29 November 2010

Help

Jaime has been having skin reactions. I first noticed it one morning after feeding her some pineapple from a can. I think it was the first time she's ever had pineapple. I was worried and took her into the doctor, also having him check on her eczema. After looking her over he told me that she's got really sensitive skin and that she's likely to react to many things (with eczema and skin reactions reciprocally flaring each other up) and to keep an eye out for what she's reacting to and keep it from her. I thought it was the acid from the pineapple, so I was careful to keep acidic things away from her. But today, she had the reactions below from either home-canned peaches (I don't think this is likely, as she's eaten these peaches for quite some time and I've never noticed anything) or commercially-canned corn. To add to the confusion...later on in the day she had an orange without a hitch. So it's not acid. What?! Now I'm thinking it's something having to do with commercially canned products. Maybe some kind of preservative they use in canning?



It should be noted that these are solely skin reactions. She does not get a swollen tongue or have trouble breathing.

I've never dealt with this and nobody in my family has these problems. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this and can help me out.

23 November 2010

Blessings

Count your many blessings name them one by two, three, four, five, six, seven. That is the number of tornadoes that struck within 10-15 miles of my former home yesterday. Aaahhhhhh! Today I am grateful to have moved away from Illinois. What are you grateful for? Ooohhhh, Joe is coming!!!!!!!! I am definitely grateful for that one too.

22 November 2010

My first manatee

Can you see it?



- Posted from my iPhone

21 November 2010

Sabbath thoughts

Admittedly, I am not at church right now. Jaime and I haven't been feeling well, and while we did attend sacrament meeting today, we didn't feel comfortable sharing our germs with those in nursery. Had you heard that Justin and I are now in nursery? Yep, we are. We were called the primary board and were given the choice of being the teachers of the 6-7 year olds or being in nursery. We chose nursery hands down, for Jaime's sake. She doesn't quite understand social interaction like the other kids in there, but she'll get there.

Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a thought I've been mulling over lately regarding motherhood. My insight came about as I found myself wishing I had a greater capacity to serve other people. I wish I had the time and lack of obligations that would allow me to drop everything and help someone who needs it. At the time, I also didn't have a car to use. As a mother, with a husband that is gone at work everyday all day (and all night 2 nights a week), that is impossible. But, I got to thinking, what I do everyday isn't just the boring and frustrating duties of a mother, it is service. What more do we do as mothers than to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and minister to those that are sick and afflicted (Jacob 2:19)? How many times as mothers do we bless those that yell at us (in Jaime's case, quite loudly) and do good unto those that despitefully use us and persecute us (3 Nephi 12:44)?

So, my thought is that motherhood can be hard. It is hard to take care of screaming kids that only want to fight you when you are trying to help. They refuse to eat, make it difficult for you to change them, and sometimes deliberately make messes for you to clean up. But, I can't think of a better description of service than the job description of a mother. So, motherhood, bring it on!

Sand Castles on Siesta Key
















- Posted from my iPhone

17 November 2010

Michelle

Oh, and here are a few on Michelle's behalf.





All pictures taken at Justin's party taken by Marquie.

Life


Justin started his new job. I think he likes it. We're excited for the business management work experience, health benefits, salary, and international ties. We are now thinking of moving to Lindon. (I knew you were waiting for me to say China. Maybe someday.)

My dad is staying with us right now. He has a lot of back problems and I'm helping to take care of him. He actually takes care of Jaime much more than I take care of him. He enjoys getting to spend time with her. His and my mom's divorce is now final. It seems a strange end to a 34 year long marriage.

Jaime is sick. I am too, but it's much easier to take care of myself than it is to take care of someone else. Unlike me, Jaime is explosively sick. I've never cleaned up so many disgusting things in my motherhood career. Yay for looking at the future, with multiple children getting sick all at one time.

Justin's birthday was two days ago. He had a party on Saturday and his birthday was spent at his first day on the job. Awesome birthday present? I think so. God does a good job.

16 November 2010

Hello. :)
First of all, I would like to thank Heather for posting that list... hehehe

Second, I would like to tell you something I thought about today on my bike ride home. :O
AFTER I tell you that I have never experienced riding into the wind, and it makes things rather difficult.... along with tires that need to be pumped up... I should do that.

