In December Greg and I started talking about him doing a Doctorate program in Education Administration. We decided that now is better than later with kids growing and life never going to slow down. This spring as we started to apply for programs and think about our options, our options seemed to be dwindling. A program we were planning on didn't accept him because it is a more faculty based program and not administration. Another program we were hoping for decided not to offer the program at all this Fall. I being a financial nerd started to run numbers and trying to figure out how we were going to pay for graduate school and things were going to be extremely tight. Greg adjunct teaches an average of 8 credits a semester and can't keep up the teaching schedule along with his own school schedule. But we can't afford schools costs without him teaching and we are determined to not take out any loans. Greg wears many "hats" in his current job. Although he really loves his job and we really love Snow College and living in Ephraim and our beautiful home and neighborhood and the elementary school . . . We love a lot of things about our current situation. But Greg is an extremely hard worker and we have been going, going, going for years now and we both are feeling the need to take a step back, work a little less and spend time as a family a little more.
Early in our marriage Greg applied for jobs all the time, not because he didn't like his current ones, just always on the look out for better opportunities. Greg hadn't applied for any jobs in years but in March decided to look at some Higher Education job boards. He found that not only are there a lot of jobs that he is really qualified for, they have a much higher salary than he makes now. And so he started applying, just to see what opportunities would open to us. He applied for about 30 jobs and at first it didn't seem like anyone was going to offer even an interview. But then he got a call, and another, and another, etc. He turned down several interviews after talking with them and finding more out about the positions. Only about 7 schools didn't call for an interview. He had several phone interviews and has now traveled to 5 different schools for on campus interviews, 4 of them being out of state. Right now he has accepted a position with Utah State University CEU campus in Price, Utah. When he accepted the position he let them know that he had been and would be traveling to some other schools for interviews and if an offer came that we felt better about, that we would take it. And Price said, we understand. He turned down an offer with Southern Oregon University and has yet to hear from Washburn in Topeka Kansas, LaCrosse in LaCrosse Wisconsin and Tacoma Community College in Tacoma Washington. He also just got a call for a phone interview for an Associate Vice President position at a school in Illinois. It is hard to pass on what could be a great opportunity, but we also need to know where we are headed with Greg's last day at Snow College being June 15.
I am extremely grateful that so many people have noticed and valued his skills and talent. I am going to miss a lot of things about our current situation and the move is very bittersweet. I am very nervous to get our house sold at a good price and to move to a new place where we don't know anyone and to uproot our 4 kids from their friends and school. Well we are the only friends Kenai knows:) I am most excited for the opportunity to slow down. Although school and a new full time job will be busy, we have made a promise to each other to not run for city council, join the PTA, be in charge of any festivals or committees or be on an Cooperative boards or run any home businesses. We are going to really try to simplify and focus on our young and rapidly growing children. And that I am really excited for.
When we moved to Ephraim I really felt like we were starting over, moving from a nice home into student housing. At first I felt like we are starting over again until after much thought and prayer, I realized that there is no starting over. This is just part of our journey! We are extremely blessed and we are in a much better position now than we were when we moved 6 years ago. And we are moving to a job that will require less time and pay more money. We will see how the next chapter of our lives plays out.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
October
October was busy because Greg was out of town the majority of the month. High school visits, Football games and a recruiting trip to Alaska kept him very busy.
Our church had a talent show and the girls decided to balance spoons on their noses for their talent. Here are two videos of them practicing.
Alexis had some mystery dots on her skin, so I took her to the doctor and found out it was moluscum. Which is just skin bumps that are hereditary and do go away on their own over time. The doctor did try a cream on some of them which did help speed the process. We found out at the doctor visit that Alexis had strep throat for the third time this year.
I tried out anew recipe called Cinnamon Bubble Buns. The kids had fun helping me and they were really yummy.
Here is Paxton talking about a few of his favorite things:
Alexis celebrated crazy hair day at school.
I celebrated my 30th birthday at the end of October. Greg was actually in Alaska on my birthday. A couple weekends before we were in Orem and we went out for movie and ice cream while Greg's parents watched the kids. Greg surprised me with a wood bench for the front porch for my gift and I bought myself an ice cream cake. I cleaned the house well the day before and planned easy meals so I didn't have to really cook or clean anything. And it worked out that Paxton took a good nap while Denali was at preschool so I had an hour and a half of quiet. What more could a girl want? Also, Rachel and Brittany surprised me with balloons, chocolate and a gift certificate for a pedicure. 
We carved a pumpkin for each kid. Paxton had a U for the University of Utah Utes, Denali chose a Jack O Lantern face and Alexis and Greg did a Snow College Badger face.
The PTA does a Halloween carnival for the community so I helped with that and we attended as a family. The elementary school also had their annual costume parade and we enjoyed trick or treating. Lots of candy and lots of fun was had by all. We had a Ute football player and 2 Snow College cheerleaders at our house. I would like to add that I made the girls skirts, although you can't see them that well in this pic.
Greg probably has better photos. Taking and archiving better photos is another New Year's resolution.
Our church had a talent show and the girls decided to balance spoons on their noses for their talent. Here are two videos of them practicing.
Alexis had some mystery dots on her skin, so I took her to the doctor and found out it was moluscum. Which is just skin bumps that are hereditary and do go away on their own over time. The doctor did try a cream on some of them which did help speed the process. We found out at the doctor visit that Alexis had strep throat for the third time this year.
