Hopeful...

I can't believe it's almost July! I am seriously looking forward to the holiday weekend and all it has in store! This is George's first American Independence Day and we are both looking forward to it. (We're also doggysitting Tuck Tuck for the weekend...should be an experience!)

Last year, was quite another story. I was just looking at pictures from last year's celebration and it seems so far away! My parents had just moved to their new house, all my Texas siblings had come to town and I was heartbroken. I was full of anxiety, weary from waiting, sad about so many things, had huge decisions on my plate, and frankly, I was mad at the world. I'm pretty sure I ended up crying in my mom's room while everyone else was partying outside.

This year will be very different. It's nice how things change.

I'm hoping our job situation will be the same way. Things don't exactly look fabulous right now, but that doesn't mean it will always be that way. I'm hopeful.

God keeps me on my toes...

Things were beginning to settle down and look like some sort of normal. Well, we just can't handle that, so George and I are making some changes to keep life interesting! I kid....kind of.

Things really were starting to settle down and we were getting very comfortable in our little life in our fabulous apartment. I should have known that couldn't last for long!

We've been talking a lot about jobs for both of us and what our future may look like. George is pretty desperate-he needs to be working! I'm not desperate yet, but as the bacon bringer, I could become desperate very quickly. In the midst of these discussions about what steps we should take for a positive future, our apartment informed us that our rent would be going up...a lot. They wouldn't tell us how much is was going up because they wanted to see what they could do about it. While we waited for three days to hear the verdict, we started to contemplate moving....and we started to look around. After much thought, prayer, research and discussion, we have made a decision: WE'RE MOVING!!

This is a great step in the right direction and we know it's the right thing. However, on the selfish side, there are a few things I'm just a little bit sad to lose. Since this is my blog, I'll share them... I L-O-V-E our apartment! It was my first place all on my own and OUR first place together- there's just something sweet about that! I love my 10' ceilings; I love the HUGE crown mouldings; I love the designer lighting and ceramic tile; I love the big living room, I love the closet space; I love, love, love the gigantic garden tub!! Those are the things I'm really going to miss! The new place is by no means a dump! It's actually a newer complex, but it is a little smaller and not quite as luxurious. We have just been very, very blessed with this apartment!

For every one thing I'm going to miss, there are two or three good things about the new place. Location was the biggest factor in moving. The new place has dozens of places within SAFE walking or biking distance where George (or I) could work- that's HUGE! The new place is right around the corner from my parents-sweet!-we love them and it's nice to know we have transportation or other help so close by. It's closer to a major highway so if we were to commute to future jobs, it will take less time and won't require expensive tolls- again, HUGE! It's in the neighborhood where we eventually want to buy a house, so it's a nice "test drive" before we own (Ha! That is, if we ever get jobs that would allow to buy a house!). I love that it's in a neighborhood, we live off of a highway right now, so if we want to take a walk, we have to drive to get to a suitable place! We were also able to sign for 17 months...that's a huge level of stability that I think we really need right now.

I'm really proud of my man that he took this decision so seriously and that he is willing to make huge adjustments to be the man he wants to be and to provide for our family. I can imagine how difficult it would be to give up the one place that is truly familiar in a new country. I'm just so blessed by him...he's very selfless- for the present and the future!

We're excited about the future and the possibilities this move opens up. We feel like God is really moving us in this direction and hoping for some other big changes to go along with the housing change! While we wait for our lease to end (August) we're searching like crazy for jobs in the new 'hood....and, when I've searched until I can search no more...I get to sketch out how we will decorate the new place. :)

GHANA!!!!!!

Yesterday's game against the US was awesome!! I've taken some flack for being a Ghana fan, but I don't care! It was awesome and I'm proud of them!

Fail.

Apparently that second phone interview was worse than I thought! I'm officially rejected. I'm hoping that just means there's an even better job for me...and hopefully soon!

Well...

I just finished my second phone interview....hmmmm. The first chick I interviewed with told me to allow 30-40 minutes for this interview. It took 15 minutes! I don't know if that's a good thing or not. It was kind of weird. I couldn't hear the lady very well and she was kind of cold. All the questions were behavioral, based on past work experience (I was prepared for this, thanks to my big bro-apparently this style of interviewing is the "in" thing right now).

My answers were fine, I by no means "bombed" the interview, but I definitely wouldn't say that I was stellar. She asked about how I have handled a bad review or request to do something better. Ummm....this sounds bad, but I haven't had one. I'm a pretty kick-A employee (no, I didn't say that last part or word it that way). The point is, that sounds terrible, I needed an awesome story about how I handle criticism well! I couldn't lie though. None of the questions pertained to this position and I wasn't able to ask any either. It was just a bit odd. I guess I have a lot of learning to do!

I don't know what to think! I really want this job, but I don't exactly feel confident. :-/ I should hear back in a week or so. Time for more waiting and praying....

Updates...

My phone interview went well today; it was more of a screening than an actual interview. I have a second, more in depth phone interview on Tuesday-I'm hoping the kiddies cooperate with it and nap!

