The last month has gone by so quickly. We moved into our new home in The Dalles in the beginning of the month, Karl and I both started our new jobs, and the boys have been adjusting to being at a babysitter's house 4 days a week. It all seemed to have happened within a few days of each other. We got moved in (but boxes everywhere...and still kind of are everywhere...) and I received a phone call a few days later from my employer, telling me that I was going to start work on the 16th. Karl got a phone call that same week from his employer (which also happens to be his LAST employer) and he started a week after me. We were kind of frantic to find childcare becasue I hadn't found a daycare in town that accepted children under 1 year old and being Cooper is only 8 months old, it was going to be expensive to have someone come to the house to watch the boys. Fortunately, the manager of the daycare Donovan used to go to has a Daughter-in-law here in town that watches kids and she was gracious enough to take the boys. They have been there one week already and they love her and her kids! My guilt for leaving them doesn't seem so bad now, knowing that they enjoy going over there. I'm sure getting there at 6am is still a shocker to them but they seem to be adjusting well.
I'm enjoying being back in the workforce, although it is still taking some getting used to. Between working full time, going to school full time, and still being a mom, life is pretty exhausting right now! But I am almost done with school. I have three classes left and then I'll have my B.A. in Hospitality Management. Combine that with the Contract and Purchasing experience I'm getting at work and I'll be set! :) The job is pretty interesting and once I get done with training, I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it.
Karl is back with MCP and is now working at the farm store that is owned by the Co-op. He seems to be enjoying the work and reconnecting with the farmers he got to know. His hours are pretty much the same as mine except his days are a little staggered. But he says he doesn't mind; he's just glad to be going to work again.
Donovan is growing like a weed! 3 1/2 years old and shows every bit of it. He has been on a singing kick lately and everything is a song. And some of the words he comes up with are pretty hilarious. Karl and I are finding that we have to watch what we say because Donovan is pretty quick to repeat.
Cooper is now 8 months old and is "practicing" standing without holding on. He's eating food pretty well and is finding his voice. In finding, I mean he screams at the top of his lungs until someone reacts. And I'm pretty sure he's my "quiet" kid...
Well, other than work, school, and everything in-between, this household has been pretty busy. And as tired as we all are, I am grateful that Karl and I are able to provide for our family and continue on our path to becoming debt free. Slowly but surely...
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
May 25, 2014
I can't believe it's been over am month since I have posted. I have to thank a friend of mine for telling me that I am slacking on the blog and need to update. So the latest and greatest in the Ihrke family; Cooper has decided he's had enough of being a baby and has advanced to sitting up, crawling, and standing (with a few steps while holding on...). Yes, my 7 month old baby is diving into toddlerhood without consulting his mother! It's been really neat for his grandparents to see all of this happening, although it seems as though all of this happened within a few days of each other. He is now eating baby food and sleeping in a crib. Seven months ago today we moved from Washington...where has the time gone?!?
Donovan is suffering from allergies pretty bad and it seems as though we can't find anything to help. He refuses any kind of medicine (he IS his mother's son..haha) and the few times we have been able to "trick" him into taking some allergy medicine, it has helped. But you can't tell a three year old anything. Somehow we have to figure out how to make him think it's HIS idea to take medicine! His vocabulary is becoming more extensive and he surprises me daily with some of the things he says. And he's becoming quite the "role model" for his little brother. The tantrums we all get to witness are mimicked quite nicely by Cooper. One of the joys of being a parent, I suppose....
Well, today is my 31st birthday (well, 25th really...) and we are all headed to the Portland area for a early Memorial Day celebration at My Mother-in-law's cousin's home. It seems as though it will be a decent day for it. And next week we head down to California for my little brother's wedding. It's a good thing all of this is happening before I start work (whenever THAT may be). I'm still waiting on a start date and they are still waiting on my background check to be conducted. I guess the company that runs background investigations is behind and it has been just over a month since I sent an initial request. In the meantime, we are getting ready to move into our "new" home in The Dalles and I am looking forward to decorating and getting our home settled. I have interviewed a couple of people regarding childcare and now it's just about making that final decision. I asked my sister the other day why childcare is so flippin expensive and her reply is one I hadn't thought about before. She said "because you are paying someone to take care of what is most precious to you". When i think of it that way, the cost shouldn't be a factor. On the other hand, when your entire paycheck goes to paying childcare, cost IS a factor. When Karl starts working again, I won't stress out about it quite so much.
