Friday, October 22, 2010

No NASA job but maybe a layoff

There is no potential NASA job for me for awhile. I just heard back that the position I was still being considered for is no longer being offered. It may be up to a year before the hiring situation changes at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the Washington DC area.

Well, there may be no NASA job in the near future but there may be a layoff for me coming soon. I will find out on November 1st whether that will be my last day at ATK. To be honest, a layoff wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I would rather be working but could probably entertain myself for 6 months or so. My work is laying off 20% or about 100 people on November 1st and I will likely be one of them. We are all waiting to find out.

I will continue to look for NASA jobs but there are very few opportunities right now. I am holding off on looking into contracting jobs for now. I am continuing to explore other job options in the Minneapolis area. I pray that God continues to give me purpose and meaning in my blessed life no matter where I work (house or office).

Friday, October 8, 2010

Jaden made my day

Yesterday as I was dropping the boys off at school. I ran around their small building. I made sure the boys got cereal. Gave some pictures to the teacher in the other room for a project that day. Then came back to Jaden and Clay and gave them hugs and kisses before leaving. As I was heading out of the door of the room, Jaden yelled, "Mom!" I turned around to see him and he looked at me and yelled, "I love you!" and then blew me a kiss. That just melted my heart. I yelled back, "Love you too!"

Then Clay said loudly, "I love you, Mom." I responded to him, "I love you, Clay."

I walked out of the room and building to my van. I had the biggest smile on my face. What joy my boys bring to my life! I think that was the first time Jaden or Clay told me that they love me without me prompting them. Maybe they really get it. Maybe they are just repeating what they have heard. Either way, I am overjoyed to hear it and I will treasure it.

This comes on the heals of me recently having a conversation with Clay after him telling me, "I love football, Mom." I explained to him that he doesn't just say that to me. He can't really love football and he proceeded to tell me that he really does. Surprising but maybe he does. I would have expected that to come from Jaden. Maybe I have two football loving sons.

Bryan and I recently saw the movie Backup Plan with Jennifer Lopez. It was cute romantic comedy but the line that sticks in my head is, "Kids are awful awful awful awful and then something beautiful, magical happens and then awful awful awful." I kind of agree with that statement but would adjust it to be, "Kids are difficult and wear you out most of the time and then every once in awhile there is a beautiful, magical moment that reminds you of why kids are so amazing."

Yesterday morning Jaden gifted me with one amazing moment.

I didn't have kids because I love children so much. I knew that kids would challenge who I am and craft me into a better person because God uses them. I am reminded of that almost daily. My kids challenge me on every front and I enjoy the challenge most of the time. Yesterday morning was not one of the challenging times but it still creates better character in me.

Thank you, Jaden and Clay, for loving me. You make me more loving of others.

Monday, October 4, 2010

my mom

My mom turns 60 today! I don't think she will mind too much that I am telling the world her age. I want to be 60 and proud of it someday. My mom is amazing! She should be proud of who she has become at 60 and all that God has used her to do with her life.

She has been a great mom to 2 sons and 2 daughters. And an amazing grandma to 8 (soon to be 9) grandchildren. She is so good with kids. That is clearly her gifting. God granted her with amazing patience and the ability to teach children. She still has a childlike heart and that helps in relating to kids.

She is also a great sister and daughter to her family in California. But more than that she is an unbelievable daughter-in-law to my dad's mom. My grandma Alma lives with my parents and my mom takes care of most everything my grandma needs. She is amazing in the amount of love she has poored out to take care of grandma. Sure there might be some complaints along the way but everyone else would have given up by now and grandma would have been in a nursing home a long time ago if it wasn't for my mom. Her love for her mother-in-law is inspiring and I hope I can bless my parents and in-laws the way I have seen her demonstrate.

My mom, Judy Vilhauer, is an amazing woman and I was so happy and privileged to help throw her a surprise birthday party on Saturday. My dad and I came up with the plan and mom felt loved by all of her friends and family that came to celebrate. She loves chocolate so the fondue fountain was an obvious choice for a celebration.

Happy Birthday MOM!