So they let me trade mine in for the full price I paid last year to get that one. I really want the one with the stitch regulator but that would cost me an additional $1100. So I can't justify such a luxury. At least this one has the same shape as my other machine so it fits my sewing table perfectly. Now I'm back to quilting (between March Madness games). All of our brackets are busted since there were so many upsets like Duke. I thought for sure Jabari Parker would lead them to at least the final 4. O'well at least Florida Gators are still in it. I think everyone in the family has chosen them to win the whole thing. Keeping our fingers crossed.
"Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." Gordon B. Hinckley
Saturday, March 22, 2014
New Sewing Machine
So they let me trade mine in for the full price I paid last year to get that one. I really want the one with the stitch regulator but that would cost me an additional $1100. So I can't justify such a luxury. At least this one has the same shape as my other machine so it fits my sewing table perfectly. Now I'm back to quilting (between March Madness games). All of our brackets are busted since there were so many upsets like Duke. I thought for sure Jabari Parker would lead them to at least the final 4. O'well at least Florida Gators are still in it. I think everyone in the family has chosen them to win the whole thing. Keeping our fingers crossed.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Pros and Cons of Puerto Rico
We found out that ROTC really wants Mario for Puerto Rico. It's requires a Spanish speaking Lt. Colonel. Apparently there aren't any that are available to take the job. So they are trying to get a waiver for Mario to leave Omaha a year early.
We were so excited about the job last weekend, but then we were told no and I came up with a million reasons why it was better we don't go. But now that it may still be an option, Mario and I had a lot of fasting and praying to do to see if we even wanted to ask for the waiver.
We made this pros and cons list this morning. Then we went to the Temple to seek guidance. I had just sat down in my seat when I was overcome by the Spirit. I felt such love from Heavenly Father and His reassurance He was pleased with us. I felt that His answer was "Yes, you can apply for the job." I'm not sure I felt a conformation that we would get it. But that was ok. I know that whatever happens will be for our good.
If we do go to Puerto Rico, we will miss having a Temple so close. What a blessing it has been to live within 30 minutes of a Temple. We have become quite spoiled.
We were so excited about the job last weekend, but then we were told no and I came up with a million reasons why it was better we don't go. But now that it may still be an option, Mario and I had a lot of fasting and praying to do to see if we even wanted to ask for the waiver.
We made this pros and cons list this morning. Then we went to the Temple to seek guidance. I had just sat down in my seat when I was overcome by the Spirit. I felt such love from Heavenly Father and His reassurance He was pleased with us. I felt that His answer was "Yes, you can apply for the job." I'm not sure I felt a conformation that we would get it. But that was ok. I know that whatever happens will be for our good.
If we do go to Puerto Rico, we will miss having a Temple so close. What a blessing it has been to live within 30 minutes of a Temple. We have become quite spoiled.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Disappointment
Wow, I have had a lot of disappointment in the last two days. The first disappointment came yesterday when I was happily quilting along and my needle broke on my sewing machine. No problem, I have spare needles. But after changing out the needle, the new needle wouldn't pick up the bobbin thread. I did everything I could think of to get it to work again. I finally called the shop and they told me to bring it in. I asked what that would entail (meaning how much was it going to cost me to get it fixed.) Since I bought it only 6 months ago, there would be no charge to fix it. But, it is a 10 day wait to get it back because apparently everyone in town decided it was the right time to have their machines serviced for the year. Oh my, how could I possible go 10 days without my sewing machine?! I guess I can now get my dining room back to looking like a dining room instead of a sewing room for 10 days. My family will be happy.
The second and biggest disappointment is that we will not be able to move to Puerto Rico this summer. On Friday, Mario received an email from his old boss asking if he would be willing to take his place as ROTC commander this summer. We aren't scheduled to move for another year and weren't looking to anyway since this will be Eric's senior year. But Eric was actually excited about moving to Puerto Rico and so with his blessing, Mario applied for the job. He would have gotten it, but he is in a joint job here in Omaha and apparently they won't let people out of joint jobs early very easily. In fact, he was told never. So, with the exception of Erin (who I think is secretly disappointed), the rest of us are so sad. We had gotten our hopes up and were convinced we would be able to move. But, the Air Force has some crazy policies and so for now, we have to give up on our dream to live in Puerto Rico where the temperature hardly dips below 70. That sounds like heaven after Omaha winters.
