ummmm...why did you all simultaneously burst into song whilst staring and smiling at ME??
step 1 of epic first birthday mess
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Nostalgia
One year ago, we did this very same thing. You slept, and I held you, filled with wonder that you were actually mine. Now you sleep, and I hold you, and I am filled with gratitude that you are mine. Every corner of my soul is grateful that the Lord has blessed our home with you. We have watched you change and grow and explore. We have learned about your personality and felt your vibrancy. We have basked in your radiance for one whole year.
I just can’t wait to see what you accomplish. Happy Birthday Kylea Grace!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
My Mountain Top
This post is for my husband. My darling husband, who I love dearly, has been looking for a promotion for over a year and a half now. About two years ago he was displaced from his job at American Express. Up to that point he had been a shooting star, his ambition and hard work had earned him regular raises and promotions and we felt that the sky was the limit.
Fortunately he was able to find a new job within the company quickly so he never had to accept severance or even go a single day without work. We were lucky. No, we were blessed. The job that he accepted was a slight demotion. The job wasn't as prestigious but Kevin figured that it was only a momentary set back, he waited out the holiday season and then began searching for another promotion. We were sure it would come quickly.
Well, it hasn't come quickly. Our story isn't unique, many people are struggling in this economy. And many people are worse off than us. For almost two years now Kevin has gone to interview after interview sometimes making it so close to being hired only to be told that they really liked him but ultimately decided to go with someone with more experience. He hasn't let that stop him, he went back to school and has almost completed his Master's degree in Business Administration. He volunteered for a six sigma project at American Express, in his free time (unpaid separate from his work). He pinpointed a problem and orchestrated a project to correct it that saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars to this point and will continue to save the company money for years in the future. He did all this to build his resume and increase his competitive edge in this shaky economy.
Just yesterday he came home with more bad news. After two interviews and a month of waiting to hear back, he was declined for another position. The reason? They chose someone with more experience. My heart aches for him and to be honest my optimistic nature is crumbling. When will his hard work be recognized? When will his ambition pay off? I wanted to shake the hiring manager and say, "You are missing out! He IS the best candidate for this position!" I wanted to stand on a mountain top and shout his credentials so that the right person would hear and take their opportunity to grab him. I know I'm not the most neutral person to ask but in my opinion the person who takes a risk and hires Kevin will be doing their business a service. I understand that experience seems like a safe bet, but his potential is limitless, the things he is capable of are great. His enthusiasm and potential outshines experience every day of the week!
I don't have a mountain top. I don't think yelling in the wilderness would be a very effective method anyway. But I do have this blog. I recognize that my audience is limited but I am hoping that someone within the influence of this blog will be able to help. Maybe it will just help me to feel like I can do something more than offer him a few consoling words and hug.
If you know someone, anyone that is looking for an intelligent, motivated young professional let us know! If you know about any networking opportunities, let us know! If you don't have any suggestions, then I just ask you to add us to your prayers. Pray that we will be able to be patient. Pray that we will be able to smile despite our challenges. And pray that we will someday (when the time is right) be rewarded with the opportunity that we seek. Oh.....and pray that Kevin doesn't get his feathers too ruffled when he sees that I wrote this blog entry:)
Fortunately he was able to find a new job within the company quickly so he never had to accept severance or even go a single day without work. We were lucky. No, we were blessed. The job that he accepted was a slight demotion. The job wasn't as prestigious but Kevin figured that it was only a momentary set back, he waited out the holiday season and then began searching for another promotion. We were sure it would come quickly.
Well, it hasn't come quickly. Our story isn't unique, many people are struggling in this economy. And many people are worse off than us. For almost two years now Kevin has gone to interview after interview sometimes making it so close to being hired only to be told that they really liked him but ultimately decided to go with someone with more experience. He hasn't let that stop him, he went back to school and has almost completed his Master's degree in Business Administration. He volunteered for a six sigma project at American Express, in his free time (unpaid separate from his work). He pinpointed a problem and orchestrated a project to correct it that saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars to this point and will continue to save the company money for years in the future. He did all this to build his resume and increase his competitive edge in this shaky economy.
Just yesterday he came home with more bad news. After two interviews and a month of waiting to hear back, he was declined for another position. The reason? They chose someone with more experience. My heart aches for him and to be honest my optimistic nature is crumbling. When will his hard work be recognized? When will his ambition pay off? I wanted to shake the hiring manager and say, "You are missing out! He IS the best candidate for this position!" I wanted to stand on a mountain top and shout his credentials so that the right person would hear and take their opportunity to grab him. I know I'm not the most neutral person to ask but in my opinion the person who takes a risk and hires Kevin will be doing their business a service. I understand that experience seems like a safe bet, but his potential is limitless, the things he is capable of are great. His enthusiasm and potential outshines experience every day of the week!