I tried out anew recipe called Cinnamon Bubble Buns. The kids had fun helping me and they were really yummy.
Here is Paxton talking about a few of his favorite things:Alexis celebrated crazy hair day at school.
I celebrated my 30th birthday at the end of October. Greg was actually in Alaska on my birthday. A couple weekends before we were in Orem and we went out for movie and ice cream while Greg's parents watched the kids. Greg surprised me with a wood bench for the front porch for my gift and I bought myself an ice cream cake. I cleaned the house well the day before and planned easy meals so I didn't have to really cook or clean anything. And it worked out that Paxton took a good nap while Denali was at preschool so I had an hour and a half of quiet. What more could a girl want? Also, Rachel and Brittany surprised me with balloons, chocolate and a gift certificate for a pedicure. 
We carved a pumpkin for each kid. Paxton had a U for the University of Utah Utes, Denali chose a Jack O Lantern face and Alexis and Greg did a Snow College Badger face.
The PTA does a Halloween carnival for the community so I helped with that and we attended as a family. The elementary school also had their annual costume parade and we enjoyed trick or treating. Lots of candy and lots of fun was had by all. We had a Ute football player and 2 Snow College cheerleaders at our house. I would like to add that I made the girls skirts, although you can't see them that well in this pic.
Greg probably has better photos. Taking and archiving better photos is another New Year's resolution.
September
September started off busy with us doing a booth at Swiss Days. It actually was a craft fair across the street from the main Swiss Days square and we didn't get near the traffic of people there, but it was fun and a good experience.
Mater came to town! A man in Gunnison (a town about 20 miles south from us) had a truck that looked similar to Mater. He decided to do a little work to it and set it in front of the theater when Cars 2 was playing. Then Mater has been traveling to other towns for more families to enjoy. Paxton was SO excited!
Greg's parents were able to come down to go to lunch with Alexis for Grandparents Day at school. They also got to stop in Denali's preschool and say hi to her. Alexis started taking piano lessons and loves it. Denali started gymnastics at the new gym in town called Airborne and she is really good at it.
Mater came to town! A man in Gunnison (a town about 20 miles south from us) had a truck that looked similar to Mater. He decided to do a little work to it and set it in front of the theater when Cars 2 was playing. Then Mater has been traveling to other towns for more families to enjoy. Paxton was SO excited!Greg's parents were able to come down to go to lunch with Alexis for Grandparents Day at school. They also got to stop in Denali's preschool and say hi to her. Alexis started taking piano lessons and loves it. Denali started gymnastics at the new gym in town called Airborne and she is really good at it.
End of July/August
My first New Years resolution of 2012 is to get my blog current. We just got home from the hospital with Kenai and I want to post pics, but decided I must at least try to catch up the last couple months.
Greg surprised us by growing a beard and mustache while we were in Alaska. He has never had facial hair before and none of us really knew what to think about. Well, Alexis DID NOT like it and made him shave it a week later. I did think that he looked good, but definitely had to get used to him looking this way.
Greg surprised us by growing a beard and mustache while we were in Alaska. He has never had facial hair before and none of us really knew what to think about. Well, Alexis DID NOT like it and made him shave it a week later. I did think that he looked good, but definitely had to get used to him looking this way.
Paxton REALLY missed his daddy while we were gone!
And he was very interested in the beard!
After we returned from Alaska, Greg's Mom had a retirement party and his brother Blaine's family was visiting from Indiana. So we enjoyed some more family fun and cousin time.
And he was very interested in the beard!
Family Pic
Cason and Paxton
Avarie and Denali
Alexis and Ellie
Our neighbor Abby who is friends with Alexis left these Welcome Home notes on our front door for us.
We grew our first garden last year, but leaving for a month led to us growing a lot more weeds than vegetables. We did get some peas, beans and carrots that were yummy and fun to pick.
We got to spend a weekend at Grandma Dart's cabin which is always an anticipated summer event. It is tradition to give baths in the deep sinks.
In August Greg was busy with the Ambassador retreat and school starting. I am PTA Treasurer and was busy with meetings and Back to School events. We had an ultrasound to find out we are having a BOY! And Alexis had her first day of 2nd grade.
Denali also started preschool. I put her in 2 preschools this year, one at the elementary school and one with Miss Heidi who she had last year. They both are 2 days a week, so she gets to go to school 4 days a week which gives Paxton and I some time to hang out together.
Cason and Paxton
Avarie and Denali
Alexis and EllieOur neighbor Abby who is friends with Alexis left these Welcome Home notes on our front door for us.
We grew our first garden last year, but leaving for a month led to us growing a lot more weeds than vegetables. We did get some peas, beans and carrots that were yummy and fun to pick.
We got to spend a weekend at Grandma Dart's cabin which is always an anticipated summer event. It is tradition to give baths in the deep sinks.
In August Greg was busy with the Ambassador retreat and school starting. I am PTA Treasurer and was busy with meetings and Back to School events. We had an ultrasound to find out we are having a BOY! And Alexis had her first day of 2nd grade.
Denali also started preschool. I put her in 2 preschools this year, one at the elementary school and one with Miss Heidi who she had last year. They both are 2 days a week, so she gets to go to school 4 days a week which gives Paxton and I some time to hang out together.
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