Well, off to get ready for the day and enjoy some bbq and family! Hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day on Monday and until next time...
V/R
Shara
Donovan is suffering from allergies pretty bad and it seems as though we can't find anything to help. He refuses any kind of medicine (he IS his mother's son..haha) and the few times we have been able to "trick" him into taking some allergy medicine, it has helped. But you can't tell a three year old anything. Somehow we have to figure out how to make him think it's HIS idea to take medicine! His vocabulary is becoming more extensive and he surprises me daily with some of the things he says. And he's becoming quite the "role model" for his little brother. The tantrums we all get to witness are mimicked quite nicely by Cooper. One of the joys of being a parent, I suppose....
Well, today is my 31st birthday (well, 25th really...) and we are all headed to the Portland area for a early Memorial Day celebration at My Mother-in-law's cousin's home. It seems as though it will be a decent day for it. And next week we head down to California for my little brother's wedding. It's a good thing all of this is happening before I start work (whenever THAT may be). I'm still waiting on a start date and they are still waiting on my background check to be conducted. I guess the company that runs background investigations is behind and it has been just over a month since I sent an initial request. In the meantime, we are getting ready to move into our "new" home in The Dalles and I am looking forward to decorating and getting our home settled. I have interviewed a couple of people regarding childcare and now it's just about making that final decision. I asked my sister the other day why childcare is so flippin expensive and her reply is one I hadn't thought about before. She said "because you are paying someone to take care of what is most precious to you". When i think of it that way, the cost shouldn't be a factor. On the other hand, when your entire paycheck goes to paying childcare, cost IS a factor. When Karl starts working again, I won't stress out about it quite so much.
Well, off to get ready for the day and enjoy some bbq and family! Hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day on Monday and until next time...
V/R
Shara
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Minnie Mouse
I have recently taken on some sewing projects and am excited to show my 2nd apron I've ever made! This is for my best friend's little girl, who happens to love Minnie Mouse. Here is my take on Minnie:
April 23, 2014
I'm beginning to think that we have no control over what happens to our paths in life and are all at the mercy of something greater. ;) After a lovely week at my Grandmother's house in California, we had made the decision that we were absolutely moving down there. The trip home was an all-nighter, although it was less quiet than the trip down there..., and we filled the hours with discussion about our plans once we moved down. The plan was to get back to Oregon, buy a travel trailer, severely down-size our "stuff", and move onto my Grandmother;s ranch for a bit until we found jobs and got established. This was the "plan"...
The day we got home, it was about 9:30 am and the only thing we could think to do was to crawl into bed and get some sleep. Poor Karl had driven most of the night and hadn't slept at all. After a few hours of shut-eye, I woke up to a phone call. Normally I don't answer numbers I don't know but for some reason I answered this one. It was a representative from the Army Corps of Engineers who was interested in talking to me about my application I had submitted back in February. Now, when we were in CA I had received an email saying that the position had already been filled and I was not chosen, so I just assumed that meant I didn't get the job. Silly me! The woman on the phone explained to me what the position was and asked me if I would still like to be considered for an interview, as I was her top candidate. This was NOT a time to discuss this with my sleeping husband in the next room so I promptly said yes. I got off the phone excited and a bit confused. Here was an amazing opportunity to get my foot in the door with a Government agency and yet we had JUST made concrete plans to move to CA. Well, obviously that concrete hadn't hardened yet because a week later I went in for an interview (which went BEAUTIFULLY!) and I was informally offered the position as a Supply Technician at The Dalles Dam in The Dalles, Oregon. I informally accepted the position. The last few days have consisted of finding a home closer to the dam so I don't have to drive a 40 minutes commute every morning. I haven't received a formal offer from the headquarters in Portland but I was told to expect their call this week with a start date, beginning salary, and all the fun stuff that goes along with working for a government agency. This position is considered a paid internship and was only open to candidates that are currently in the process of obtaining their Bachelors Degrees. As I have about 9 classes left before I earn my degree, I was told this would be a good fit schedule-wise and military experience-wise. After I graduate, I could be offered a full-time position, which means I would be eligible for transfers throughout the Corps. I also receive permanent employee benefits such as health, dental, and retirement, and my military time counts toward my retirement! How awesome it that?!?