I don't have a mountain top. I don't think yelling in the wilderness would be a very effective method anyway. But I do have this blog. I recognize that my audience is limited but I am hoping that someone within the influence of this blog will be able to help. Maybe it will just help me to feel like I can do something more than offer him a few consoling words and hug.
If you know someone, anyone that is looking for an intelligent, motivated young professional let us know! If you know about any networking opportunities, let us know! If you don't have any suggestions, then I just ask you to add us to your prayers. Pray that we will be able to be patient. Pray that we will be able to smile despite our challenges. And pray that we will someday (when the time is right) be rewarded with the opportunity that we seek. Oh.....and pray that Kevin doesn't get his feathers too ruffled when he sees that I wrote this blog entry:)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Eleventh Month
These days, adventure is her middle name.
Exploring the laundry while Mommy folds.
Eats meals in her diaper because she gets MESSY while exploring eating her food.
Except when she's stealing Mommy's smoothie then she's all business. She nearly devoured the entire thing!
Made her very first favorite stuffed animal. His name is Pierre and Kylea LOVES wrestling him and biting his beak.
Shopping and found Pierre
She has the most infectious laugh ever. I defy you not to smile when she bursts out into one of her signature belly laughs.
Sleeps in a big girl bed because she can crawl out of her crib now.
which means mommy finds her playing with her toys when she should be napping.
Anytime she can get wet is the best time of day in her opinion.
Has 3 teeth now.
Loves the doggy like a brother. A big fluffy pillow brother who lets her steal all his toys and pull on his ears and tail.
But daddy makes the best pillow of all.
She walks all over the place now. It's still odd to see my baby come walking out her bedroom on her own two feet.
Those feet have led her to find lots of drawers and spaces previously unattainable. Like the diaper drawer.
Has always been fascinated with the washer and dryer but now she can really get close enough to see what is going on.
This is how we drink water
This is how we wear our sippy cup as a hat.
riding the train with daddy
We LOVE you Kylea Grace!
Monday, August 1, 2011
She's walking
She took her first steps at nine months, one or two at a time but as of yesterday she is covering distances with her tiny little feet. Watch her go!!!
Those of you who receive these by e-mail will need to click onto the actual blog to watch this little video. Excuse our mess, we are still unpacking. And the baby just woke up from a nap which is why she is half nakey with wild unkempt hair.
I just can't believe how fast my baby is growing up!
Those of you who receive these by e-mail will need to click onto the actual blog to watch this little video. Excuse our mess, we are still unpacking. And the baby just woke up from a nap which is why she is half nakey with wild unkempt hair.
I just can't believe how fast my baby is growing up!
TEN Months
Could it really be, ten months ago that little Kylea joined this family?
This has been a BIG month
After months of drooling and chewing this month TWO little teeth popped up on the bottom. Kylea has put them to good use by shredding her food with those teeth.
This month was the month when you took your first steps! You are still not walking yet. But you will take a couple little shuffle steps between mommy and daddy or to get to an especially fun toy.
We also moved into a new home. Forget about toys, boxes are the most fun toys on planet earth to a little crawling baby. You spent a good portion of your wakeful hours sitting in, and crawling through one that mommy set up for you.
This has been a BIG month
After months of drooling and chewing this month TWO little teeth popped up on the bottom. Kylea has put them to good use by shredding her food with those teeth.
This month was the month when you took your first steps! You are still not walking yet. But you will take a couple little shuffle steps between mommy and daddy or to get to an especially fun toy.
We also moved into a new home. Forget about toys, boxes are the most fun toys on planet earth to a little crawling baby. You spent a good portion of your wakeful hours sitting in, and crawling through one that mommy set up for you.
Trouble has become your middle name as your explorations usually lead to dumping out the doggy's water, feeding him your food at meal times, climbing everything in sight and SCREECHING at the top of your tiny lungs when you don't get your way.....I'm not sure how, but even at your naughtiest moment you are terribly cute.
You have become quite the copycat and imitate all sorts of sounds and actions that you see. When daddy smashed his thumb and let out a growl you immediately joined in, growling and yowling right along with daddy.
Your two favorite parts of the day are walk/jog (mommy is trying to get jogging again) in the morning and bath at night. If you had your way, you would every waking moment of your life either outside or submerged in a body of water. More than once during the move mommy came to check on a suspiciously quiet Ky-ky while she was packing to find you had dumped out the doggy's water dish all over the ground and you laying in a pool of water on the ground splashing and kicking around. Such a silly, mischievous little girl!
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