So ANYWAYS!
This may be very obvious to everyone else, but yeah. Whatever.
I was riding my bike up the hill to the MTC from Campus, and I realized that the temple didn't look that far away. And that once I got to the temple, ( I always mark my way home by the MTC), that the ride would be downhill, and significantly easier. Then I thought about my ride TO school. Same thing. Once I got to the temple, it's all a downhill ride. Not downhill bad, downhill as easy. Strange thought... Both ways I go, after I reach the temple, my ride is so much easier. It's like a mile marker. I just have to get to the temple, and then my ride will get a little easier. :)

That's all. I thought it was nice. I had something else to add in about riding my bike up the hill instead of walking, but I don't really remember it. If I remember it WELL, I'll consider posting it for you.
Love you.

Christmas crazy

For all of you, like me who seem to be so confuzzed about the rotation, I post Liz's original fom 2008.
2010
James➙Michelle
Heather➙Justin
Michelle➙Marquie
Justin➙James
Marquie➙Heather

14 November 2010

Sunday.

I LOVE SUNDAY!!!!!
That's all I have to say to you all today. It has just been a pretty great day. I sang in church with a group of girls and it turned out very nice. :) And the hymns for Sacrament Meeting I think were pretty good. And we are pulling together the Christmas program. I love it when people volunteer to sing!!! Hopefully we'll get a violin or a flute in there. Tell me if you have any suggestions!!!
I got to talk to a friend.
And I get to go to family tonight!!!
I love you all!!! Once again!
I hope your Sabbath has been as grand as mine has so far!

How are you running?

1 Corinthians 9:24

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Yes I blogged this during sacrament meeting, but felt impressed to share this thought with you. We are all running, but are we advancing to an appropriate goal? Are we the "one" that will receive the prize?

- Posted from my iPhone

13 November 2010

Love

I just wanted to let you all know that I miss you all so much. And I love you immensely.
I love being able to spend time with all these people here in Utah that I have NEVER seen. :P okay never is kind of extreme, but it's not that far off... I know a lot of you are jealous. Those of you who ya know, don't live here.
But I miss the rest of you SO FREAKING MUCH!!!!!!
I'm very excited about the prospect of seeing you. It's going to make my week go by very slow or very fast. I hope fast.
I love you all tons. <3 and Thank you for being my family. thank you for being you.

I'm gonna starve...

...if the Florida wildlife keeps taking my food.


12 November 2010

Things to make you wish to visit us

That is of course, if you like the sea...





- Posted from my iPhone

#2 beach in the states

Siesta Key Beach. The whitest and finest sand you'll ever find. At least that is what they boast. It is quite impressive.




- Posted from my iPhone

11 November 2010

A success

Hey...I did some laundry today, I was lucky enough to hang out with Jodi (A very nice surprise), and I might even make dinner. (That just means I'll heat up left over spaghetti and slice up french bread...maybe a veggie as well,but no promises.) Obviously my expectations were not high today, must be why I'm feeling so pleasant right now. I accomplished way more than I hoped for...did I mention I got a twenty minute nap...lucky! I would write more, but Jackson doesn't want me to.

Very Touching

Going Home

And one More on this Veterans Day

Here is the link

Remember them all, Please

Click this Link: Going With Honors

10 November 2010

AAAHHHH


What the..... Not a great picture, but I caught this in Mom's basement. Yes, it is as big as the base of the jar it is in. Don't worry Marquie, we will save it for you! I am the coolest mom ever for catching this one!

Displaced?

HI! Yes, we are still here. We up and left Illinois October 28th and headed to Virginia. After a two day drive, we enjoyed a fun carnival at the church with Mom and Dad. After about a week, I finally felt like we were getting settled. Yesterday, was the first day I really felt like I had a handle on the schedule. Things get so crazy with five kids anyway, throw off the schedule and..... So displaced has been trying, fun, and crazy. However, we are to be displaced but a short time. WE GOT THE HOUSE! Liz, we mostly stood our ground. No purchase agreement required, just a simple rental contract. Yeah! Joe will come for Thanksgiving and we will return with him. This is his favorite part. The home is 4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath, with office. It is a little over 3000 square feet. I am so excited for all the drawers in the kitchen! Thanks for all your prayers. I hope you enjoy all the pictures.
A day at the park.


Harvest carnival. We won best dressed family.
A farewell to the sacred cow.
One last breakfast at our favorite whole foods store.
Yard cleanup before the move.

Jaime likes lasagna
in case you were wondering.

College Applications are now a Zinch

Yes, I am now more than a test score. Alright, here's what happened. Last month I had the chance to take a practice LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) for free, which is always a steal. However, I wasn't feeling so great about something. The morning of, I took some time to really ponder and pray about the feelings I was having, and felt that I shouldn't go take the LSAT, but put my focus in other areas. So, since that time I have applied for a few jobs, but with no avail.