Karl is going to be a stay-at-home-dad for a bit while we get established and although I wouldn't mind putting Donovan in daycare again, I'm getting really tired of all the colds and sicknesses that somehow leak their way into the house. And I think Cooper is too young to go to daycare. We've looked a a couple houses and have put in an application for one that we particularly like that has a huge yard and plenty of space for Karl to tinker on his cars. I'm submitting the application today for it. Fingers crossed!
I can't help but laugh at the way our "plans" go. The joke is "we make plans until God tells us our next step". This rings very true the last few months. I have found that when I seem to get ahead of our "plans" and try to move forward a bit too quickly, I hear in my head "everything in its proper order". I can't tell you why I hear that or who's voice I'm hearing but it seems to settle my quickness and causes me to step back and evaluate the choices I am attempting to make. I am trying not to over analyze the next few weeks and what my job will TRULY be like. I am focusing on the things I do have control over and keeping my expectations in check about the reality of our situation. I am a planner by nature and it doesn't bode well when my plans are trumped by higher plans. With that being said, I feel even more grateful today than I did yesterday for the blessings in my life (even if those blessings are filling every corner of this house with noise!). I can't wait for this new chapter to begin!
V/R
Shara
p.s.
And yes, we are still in the process of paying off our debt via Dave Ramsey Debt Snowball Plan. In 6 months, we have been able to pay off 5 debts! Onward we go!
The day we got home, it was about 9:30 am and the only thing we could think to do was to crawl into bed and get some sleep. Poor Karl had driven most of the night and hadn't slept at all. After a few hours of shut-eye, I woke up to a phone call. Normally I don't answer numbers I don't know but for some reason I answered this one. It was a representative from the Army Corps of Engineers who was interested in talking to me about my application I had submitted back in February. Now, when we were in CA I had received an email saying that the position had already been filled and I was not chosen, so I just assumed that meant I didn't get the job. Silly me! The woman on the phone explained to me what the position was and asked me if I would still like to be considered for an interview, as I was her top candidate. This was NOT a time to discuss this with my sleeping husband in the next room so I promptly said yes. I got off the phone excited and a bit confused. Here was an amazing opportunity to get my foot in the door with a Government agency and yet we had JUST made concrete plans to move to CA. Well, obviously that concrete hadn't hardened yet because a week later I went in for an interview (which went BEAUTIFULLY!) and I was informally offered the position as a Supply Technician at The Dalles Dam in The Dalles, Oregon. I informally accepted the position. The last few days have consisted of finding a home closer to the dam so I don't have to drive a 40 minutes commute every morning. I haven't received a formal offer from the headquarters in Portland but I was told to expect their call this week with a start date, beginning salary, and all the fun stuff that goes along with working for a government agency. This position is considered a paid internship and was only open to candidates that are currently in the process of obtaining their Bachelors Degrees. As I have about 9 classes left before I earn my degree, I was told this would be a good fit schedule-wise and military experience-wise. After I graduate, I could be offered a full-time position, which means I would be eligible for transfers throughout the Corps. I also receive permanent employee benefits such as health, dental, and retirement, and my military time counts toward my retirement! How awesome it that?!?
Karl is going to be a stay-at-home-dad for a bit while we get established and although I wouldn't mind putting Donovan in daycare again, I'm getting really tired of all the colds and sicknesses that somehow leak their way into the house. And I think Cooper is too young to go to daycare. We've looked a a couple houses and have put in an application for one that we particularly like that has a huge yard and plenty of space for Karl to tinker on his cars. I'm submitting the application today for it. Fingers crossed!
