I wanted to update the blog on what everyone has been doing since its been so long and we're starting a new year. We've had lots of exciting changes lately and are enjoying where we are in life.
Brett started a new job a couple weeks ago and we couldn't be happier. He is working for a consulting firm located in Vancouver, Washington but they have been wonderful enough to take Brett on and allow us to stay and work from here (for now...we'll see what the future has in store). This company actually did consulting work for his past company (they do a lot of product development and training for collection agencies all over the country), which is how he had the contact, and he approached them about 6 months ago about a job opportunity. It's been kind of a slow work in progress, but once November hit and they decided they had a position open for him everything just fell into place. We feel really good about this company and the arrangement they have made with Brett. There is a lot of opportunity for growth and he is excited to take his knowledge of the industry and apply it to more product development and the effectiveness of how a company runs, rather than the day to day grind of running an agency. He's been traveling quite a bit these last couple weeks, but it hasn't been to bad and should slow down soon. They have expressed how happy they are to have him, which has only made it better. I have seen a change in him already- it's amazing how important it is to enjoy what you!
Besides the pregnancy, I continue to stay busy just trying to make life run and function smoothly- it's a good day if I can accomplish it! I have 24 students that I am teaching right now, and while it feels very busy and I don't really feel like I'm a stay at home mom, I truly enjoy my students and teaching and interacting with them. They bring me a lot of joy and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to do something I love, while still being at home. I have a great arrangement worked out with my neighbor and she takes the boys 3 afternoons a week, while I teach, in exchange for 2 of her children's lessons. I even have a teenage student trading lessons and she comes to clean my house once a week! It's worked out really great and both of these trades have made it all possible. I am trying to get more healthy with this pregnancy, so we did the cliche thing and bought an elliptical the day after New Years (hey, we got a great deal on it because of the timing). I'm really enjoying being able to work out from home and not having to get up and have it done before Brett leaves for work. Now I just have to work harder to overcome the incredible sweet tooth (CANDY!) that this baby has.
Aidan is a true blue 5 year old, with all the emotions of a 15 year old. Maybe that's just the definition of being 5. Either way, its an adventure and a lesson in patience, but we so enjoy him everyday. He is full of stories of adventure and his imagination is in constant overdrive. He goes to preschool 3 mornings a week and is learning so much. The other night he even came down and sounded out a word for Brett and I that he read. It is so exciting to see him applying what he is learning and asking questions to keep learning more. He constantly talks about going to the big kid school next year and is looking forward to really being in school. He has great neighbor friends across the street that he loves to be with, but the thing I have most enjoyed is watching him and Ethan develop a great friendship. Not to say that they aren't fighting and yelling as much as they are loving, but when the 2 of them decide to play and have fun together I couldn't ask for anything more. He is a great older brother and is extremely excited to have another sibling on the way. Aidan loves to play outside, play the Wii with his friends (he keeps telling me how much we NEED a Wii), read educational books (not stories- he wants to learn about things. He borrows my mom's Smithsonian magazine every week and Brett and him read it at night), and just be social!
I still refer to Ethan as my baby boy...even though he's 2 1/2. Where does the time go? He is such a sweet, sweet child and I just want to munch on him all the time. We're experiencing a bit of the terrible two's right now. He has a constant desire to do everything himself and has developed a very feisty, stubborn side to his personality that has taken me by surprise. Aidan came out with that part of him, but Ethan has never really had it so it's been a bit hard to take. Not to mention that we have finally gotten rid of the bink and my once wonderful sleeper is having to be sleep trained all over again. We are a bit at odds with each other...then I just have to really look at him and he melts my heart and all is forgiven. I'm not ashamed to admit he has me wrapped around his chubby little finger. He wants to do everything like Aidan and the big kids, which is a constant frustration to him, but he keeps up well with them and enjoys being a part of the group. He also just likes to come and sit quietly on my lap and color or keep the beat with me while I teach piano. He is talking up a storm and we are loving getting to visit with him. We always laugh when we can't understand what he is saying... after asking him "What?" he always talks slower and louder. When I tell him that I can hear him, I just don't understand what he is saying, he comes in real close and wraps his arms around my neck and whispers it in my ear. I still don't know what he said but I sure enjoy the hug. Knock on wood as I say this but he has had such a healthy winter and we are so, so grateful! I am especially glad since I have been sick and don't know how I would've handled it with both of us. We had a trip to the ER last week after he broke into our medicine cabinet and took 15 laxitives, and then almost had to admit him in the hospital the next day after being dehydrated but that has been the most drama we have had. We are praying that the spring will continue to be well and while we are not getting too excited and jumping to any conclusions, we feel so blessed that he has been well and has been able to have a break after everything he went through last year. He loves to read books, build his trains, put together puzzles (which he is really good at), build his blocks and watch Zaboomafoo.
After that marathon post that pretty much catches up what is happening in our day to day lives! It's important to me to get this all written down...I am hoping to get this blog published into a book before the baby comes. I don't do any other journaling and feel like even though I'm not super consistent, I want to keep writing what is going on with us. I so enjoy reading what other people are doing- it's been such a wonderful way to keep in touch with all of you... I just need to spend less time doing it and be better about updating my own. :) Holiday pictures coming soon!
