Sick

Because this is my blog and my thoughts, I can complain about this here, right? I don't think it's very funny to have cramps on top of an achey body from sickness. Seems like a cruel joke :p

Matthew had a flat tire on the way to work today, so I ended up taking him to work. He told me that Mr. A had sent an email up to division to find out what was going on with the mobilization. Late this afternoon I got an email from Matthew with a communication that they wanted to see his last 3 evaluations if he was still interested in the opportunity. Of course he sent them and apparently this is a good sign that they requested them. So, as I thought, the game isn't over yet.

Today Jared brought home a request to test him for the Gifted/Talented program. I'm really happy for him :) Matthew isn't sure it's a good idea, but I think it would be an opportunity to give him some better peers. The biggest challenge is the extra work that will result, but I think he ought to at least be given the opportunity to try. We'll see.

Today is the Day

Up to this point we haven't heard anything about the mobilization, so we've been in carefree limbo. But, this morning when I knelt to pray the thought 'It'll happen" came into my mind. So, I expect we'll get the orders today while Matthew is at work. The start date is Friday, so he'd have to be in place before then. I've prayed that whatever is best for our family is what will happen, so in that regard I know we'll be just fine. But, I'm still feeling anxious. Most of that is just the anticipation and waiting I think though. Matthew told me last night that we need to get all of our money deposited today so we can start fresh at least. I do have all of my piano checks still from last month so I do really need to get them in the bank.

Yesterday was the Stake Conference broadcast from Salt Lake. It was a great meeting. Elder Jensen, Sis. Dibb (Pres Monson's daughter), Elder Ballard and Pres Monson were the speakers. How cool is it to say that Pres Monson spoke at our Stake Conference?! I think Sis. Dibb's was the most memorable for me because she gave us an acronym to remember:

Pray
Read the Book of Mormon every day for 5 min
Obey
Smile. We can follow the prophet by smiling and being happy :) I liked that one.

I talked to Jared about her talk afterwards. He's decided that he's going to make the BOM as part of his required 15 min of reading for school. He started last night and was a bit frustrated by all the hard names, but he finally settled on Alma preaching in Ammonihah. He made it through the first two pages, but he did it!

I asked him if he thought I smiled/was happy enough. He said that I was happy sometimes, but I was usually unhappy. When questioned further, he said that it was because of their - his - behavior that made me unhappy. I worry about how he will grow up and what kind of relationship we will have. I worry that he is not getting enough positive attention. Elder Ballard commented that families should be a safe haven. That there should be love and security there. It is easy to love on Aaron because he readily accepts it, initiates it, craves it. Jared needs it, but fights it too. He wants to be snuggly, but he can be rough about it and fight it. I had the boys switch places and separated them, and cuddled Jared. I know he relished it. I need to find ways to do that more and to give him positive attention.

Thurs he got in trouble for stealing - which is something we've talked to him a lot about. Honesty was one of the topics yesterday, and I wonder what kind of example am I setting? What do I need to change in the way I speak and act so that Jared will be more honest too?

I need to be more of a do-er instead of a passive sitter.

opportunities?

I was thinking this morning about how much we need to document the things going on in our life, but I've been so bad about it. I think I will begin using this blog as a more consistent journal.

I'm not sure where to begin. The big vague summation is that our opportunities seem to be tied to a revolving door and every time we think we'll get to step out, the door closes and a new option opens.

Currently Matthew is on orders through the 4th. When he went on orders at the beginning of Jan, the plan was that he'd work through Feb 9th, then they'd try to get him funding through the end of the month. At that point they would support/fund him going to parallegal school. Well, when Matthew processed the soldier's paperwork who was supposed to be in the slot to kick him out, the guy called and they worked it out so that that soldier will fulfill his responsibilities and go to paralegal school. Well, that was disappointing, but it was going to be ok because there was nother opportunity opening that would provide for a career that M would be happy with.

There is a Unit Administrator position that we thought M would be able to get. Mr. A was originally the one doing the hiring for the position. As long as M's resume made it to his desk, he'd get the job. In order to ensure it made it through all the jumps in the computer system, Mr. A told him exactly what to say. M was even going to go to Tennesee for a week sometime this month to fill in as a UA for the unit he'd be going to. The job would go online in March. Well, Matthew came home yesterday and said that opportunity was most likely a bust. A UA unit is being created and Mr.A will no longer be the one doing the hiring which means his odds of being chosen are slim.

So, where does this leave us? Another lead. They've put in a request for 60 day orders, but there is also a mobilization opportunity. It would be a great stepping stone to be able to check off a lot of little boxes that M needs to further his opportunities for Federeal jobs. Here are the details. It's a 7 month mobilization to one of three places: Wisconsin, New Jersey, or South Carolina. The kicker - he'd report Feb 11th - next Friday!!! and the return date is Sept 30th. There are only 5 openings, so again the odds are slim but it is something. I am scared and nervous and hopeful all at the same time.

I know something good is waiting for us, and maybe it's all the blessings along the way. But we can't keep living on hopes. As nice as food stamps are, it isn't the way it should be nor the way we want it to be.