my parents didn't agree what day I should celebrate it if it wasn't leap year. So I have gotten very use to having my birthday celebrated for a number of days. I know my parents only gave me two days but I figure if two is good four is better right? Drives Andrew crazy, but because he loves me he indulges me.

We went out to dinner with some friends who where also celebrating birthdays. And then the next day it snowed! And not just a little! So we played in the snow with the kids. Can't believe I celebrated my first 29th birthday. I do not feel anywhere close to that! Ha ha

First Stitches

So after waiting almost 7 years for it to happen, Parker finally had to have stitches. He was in Buffalo Missouri visiting his grandma and grandpa DeLaMare and slipped on some wet rocks while he was holding a rock in his left hand. The rock he was holding smashed his left thumb when he fell. It cut the thumb and there was need of stitches mainly to save the nail bed.

After the stitches came out he lost the nail but it is growing back! We had to drive down and meet them at the ER in Bolivar Missouri, but fortuantely everthing was okay.

New year, New Things

So at the begining of the year my mom and sister Rachel came out to see us. My mom went home and my sister stayed. She is living with us for now. She found a job and is working. She says she likes it here and has made some friends. We have really enjoyed having her here. In Jan and Feb, she didn't have a job and we had a lot of sickness so she helped watch the kids when I had to work. The kids love having her around and I've really enjoyed her also.

I found out at the begining of the year that I developed an auto immune disease during my pregnancy that killed my thyroid. It's called Hosimotos disease. So my thyroid was ridiculously low. I have to take thyroid medication for the rest of my life but I have to say that it is a relief. I felt so awful. I was killing myself to lose the weight from the pregnancy with no luck and I was exhuasted all the time. My body ached, and so much more. I've been on medication for 2 1/2 months now and I've lost 20 pounds. I have energy I can consentrate and basically just feel better. So yeah for thyroid meds!

Here's a picture of the kids with Grandma

Taking time

Okay I'm taking time to finally update this blog. Yes I've heard from several that it's bees so six month so I should get it updated. The problem with waiting so long is that there is so much to tell so instead of one really long blog I will do several!! The end of our year was crazy as usual and for the first time in 8 years I didn't get Christmas cards sent out. I decided not to lose sleep over it! So I'm putting a couple of pictures on here that very likely would have been on our Christmas card, had I done one. I hope you all had great holidays very overdue!