February Update

So much snow! This month started off with a whopping 5 day, 6+ inches of snow! It started mildly enough, a few dry flakes swirling above the streets in a ghostly fashion as Shawn and Alice drove me to work mid day on Thursday. I'd taken the morning off so Shawn could go to a job interview. And he nailed it! He's starting a 8 week (and maybe longer, we hope!) contract job out in Beaverton. It's been almost 3 months since he's been laid off from his longtime job. In some ways it's been so good to have him home, when the kids got sick, or were out of school over Christmas break, or on various holidays and inservice days, he's been home to care for them. We've been fortunate that he's been able to draw unemployment to keep us afloat. But, it is time for him to get to do something outside of the house and for us to catch up financially. This seems like a very good opportunity for him to get his foot in the door with a good company and do some local networking. It's going to be quite a shift for the kids, especially Max. He's gotten very used to Dad picking him up from school in the mid afternoon and coming home for cozy afternoons of snacks, homework, and video game time with Dad. As Max is nearing 7, though, he's becoming much more flexible and easy going and for that we are grateful! I am hoping to not have to rely too much on after school care but we'll see what shakes out. I've been full time at my medical office job since November, and I'll be taking 1 day a week off now that Shawn is working to take care of Alice on her off day from school. We're bracing for Portland Public Teachers to begin a strike next Thursday (Shawn's second day on the job). It's needed, though, PPS Administration has not been fair to the teachers and I am glad the teachers are standing up for their rights and compensation.

On to more positive other fun things, here are the kids enjoying a snow day with Shawn! A few fun other things of late: In November Shawn took a solo trip to Tennessee for his Grandmother's 90th birthday and family reunion. We missed him over thanksgiving but he had a fabulous time! A few weeks ago I threw a surprise 37th birthday party for Shawn and it went off without a hitch! Lots of fun with 20+ friends gathered to celebrate with Shawn when he arrived home. Over the Christmas break Shawn and his Dad took the kids to visit family in Santa Cruz, they had a great time! Shawn was amazing on the way home, pulling off Santa Cruz to Portland (15 hours of driving) in ONE day! I'm in awe. Five days before our major snowstorm I took the day and went up to Mt. Hood with the kids as I was convinced Portland was not seeing any snow this winter :P Alice is enamored with fairy tails and is really wanting to join a live theatre class, troupe so we're looking into options for her. She enjoys reading, drawing, and writing very much. She is also having great fun in her weekly swim lesson at the local pool. Max is reading and writing in spanish and english, go Max! He's also doing amazing art work. Think graphic novels! He draws amazing surreal characters and has been selling his artwork to friends and family. He told me this summer he wants to set up an art gallery in the garage. He recently tested up to the yellow belt in karate and when his new term starts tomorrow I'll be buying him the ghee (sp?) promised, he has worked hard! Shawn wrote a roleplaying game and enjoyed an afternoon of running the game while I set up his surprise party ;) I don't have much to report for myself, I'm working a lot, and trying to squeeze in some time to workout when I can. I've been enjoying baking a lot this winter and I'm dreaming up fun little family day trips for us to take in the spring and summer (Oregon Coast, Enchanted Forest, Mt. St. Helens, etc.) That's the news for now :)