George found out that he did not get the job that he's been waiting to hear back on. He's so excited for my job prospect though, that it hasn't gotten him down too much. (He even had me try on my interview outfit and took pictures-like a kid trying their first day of school outfit. Too cute! I love him so much!!) We are praying earnestly for some change soon!

The driving lessons are going well! I have only been nervous once! George is definitely on the driving fast-track...if I weren't so protective and cautious, he would be driving us everywhere! And you know, it's really nice to be driven around for a change. :) I'm continually amazed by how many new things George takes in-he handles everything so well that sometimes I forget that this is all new to him!

World Cup continues to be a constant in our home-I hear the sound of those vuvuzelas in my sleep! It's been a lot of fun actually. While I certainly enjoy the games, not the way G does! I'm glad he has this distraction and level of familiarity while things are tough...it's a good thing. :) Tomorrow, Ghana plays Australia.....GO GHANA!!

Phone Interviews...

I have a phone interview with The American Cancer Society on Friday. PLEASE pray that it goes well! I really, really want this job and it would be such a wonderful blessing to us!

Also, George had a surprise phone interview today! Please pray that something great comes from that.

We are both encouraged that our resumes are truly being seen by people. Praying for great news....

Staycation!

I have the week off so G and I are taking advantage of the staycation to rest, get things done and search for jobs like there's no tomorrow!

Yesterday was great! I stayed in bed til 10! We watched the World Cup matches (Japan...who knew!?) and worked on something very important. We went to the DPS and George got his driving permit! This is a HUGE step towards being independent and truly assimilating to this culture. It's close to impossible to function where we live without a car and license. I am very proud of him and we've already started driving lessons! We celebrated with a great lunch and window shopping and just loved being together and having time off. We even looked at a Morkie puppy-no, we're not getting one, but they are SO CUTE!

Today has been good, but a little bit harder. We've really pounded the pavement. I took G to every retail place in a short driving distance from us and he asked over and over and over again if they were hiring. Most places weren't hiring, a few were, and several said to apply online. Ugh. I was so proud of him, but my heart sank (and I may have cried) at the thought of him working at Target. It's not that Target is a terrible place or that people who work there are sub-par or anything like that. I just wanted more for him. He hasn't struggled and pushed himself and made sacrifices for 28 years to work for minimum wage at a super store. I feel like the American Dream has kicked us in the face...not that I even really believe in the American Dream.

I'm just being a baby. Some days are full of hope and some have none at all. We know that we are to rely on God for our provision, and we are. At the same time we aren't naive enough to think that God owes us awesome jobs or that His provision equals ease. Things will be okay...they always are, we just don't know what "okay" will look like-that's the kind of scary part. I'm very thankful that we are together through this though...very, very thankful!

So while we wait, and search and worry just a little, I'm going to enjoy my staycation with the hubs. Here's to staying up late and watching The Fattest Man In The World....

Love Me Some Chick-Fil-A!!

My boss' house doesn't go on the market 'til tomorrow, but there was a showing today! Yikes! This whole house on the market and 2 kids thing is hard work!

We are making ourselves known at Chick-Fil-A recently and I am so glad we have one so close!

At the same time, I assumed the house would take a while to sell and that I had time to find another job...this showing so early is a bit freaky! I'm off all of next week, so hopefully I'll make some job progress.

Happy WEEKEND!!!!!

Random update.

It's been a while! I should be catching up on my Bible study for tonight, but I'm blogging instead...I guess you never grow out of summer mentality!

The job hunt for me is on in full force! I'm happy with the way things have been working with my current job and their move, but there is a sense of urgency now that makes things a little more stressful. Okay, a LOT more stressful!!

G is still searching, applying and waiting for a job as well.

We're not letting our job situation bring us down-in the meantime, we know how to enjoy! Last week we had three fun evenings with friends from church, lots of pool time and we even caught a hockey game last night! I'm so glad to have a partner to weather the storms with-it makes EVERYTHING different! Below is a clip of George's newly acquired jumping and swimming skills- LOVE. IT.

WORLD CUP STARTS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are SO PUMPED!! We're looking forward to some great games and even better fellowship with friends and family at our place. Go GHANA!!!!

George has decided to start eating pork. I am excited beyond words about that and can't wait to add pork into our meal choices! :)

George is really picking up the slang and idioms that flow so freely from my mouth. My favorite he says so far is "As if!" Awesome.

Changes On The Horizon

It's official: my boss is relocating (and I'm not).

I am so excited for the possibilities this holds! I'm thankful for what this job has provided, but ready for a change. Please pray that George and I can get jobs that work well together (we'd like to stick to one car as long as possible) and are beneficial to us and our future.

Memorial Day Weekend!

Does it have to end?? We had SO MUCH FUN this weekend! George L-O-V-E-D the waterpark and his joy was contagious! We had a blast with my family and I really enjoyed watching G experience new things and being able to do things with him. I am so blessed and so happy we're together. My family and I had planned on taking G to the waterpark LAST year, but that turned out to be impossible. It was so wonderful for it to finally happen, for us to finally have an American summer together. We're pumped for all the little fun things that summer will hold and looking forward to lots more days of being "happy tired."