Two weeks ago I received a forwarded email from a friend in Arkansas about a job in Lindon, a job using Chinese. I didn't know anything about it, but sent my resume to the person advertising the position. I received a phone call the next day. An interview set up for the day after. A Chinese phone interview for the day after that. Another phone interview the day after that. Another face-to-face interview the day after that. (If you kept track, that was five events in five days, from Monday to Friday). The following Monday I was offered the job. A few minutes later I accepted the job.

Alright, so that was the history. Now about the job.

Zinch is an online-based company that provides services to high school students, high school counselors and parents. They help students find the school they want to go to, assist in securing scholarships, and help schools find the kind of students they are looking for.

In April of this year Zinch launched into China, providing a few basic services to colleges and universities in the States. The first service is to provide schools with an understanding of how to recruit in China. This includes monthly newsletters about what is important to a Chinese family when choosing a university, rules and regulations about recruiting in China, etc. The second service is to actually go out and find students that match the criteria of the schools. This would include doing phone interviews with potential students to understand their backgrounds, and make recommendations to the schools accordingly. The third service is brand management. There are many people who claim to represent top schools in the States. They claim that, for a very high price, they can get you into the school of your choice. So Zinch China finds and reports such activities to the schools being falsely represented.

And now...What do I do? I am the International Customer Success Manager. I act as the liaison between the Zinch China team (made up mostly of Chinese natives, in China) and the clients (the colleges and universities). I make sure the wishes of the clients are relayed to the China team, and that those wishes are realized. I make sure the clients are successful.

Zinch is a young company, but one with great potential, especially since it was just made illegal for colleges and universities to hire recruitment agents, which we are not.

So, there it is in a nutshell :) If you have any questions, wait until I go through training, then you can ask.

09 November 2010

It is Appreciated

Just want to thank everyone who contributes to the family blog. It helps keep me connected and grounded with my family while I travel and I really do appreciate it. Love Dad

08 November 2010

JUSTIN GOT THE JOB!

I'm sorry if you don't know what I'm talking about, but I'm sure one of us will blog in detail soon.

06 November 2010

Fun at Mount Vernon


I know I just blogged this but that was a field trip blog and this is a fun family get together blog. :)
Today we went to Mount Vernon and were excited to have the Petersen's and mom join us. We had a great time touring the grounds and the house. It is a beautiful home and the grounds are simply splendid! The kids and I got to go see the tomb together while Heather and mom took care of the baby. They did a great job staying with their buddy-I love the buddy system!

It was so much fun seeing the kids play in the children's room. I am so glad that those rooms exist. There was even a puzzle book for kids that they filled out as we went through the tour. At the end they got a prize for completing the puzzles . It was fun to help them learn as we figured out the puzzles together. And they got a Mount Vernon smashed penny at the end. It was perfect because they learned, had something special to do and got a free souvenir. It just doesn't get better than that!



Our time at moms has been bitter sweet as we enjoy one last visit with Heather's family before they head off to Florida, which is just so far away. We have been blessed to live near them for the last year and a half and are sad to see them go. But we are excited to hear of their new adventures and eventually go visit them in Florida! I mean afterall, who doesn't want to go play in Florida!

05 November 2010

Just saw your kitchen photos James

So Michelle just showed me your kitchen photos on your blog and it looks great! I did have one question though... how many times did you hold back prophanities installing that island?

03 November 2010

Blind Obedience

I know that sometimes members of the church are accused of blind obedience which I have never understood. How could anyone just blindly obey? Well, I had the opportunity to discover what this is like tonight. After a great day in Boston we headed towards Philadelphia following a set of directions that James printed off for me before we left. During the daytime following the directions is usually simple and often at night they are simple to follow and make a lot of sense. But tonight we drove near New York City to New Jersey following some more complex directions than I was used to in an area I was completely unfamiliar with. But I followed them and just trusted that they were correct. I will be honest that it was not a feeling that I liked. I like to be in control and know where I am going at all times, so just following a list on a piece of paper that seemed to not make sense was really rough for me. It probably didn't help that NY/NJ drivers scare me just a bit. So, what was my point, well I'm not really sure but I am pretty sure now that I do not blindly obey anyone as now I feel like I better understand what that would feel like. Though, I must admit that we did get exactly where we meant to, so while it was not ideal it did work, so in the end obedience does work. :)

I just want you all to know...

I just want you all to know I love you very much...and I'm tired of being tired.:)