But we have done a lot of praying and apparently Heavenly Father doesn't think this is the right move for us, because we know that if it was, policies would be waived. So we will just put our trust in Him and look forward to our assignment with much anticipation next summer.
In the meantime, I will get my sewing machine back in 10 days and then I will relax and try not to dream about the tropics while I work on several quilt projects that I have planned. I will also enjoy the spring weather that is coming any day now (hopefully!)
The second and biggest disappointment is that we will not be able to move to Puerto Rico this summer. On Friday, Mario received an email from his old boss asking if he would be willing to take his place as ROTC commander this summer. We aren't scheduled to move for another year and weren't looking to anyway since this will be Eric's senior year. But Eric was actually excited about moving to Puerto Rico and so with his blessing, Mario applied for the job. He would have gotten it, but he is in a joint job here in Omaha and apparently they won't let people out of joint jobs early very easily. In fact, he was told never. So, with the exception of Erin (who I think is secretly disappointed), the rest of us are so sad. We had gotten our hopes up and were convinced we would be able to move. But, the Air Force has some crazy policies and so for now, we have to give up on our dream to live in Puerto Rico where the temperature hardly dips below 70. That sounds like heaven after Omaha winters.
But we have done a lot of praying and apparently Heavenly Father doesn't think this is the right move for us, because we know that if it was, policies would be waived. So we will just put our trust in Him and look forward to our assignment with much anticipation next summer.
In the meantime, I will get my sewing machine back in 10 days and then I will relax and try not to dream about the tropics while I work on several quilt projects that I have planned. I will also enjoy the spring weather that is coming any day now (hopefully!)
Friday, March 7, 2014
Military Rollercoaster
So Mario has a couple dream jobs in the military. One would be a Spanish instructor at the Academy in Colorado. The second would be ROTC commander at a university. He's begged for the Spanish instructor job and even told his commander he was willing to give up the chance for Colonel if they gave it to him. He was denied because the military knew it would be a career ender. So we moved to Omaha.
Now it's time to look for a new assignment. As a Lt. Colonel, he is eligible to be an ROTC commander. If he wants any chance at Colonel, (he's recently stated that he's glad he didn't close any doors to making Colonel, thanks to my advice) he needs a command job. That would leave ROTC or Communications command. He hates Comm and didn't really want to go that route. He has dual career fields, the other being Regional Affairs Strategist. Both career fields have to approve his next assignment. RAS told him they wouldn't support him going ROTC because he is due to go back to RAS assignment after Omaha. They would only release him to be Communications commander. He prayed about it and went to the Temple and decided he would apply for Comm command if that meant he would be closer to making Colonel. But later he was having major second thoughts.
When he saw an opportunity for RAS to send him to the academy, he decided he would give up on Colonel to have his dream job. He really just wants to make sure he is around for the family. It is a pivotal time for our children as Erin graduates from that assignment and the twins will be working towards Eagle scout. He called RAS and said, "Ok, I will take the academy job." The RAS guy told Mario that it wasn't an option. It was a mistake on the slideshow Mario had seen previously. I guess the assignment guy softened his heart and told Mario he would release him to be ROTC commander. Mario had been praying a lot for him to change his mind.
So now we are back on track to apply for ROTC. The list of schools becomes available this summer. So hopefully Mario will get picked up to be a commander. He has a good record so I think he will. We are hoping to stay in Omaha so we can lessen the hardships on our children. But when the list comes out, we will let Erin choose her top 5 places to move if we have to move. No guarantee they will give us anything on our wishlist though.
Mario has a lot of faith. He has spent the last couple weeks getting his hair (two haircuts in a 8 days) and uniform in order to take a very professional picture for his ROTC application. I honestly thought he was wasting his time on this picture because I didn't think RAS would release him to do ROTC. Obviously I need more faith.