I can't help but laugh at the way our "plans" go. The joke is "we make plans until God tells us our next step". This rings very true the last few months. I have found that when I seem to get ahead of our "plans" and try to move forward a bit too quickly, I hear in my head "everything in its proper order". I can't tell you why I hear that or who's voice I'm hearing but it seems to settle my quickness and causes me to step back and evaluate the choices I am attempting to make. I am trying not to over analyze the next few weeks and what my job will TRULY be like. I am focusing on the things I do have control over and keeping my expectations in check about the reality of our situation. I am a planner by nature and it doesn't bode well when my plans are trumped by higher plans. With that being said, I feel even more grateful today than I did yesterday for the blessings in my life (even if those blessings are filling every corner of this house with noise!). I can't wait for this new chapter to begin!
V/R
Shara
p.s.
And yes, we are still in the process of paying off our debt via Dave Ramsey Debt Snowball Plan. In 6 months, we have been able to pay off 5 debts! Onward we go!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
March 26, 2014
Well, we're on the move again! After the last few weeks of some questionable ethical behavior by Karl's boss, we have decided to head further south to California. I always thought I would never go back but this has been a year of "eating my words"! Yesterday marked 5 months since we moved in with my in-laws and although we will miss them, I'm sure they would like some peace and quiet back into their home. We are heading down to California next week to look around and see where we would like to settle (and where there is work). It will be nice to see my side of the family again after a few months ;) Seems about every three months or so I make my way down there.
Cooper is now 5 months old and is mastering the "worm", which means he's scooting like an inch worm. The drool has doubled in the last month and Karl says he felt a little nub in his gum lines. Looks like some teeth may be poppin through! I can't help but feel a little excitement at the prospect of my boys growing up around their cousins. I know Donovan has told me a few times that he wants to live with his cousin Grace (Nicole's oldest daughter) and Grace returned the statement by telling my mom that Donovan can be her little brother! Looks like Cooper might be left out of that one! Donovan has been asking to go to Grace's house for a few weeks now, before we even knew we were moving. Looks like Donovan has chosen his 'favorite' cousin, although that may not be the case vice versa....he has a way of annoying her PRETTY quick! haha.
So this is a short entry as my oldest is running around like a crazy kid and my youngest is so tired that he's screaming at the top of his lungs. I sure hope this this teething phase goes quickly! We ALL need some sleep!!!
Shara
Cooper is now 5 months old and is mastering the "worm", which means he's scooting like an inch worm. The drool has doubled in the last month and Karl says he felt a little nub in his gum lines. Looks like some teeth may be poppin through! I can't help but feel a little excitement at the prospect of my boys growing up around their cousins. I know Donovan has told me a few times that he wants to live with his cousin Grace (Nicole's oldest daughter) and Grace returned the statement by telling my mom that Donovan can be her little brother! Looks like Cooper might be left out of that one! Donovan has been asking to go to Grace's house for a few weeks now, before we even knew we were moving. Looks like Donovan has chosen his 'favorite' cousin, although that may not be the case vice versa....he has a way of annoying her PRETTY quick! haha.
So this is a short entry as my oldest is running around like a crazy kid and my youngest is so tired that he's screaming at the top of his lungs. I sure hope this this teething phase goes quickly! We ALL need some sleep!!!
Shara
Friday, March 14, 2014
March 14, 2014
I've been asked several times if I plan on writing any more on my blog. I was pleased to hear that it is, in fact, being read! The last two weeks seem to have flown by and although nothing "exciting" has happened, it may be time for an update. Cooper has made up his mind that rolling no longer holds its appeal as much as scooting. Not too long ago, he had made his way across the living room on his tummy under the watchful eyes of his grandparents! No doubt he'll be sitting up on his own in no time and as my mom says, I'll have a walking 7 month old! YIKES! he's particularly cranky the past few weeks because those dang teeth are wanting to make a debut. I've never seen so much drool come from such a small person! Donovan drooled for a bit but that was right before his first tooth popped in at around 8 months. So we wait...
