Finally!

All the way back in April 2011 (wow, how is that almost a year ago!?!) Tim was offered a job with a law firm here in AZ. We were ecstatic, grateful, and felt blessed that in this economy Tim had a job lined up before graduation. In May we moved back to AZ and Tim started studying for the Bar. Often he studied at the law firm he would soon be working for. In June he took the Bar and from June to October he worked as we waited and waited for his Bar results.

  Tim found out that he passed on a Friday. The following Tuesday he was told that the firm he was at could no longer offer him a full-time position. This did not come as a shock to us. The work was s-l-o-w during the summer and we worried, but we just hoped that things would turn around. The day Tim heard the news he texted me that he did not have a full-time job anymore. Within two minutes of getting that text my Grandma Heyman and Aunt Lori showed up at my doorstep with some treats. I remember opening the door, seeing their faces, them saying something, and all I could say was, "I'm going to cry!" I then burst into tears and explained how almost 6 months later we were in the awful job market again. I felt like Heavenly Father sent them directly to my doorstep. I needed someone right then. Although I was not surprised, I cried and I was upset. Tim? He was confident and felt calm. I needed him to feel that way.

A few days later I was going through some pictures when I came across this:

This is a picture from my Dad getting sworn-in back in October of 1983. My first thought was, "I definitely did not inherit my mom's tiny waistline." My second thought was, "Things will be ok." With my parents in a different country, I treasured this photo. I felt like their smiles were saying, "It'll work out!" The look on their faces says it all. What a great day! They had just accomplished a goal that they had sacrificed and hoped for. It was a tender mercy to find this picture in the midst of my anxiety.

We had family and friends fasting and praying for us and by November Tim was offered another job. I met the people at his firm the week before my birthday and couldn't help but be in awe at how everything turned out. He is so happy at his new job and I am so grateful for the kind people he works with.

Now, almost 3 months later, we finally reached our goal as well. Tim was sworn in today and I couldn't be more proud of him.

My handsome attorney!

Things along the way did not go as planned, but I am grateful for where we are now. I'm even more grateful for the tender mercies from my Heavenly Father, the love of family and friends, and the example of TRay during our little journey.

Now, anyone need an attorney?? 

Just Like his Brother

Remember this nursery treasure?

We got a new one this week. 

Apparently my kids are really happy that Jesus loves them. 

Superbowl + 20 Monther

Our neighbors are a great family that love to throw parties. They threw a Superbowl party that was amazing! The highlight for the boys (including Tim) was the cotton candy machine:

Bear was a little unsure about the sticky mess, but once I helped him get a little taste he was all about doing it himself.

Kyle's other favorite spot was the inflatable bounce/slide thing. He could see this from the backyard and was so excited to go on it:

My favorite part of the party was the catered Mexican food. It's so nice to be back in AZ with good Mexican food! (Yes, I realize I sound like a heifer right now but I was deprived of good Mexican food for 3 years in TX!) Unfortunately there are no pictures of me eating.

In other news, our little Bear is now 20 months old! It hurts my heart. Slow down Bear! He is starting to talk more and loves when he makes us laugh. Most of his words I think other people would have a hard time understanding, but he says: Mama, apple, banana, oval, "there it is," papa, Elmo, ba-ball for ball, bye, hello, hot dog, amen and signs milk, all done, and please. He makes a bunch of animal noises, but his favorite seems to be "quacking." He also sings, "Dora, Dora, Dora!" It's hilarious. He makes a gulping sound anytime he sees water which cracks me up. He refuses to say, "Dada," although at times it accidentally slips. He calls Tim and Kyle, "Mama," and Kyle always says, "I'm not your mama!" Usually when he ask him to say Dada he shakes his head no.

He weighs 32 lbs, 4 oz. which is bigger than Kyle at this age. At breakfast he always wants eggs and cereal. He won't drink milk... unless it's in this form: 

Bear loves playing in the dirt lot outside, copying Kyle, sitting in my lap to read books, playing on the iPad, watching Elmo and giving loves to people he likes. He has recently discovered jumping which looks more like a gallop. He cries when I drop Kyle off at pre-school and always has to walk in by himself when we pick Kyle up. He is getting more stubborn and independent. He bites when he's mad and now enjoys time-out when he deserves it :).

I thought for turning 20 months he deserved even hair, but the hairstylist decided to cut a bunch of length even though I told her we like it long. At least it grows! He was very unsure about the experience.

Oh his face in those pics just cracks me up. I love this little boy!

Real Life

Last week I was online reading about insurance when Tim said to me, "What? No new blog still?" And I replied,

"What do you want me to write about? How I've been sick for two weeks, 

we need insurance, 

one of my kids hugged a cactus,

 I found another one with an ax, 

the boys haven't seen you in two days, 

I feel like I haven't talked to you all week,

 and I have a headache?"

That's real life folks, and sometimes I do think it is important to write it all down. Because here I am, just a few days later healthy and neither one of my boys is wearing a band-aid or missing a limb. Kyle may have woken up dry heaving this morning, but you wouldn't know it now. And I have learned a lot these past two weeks. I have been humbled. I have been prompted. I have been humbled again. And I have learned that the more bad days I have, the less I judge other people around me. Yes my kid was screaming and biting me while I was trying to check out at the grocery store. We needed milk and I had a fever the day before, so don't judge me old lady looking at me for more than the appropriate two seconds before it gets awkward!

And I was talking to my cousin today when I realized, does, "You have your hands full!" really mean, "Your kids are crazy!"? Or does it mean, "I admire you for talking your kids out in public and trying to teach them manners and how to behave around others and what volume is and isn't appropriate to use when singing, "Old Mcdonald had a Farm," at the store." Because really, such nice looking people have told me I have my hands full and I like to think it means the latter explanation.

Living the life of a mom. I love it.