Now it's time to look for a new assignment. As a Lt. Colonel, he is eligible to be an ROTC commander. If he wants any chance at Colonel, (he's recently stated that he's glad he didn't close any doors to making Colonel, thanks to my advice) he needs a command job. That would leave ROTC or Communications command. He hates Comm and didn't really want to go that route. He has dual career fields, the other being Regional Affairs Strategist. Both career fields have to approve his next assignment. RAS told him they wouldn't support him going ROTC because he is due to go back to RAS assignment after Omaha. They would only release him to be Communications commander. He prayed about it and went to the Temple and decided he would apply for Comm command if that meant he would be closer to making Colonel. But later he was having major second thoughts.
When he saw an opportunity for RAS to send him to the academy, he decided he would give up on Colonel to have his dream job. He really just wants to make sure he is around for the family. It is a pivotal time for our children as Erin graduates from that assignment and the twins will be working towards Eagle scout. He called RAS and said, "Ok, I will take the academy job." The RAS guy told Mario that it wasn't an option. It was a mistake on the slideshow Mario had seen previously. I guess the assignment guy softened his heart and told Mario he would release him to be ROTC commander. Mario had been praying a lot for him to change his mind.
So now we are back on track to apply for ROTC. The list of schools becomes available this summer. So hopefully Mario will get picked up to be a commander. He has a good record so I think he will. We are hoping to stay in Omaha so we can lessen the hardships on our children. But when the list comes out, we will let Erin choose her top 5 places to move if we have to move. No guarantee they will give us anything on our wishlist though.
Mario has a lot of faith. He has spent the last couple weeks getting his hair (two haircuts in a 8 days) and uniform in order to take a very professional picture for his ROTC application. I honestly thought he was wasting his time on this picture because I didn't think RAS would release him to do ROTC. Obviously I need more faith.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Yale Letter
We have been getting lots of mail and emails from colleges around the country since last June when Eric took the ACT for the first time. He did great, but he just retook it and bumped his score 2 more points. Now we are getting letters from even more competitive colleges.
Wow! I can't believe my son's name is actually on Yale letterhead. I didn't even know that Yale recruits. But we (I say "we" because whenever Eric does well in school, I take partial credit and say "We did really well on that math test" etc, it drives him crazy so it encourages me to do it more) got this letter from them today. I can't even imagine getting accepted to Yale and I know it takes a lot more than good test scores (and a lot of money) to get in. Mario and I would choose BYU if given the choice for him anyway. From what I've been told, BYU is highly selective as well but a whole lot cheaper.
I've hired a private tutor to help Eric achieve his goal score on the ACT. We'll see if she is able to help. So far he's been happy with her and thinks that he will be better prepared for the next one in April. I'm crossing my fingers.
Wow! I can't believe my son's name is actually on Yale letterhead. I didn't even know that Yale recruits. But we (I say "we" because whenever Eric does well in school, I take partial credit and say "We did really well on that math test" etc, it drives him crazy so it encourages me to do it more) got this letter from them today. I can't even imagine getting accepted to Yale and I know it takes a lot more than good test scores (and a lot of money) to get in. Mario and I would choose BYU if given the choice for him anyway. From what I've been told, BYU is highly selective as well but a whole lot cheaper.
I've hired a private tutor to help Eric achieve his goal score on the ACT. We'll see if she is able to help. So far he's been happy with her and thinks that he will be better prepared for the next one in April. I'm crossing my fingers.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Twins Growing Up
Mario and I took the twins out tonight since Eric was at a movie and Erin was babysitting. We asked the boys if they wanted to go to Toys R Us. They were excited to go and grabbed their wallets.
Last year they'd try to buy everything they saw when they had money. It felt like we'd spend an hour in the Lego section alone.
It was sad because tonight, they pretty much skipped the Lego section all together. They both said they aren't really interested in Legos anymore. In fact, they weren't really interested in any of the toys there. How sad, my little boys are growing up.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Last year they'd try to buy everything they saw when they had money. It felt like we'd spend an hour in the Lego section alone.