I was asked a few days ago if I was interested in working part-time at Donovan's daycare because they haven't had a very good retention rate for the past few months and they were in desperate need for some more help. I accepted and this morning was my first day. Let's just say I appreciate my children a lot more than I previously did! And I have to have respect for the woman that runs the facility! I don't plan on making this a career (for sure!) but I do get to bring my kids to work and gt paid for it! Plus, it has been so nice out the last few days and I've been able to get out of the house with the kids. I plan on walking to work as much as I can so that I am 'bathing suit' ready for our Hawaii trip next summer. It will be our first kid-free vacation and I cannot wait!!!
We got some exciting news recently that my older brother proposed to his girlfriend and are in the midst of planning a wedding for either later this year or early next year. My younger brother and his wife are having a ceremony and reception in May to celebrate their marriage. They did what Karl and I did and got married at the courthouse a few years ago and waited until they were back in California to host the traditional wedding. Karl and I had planned on doing the same thing this year but with the arrival of Cooper, a big move to another state, and our financial focus, we may push it back for another year or two. I'm not sure why it is so important to me that I wear a wedding dress once in my life but I think the main reason I want to do a wedding ceremony (or vow renewal) and reception is because I feel like I cheated some out of that experience (and not necessarily on my side of the family). All this wedding planning and excitement really reaffirms my desire to have a 'wedding'.
Well, another lovely weekend ahead and there will be some 'spring cleaning' going on. I guess it's true that fresh air truly clears the mind. Just in the last four days I have been walking and I feel less tense and less stressed out. Plus my kids like riding in the double stroller and I get quite a workout. It just needs to warm up a bit more so we can explore the hiking trails along the Columbia Gorge. Big plans this summer!!!
I look forward to the next few weeks and what they will bring. I pray for the patience to continue down the path I am headed and the motivation to stay the course. I just try to remember in times of frustration that these are temporary situations. In the meantime, I'll live my life the best way I know how; with love.
V/R
Shara
Cooper's new dapper mustache! Well, it was Donovan's but Cooper was the only one that would wear it!
"Must play video game...."
Sweet little 3 year old!!!
The silly boys in their matching jammies.
I was asked a few days ago if I was interested in working part-time at Donovan's daycare because they haven't had a very good retention rate for the past few months and they were in desperate need for some more help. I accepted and this morning was my first day. Let's just say I appreciate my children a lot more than I previously did! And I have to have respect for the woman that runs the facility! I don't plan on making this a career (for sure!) but I do get to bring my kids to work and gt paid for it! Plus, it has been so nice out the last few days and I've been able to get out of the house with the kids. I plan on walking to work as much as I can so that I am 'bathing suit' ready for our Hawaii trip next summer. It will be our first kid-free vacation and I cannot wait!!!
We got some exciting news recently that my older brother proposed to his girlfriend and are in the midst of planning a wedding for either later this year or early next year. My younger brother and his wife are having a ceremony and reception in May to celebrate their marriage. They did what Karl and I did and got married at the courthouse a few years ago and waited until they were back in California to host the traditional wedding. Karl and I had planned on doing the same thing this year but with the arrival of Cooper, a big move to another state, and our financial focus, we may push it back for another year or two. I'm not sure why it is so important to me that I wear a wedding dress once in my life but I think the main reason I want to do a wedding ceremony (or vow renewal) and reception is because I feel like I cheated some out of that experience (and not necessarily on my side of the family). All this wedding planning and excitement really reaffirms my desire to have a 'wedding'.
Well, another lovely weekend ahead and there will be some 'spring cleaning' going on. I guess it's true that fresh air truly clears the mind. Just in the last four days I have been walking and I feel less tense and less stressed out. Plus my kids like riding in the double stroller and I get quite a workout. It just needs to warm up a bit more so we can explore the hiking trails along the Columbia Gorge. Big plans this summer!!!
