Blessings (thank Goodness)

I have avoided writing this post since I debated with myself if I should or not. But the purpose of this blog is to state what I am grateful for and this is a biggy.

For the past 6 weeks work has been hinting that lay off's were coming. My boss hinted strongly that it could invole my unit. I didn't worry too much since my client pays extra to have me and my people 100% dedicated to them.
Well, a couple of weeks ago he really hinted that it could hit. I prayed etc.
The dreadful rumored day a Friday, came and went and my unit was spared.
Then the next Wednesday (last week) I was pulled in and advised that I would be let go at the end of the month.
I calmly asked if they had informed my client which they had not.
I asked what was expected of me between now and then.
I then said OK and came back to my office, shut the door, knelt down and had a long talk. I pleaded that if possible that He would soften the heart of my Senior VP just as He had Pharaoh and allow me to keep my job. Nat deserves to be a stay at home mom and Boo deserves to have her there. Not that I would put Nat to work at once but this job makes it easy for us to have only me work. We are so lucky to have it and for me to have moved up where I am.
A few hours later I was ready to leave for the day since I did not want to stick around. After all I had to go home and advise Nat that we were about to be unemployed at the end of the month.
I went down to tell my boss I was leaving.
My boss said to wait a bit longer since he had told my client the news and my client went through the roof, demanding a call be set up with the Senior VP who is over my unit.
I went back to my office and repeated the process I had done earlier.
My boss came down to my office about 45 minutes later to advise me that I was rehired. I guess that call was explosive, from what I was told.
Of course I thanked him, picked up the phone and called my client to thank him and then shut the door and thanked He who can work miracles, from parting the red sea to letting someone sitting in New Jersey get mad enough, and scream loud enough, to soften the heart of a Senior VP sitting in Dallas, that allows my 3 year old to have a mom 100% at home with her.
For this special, individual attention from a very busy Father, I am very grateful

Wow just wow.

It  has been awhile since I have posted anything. Lots has happened.
We took Boo to see the new Winnie the Pooh movie. Randy and Misty joined us. It was great to have Boo dig into their popcorn and not ours for a change.
We went to the Bountiful Parade Friday night. In order to get OK seats I woke up at 5am that morning and headed over. Found a spot, set up and waited until 7 am when we were allowed to leave.
The other day Boo came into where I was reading, her arms folded, a big frown on her face. I asked what was wrong, she replied."I'm frustrated!" I asked why she said "Cuz I am Dad!"
she stormed into her room and 10 minutes later everything was great.
Boy if this is 3 years old what is 13 or 16 going to be.
Work has been interesting...just glad to have a job and allow Nat to stay home with Boo.

Thoughts on a Sunday Evening

I am in a different sort of mood tonight. The day started early with High Council meeting, then my Church then the 6th ward then home and on to the in laws for birthday dinner.
I feel very grateful for my life. I have a great family and love my calling at church.
Last night Boo stuck her butt out at me and said "I'm getting so big. Even my butt see...."

She also said she had something up her nose. I said Burgers? to which she replied. "No. it's bird poop. See?" What a bit of fresh air every day.

So tonight I  am grateful for being me.

Wet Basement Stinks!!!

Last night Nat went down to work on her sewing machine in her 3/4 of the basement. She said the carpet felt wet.
Well, after pulling it up we found a soaking wet mess of a pad and wall.
I spent the night pulling up carpet and setting up fans. Scrubbing the pad and carpet back, sucking up water with a small wet vac (our green machine died).
Today I spent the day pulling up more water and cleaning.
I also decided since I had the day home to fix our tube faucet upstairs that was leaking. It was totally unrelated to the water down stairs. After trips to Lowe's and Home depot with no success I went to Standard plumbing to get the parts. They did not have them as well but the kid behind the counter said to go to M1 Specialists. I walked in and showed them what I wanted. He looked at it for a second, looked in a book then the computer and 3 minutes later came back from the warehouse with the perfect parts.
So the tub is fixed. The water is not coming in any more so I have no idea where we flooded from. The pad, part of the sheet rock, and the baseboards are all out in the trash.
The smell is...how did Nat put it..."Not hitting smack in your face almost knocking you out when you walk in."
Now on to getting a machine, then deodorizing and cleaning. Replacing the carpet Pad I threw out, cutting more sheet rock away to make sure we got all the stinky stuff, putting up new sheet rock, taping sanding then painting.
Just what I wanted...a summer project.

I am grateful we caught it when we did before too much more damage happened. Also grateful for a 3 year old assistant that knows how to use pillars on tub handles. I drew the line when she wanted to use the razor blade to cut the wall like daddy.

Happy 4th everyone

What The Flag Means To Me(written 9-12-01)

The red is the blood of too many people who have given their lives
to provide us the right to fly, or burn it.
It is also the blood of the many innocent lives lost,
simply because they were Americans.
The white is the hopes and dreams
of the families of those who have died,
that their sacrifice was not in vain and meant something.
The blue is the promise of each new generation,
that they will leave the world a better place than their parents did.
It also is the many tears shed among all classes of people,
hoping for this better life.
The stars represent the heavenly guidance
our leaders receive from above,
starting with our founding fathers down
to the present day administration.
(this is given even if they don't deserve it themselves)
What does the flag mean to me?
It's hard to put into words,
but as I stand with hand
over heart and sing
the last words of, "...and the home of the brave."
a tear comes to my eye, and my heart beats a little stronger.
This flag is my heritage
from my father and his father,
and what I leave to my children.
Long may it wave