It was sad because tonight, they pretty much skipped the Lego section all together. They both said they aren't really interested in Legos anymore. In fact, they weren't really interested in any of the toys there. How sad, my little boys are growing up.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sharing and Pink Eye
I got my hair done this week. I don't remember the last time I dyed my hair. I think it was before I got married. I have done highlights a few times (less than 5) since getting married. But after 4 kids and each of them earning at least 50 grey hairs each, it was time to dye it. A friend does hair at her house and so I went with her to pick up the hair dye at the beauty supply store. While there, she told me about this great shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, hair clips and flat iron. So I splurged a little (or a lot) and got it all. (I actually didn't get it all. She told me that I need a $100 blow dryer if I want to do away with the frizz. I couldn't justify buying that this month too.) I only bought the things I did because I am so tempted to cut my hair short again because for one, Mario wants me to and second, I don't know how to take care of long hair. I thought maybe spending a fortune on products would do the trick.
I brought home my bag of goods and put it on the table. Erin comes home and immediately starts emptying my bag and one by one, takes everything out and up to her room. I don't mind sharing, but holy cow, I had just spent a lot of money on that stuff. I told her that I would share, but the products have to stay in my bathroom because I certainly didn't want her brothers using them. I quickly found out that Erin isn't so generous with her belongings. Keep reading....
So, now my hair is looking good, only because my friend styled it and not me. I'm sure there's not any amount of money I can spend to make it so I know how to style hair. I'm just not a girly girl. I decided to put on some eye makeup. My eyeliner needed sharpening so I decided to try out Erin's new eyeliner that she got on sale for a dollar.
By last night, my eyes were an itchy mess. I couldn't stand it. I took some Benedryl and immediately went to bed. I knew for sure that I must have gotten pink eye with my cold. I woke up to crusty eyes and immediately called the doctor. They got me in right away and so I had to cancel tutoring this morning. I knew I shouldn't tutor with pink eye anyway.
Turns out, no pink eye. It was an allergic reaction to the $1 eyeliner. So I text Erin this morning and tell her about my eyes. Here's a copy of our texts (ignore the first couple that were from yesterday):
Erin just makes me laugh. Everyday, I have to retrieve about 5 things from her room or bathroom that she has taken from me. But then I am the one with an allergic reaction from borrowing her stuff one time. I told Mario that the eyeliner cost me $40. He thought I meant that I paid $40 for the eyeliner. No, I lost $40 in tutoring money today because I was at the dr office and not tutoring. He was relieved that I wouldn't spend $40 on an eyeliner for our daughter.
I brought home my bag of goods and put it on the table. Erin comes home and immediately starts emptying my bag and one by one, takes everything out and up to her room. I don't mind sharing, but holy cow, I had just spent a lot of money on that stuff. I told her that I would share, but the products have to stay in my bathroom because I certainly didn't want her brothers using them. I quickly found out that Erin isn't so generous with her belongings. Keep reading....
So, now my hair is looking good, only because my friend styled it and not me. I'm sure there's not any amount of money I can spend to make it so I know how to style hair. I'm just not a girly girl. I decided to put on some eye makeup. My eyeliner needed sharpening so I decided to try out Erin's new eyeliner that she got on sale for a dollar.
By last night, my eyes were an itchy mess. I couldn't stand it. I took some Benedryl and immediately went to bed. I knew for sure that I must have gotten pink eye with my cold. I woke up to crusty eyes and immediately called the doctor. They got me in right away and so I had to cancel tutoring this morning. I knew I shouldn't tutor with pink eye anyway.
Turns out, no pink eye. It was an allergic reaction to the $1 eyeliner. So I text Erin this morning and tell her about my eyes. Here's a copy of our texts (ignore the first couple that were from yesterday):
Erin just makes me laugh. Everyday, I have to retrieve about 5 things from her room or bathroom that she has taken from me. But then I am the one with an allergic reaction from borrowing her stuff one time. I told Mario that the eyeliner cost me $40. He thought I meant that I paid $40 for the eyeliner. No, I lost $40 in tutoring money today because I was at the dr office and not tutoring. He was relieved that I wouldn't spend $40 on an eyeliner for our daughter.
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