I look forward to the next few weeks and what they will bring. I pray for the patience to continue down the path I am headed and the motivation to stay the course. I just try to remember in times of frustration that these are temporary situations. In the meantime, I'll live my life the best way I know how; with love.
V/R
Shara
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
How has this happened? My little boy is going to be three in two days! The last few days have really had me thinking about the past three years and how much has changed for our family. In three years we have moved six times, been through a few jobs, and added an addition. Donovan has grown into such an independent, smart, and sweet little boy. Don't get me wrong, he has his moments of the infamous "terrible twos" (or many "terrible threes" soon?) but those moments and milestones he has reached and continues to reach has made me feel very blessed to be his mother. Not to mention, the love and attention he pays to his little brother makes my heart burst. He's the first to tell me when Cooper is upset and will run over and say "it's okay, Cooper. it's okay!" or randomly walk up to him and rub his head and say "brother so tute!" (yes, "tute" is "cute" in our house!). All of these moments make me wonder where the past three years went!
Cooper is now 4 months old...what??? Seems like yesterday we were at the hospital waiting for him to make his debut. Now he wakes me up every morning with a big grin and lots of giggles! He's always so happy to see his Grandma Ihrke and loves to fall asleep on her shoulder. She often says that it does her heart good to receive his smiles and I know it does my heart good as well. I have found myself often thanking God for the amazing people in my life and thanking Him for his abundance of blessings.
On a different note, I made the bread and it turned out AH-MAZ-ING! :) It tastes just like my Grandma Huisman's bread but the loaves turned out a bit funky! Obviously the loaf malformation didn't deter my husband or my son from eating it as I made 6 loaves on Sunday and we are down to 2! okay, okay, I am guilty of scarfing down a few slices ;) As for the apron, well....it turned out looking like a 5 year old sewed it but it's functional. I got a bit more ambitious and began a Minnie Mouse dress-up apron for my best friend's 2 year old daughter. I have to admit, this one is looking MUCH better! Maybe because it's for someone else??? Maybe I'll post some pictures when I'm done with it. I've been using Donovan as a model and he's not too amused. haha. On top of all my craft projects, school, and taking care of babies, I have been searching for employment. Not much here in the way of jobs but I have been able to find a few that can translate to my military experience. I feel as though I am at a crossroads though when it comes to careers. I know what field I want to pursue and yet our goal of becoming debt free is holding me back. Maybe when the boys start school we'll have the means for me to pursue further education. In the meantime, I'm going to live for the moment, plan on the future, and not hold my breath!
V/R
Shara
Cooper is now 4 months old...what??? Seems like yesterday we were at the hospital waiting for him to make his debut. Now he wakes me up every morning with a big grin and lots of giggles! He's always so happy to see his Grandma Ihrke and loves to fall asleep on her shoulder. She often says that it does her heart good to receive his smiles and I know it does my heart good as well. I have found myself often thanking God for the amazing people in my life and thanking Him for his abundance of blessings.
On a different note, I made the bread and it turned out AH-MAZ-ING! :) It tastes just like my Grandma Huisman's bread but the loaves turned out a bit funky! Obviously the loaf malformation didn't deter my husband or my son from eating it as I made 6 loaves on Sunday and we are down to 2! okay, okay, I am guilty of scarfing down a few slices ;) As for the apron, well....it turned out looking like a 5 year old sewed it but it's functional. I got a bit more ambitious and began a Minnie Mouse dress-up apron for my best friend's 2 year old daughter. I have to admit, this one is looking MUCH better! Maybe because it's for someone else??? Maybe I'll post some pictures when I'm done with it. I've been using Donovan as a model and he's not too amused. haha. On top of all my craft projects, school, and taking care of babies, I have been searching for employment. Not much here in the way of jobs but I have been able to find a few that can translate to my military experience. I feel as though I am at a crossroads though when it comes to careers. I know what field I want to pursue and yet our goal of becoming debt free is holding me back. Maybe when the boys start school we'll have the means for me to pursue further education. In the meantime, I'm going to live for the moment, plan on the future, and not hold my breath!
V/R
Shara
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