First Day of School

The First day Of school was busy and I'm sure that we'll get a schedule under control soon. But let me share a couple of fun things the boys did on their first day of school.

 These were taken the night before. Both Josh and Eric were so excited that they had to make sure that everything fit and was ready to go.

 His smile is so priceless.

 Josh on his first day of being a First grader. He was chatting up a storm with all his old friends from last year. He came home just as excited and told me was was already to go back tomorrow. Mrs Moss gave him his own cubby today. She was so mindful of him she gave him one lower to the ground so he could reach, she told him he was a star and gave him a star necklace. Now if only his mom could work out her work schedule so that she could pick him up on time.

 My sweet little boy Eric was so excited he told me that it was finally his turn to go to school. a quick story Eric was so excited to go this morning that he sat on his backpack which had his juice box in it. the juice box exploded to he ended up having to change his pants and we had to throw the pack pack in the dryer but all was well and he got to school and time. He told me that he was good and got a stamp!

They are so cute!

River Fun

Saturday we played at the river and had a blast. Friday night we went to a Aces ball game and of course I forgot the camera again. I really need to stop forgetting the camera on such important family occasions. Then we floated down the Truckee river Saturday. The pictures speak for them selves. I will say this even Eden went down the river she liked it the first time down but not the second. she got drenched a little to much for her taste.

 Eden ready for her ride on the tube.

 Josh  and Eden ready for a ride down the river.

 Eric's usual Cheesey smile.

 Eden after being drenched on her tube ride.

 Josh searching for crawdads.

 It was a really fun time at the River.

family baseball game

I'm a bit late on this post since I started working I've found it a bit difficult to find balance at home and work. I'm really close to finding that balance. I hope it gets better when we have a school schedule. Anyways the weekend of the 11th we went down to Folsom to visit with the family and to listen o Parker give his reporting talk in church as part of the fun weekend we played a friendly game of baseball Saturday evening. I think that everyone had a good time. It was nice to be around the family. We had Grandma Kjar there and Grandma Park. Rachel and Jed, Jason's aunt and uncle and their kids and of course the usual band of Kjar's and Nebekers'. It was a nice weekend and as always it was really hard to leave. We look forward to Labor-day weekend when we can be with the family again.

 Parker pitching to Jay ( Rachel and Jed's youngest)

Josh and Eric cheering on the game. I was so busy playing the game that I forgot to take more pictures.

Working Outside of The Home

I've had all kinds of reactions when people find out that I'm now working outside of my home. It was a choice that Jason and I made prayerfully and we  put lots of thought into it before making the decision. When we were married back in '04 the economy was booming and it seemed that there were plenty of jobs for everyone in our country. We had our first son in '06 and the decision for me to stay home with him was what we felt was the most important thing for our family, so Jason continued supporting our family on his own while we were still both going to school. Those years were tough and blessed. I wouldn't change them. Then in '09 the economy crashed. All those jobs that we thought would be there when we graduated disappeared over night and company's were going out of business all over the place. Our own company that we had worked so hard on was dieing right before our eyes. We still felt that if the economy could just hold on till Jason finished his degree we'd magically be all right and be able to get a job that would provide us the means we needed for our family. Well in 2010 Jason finished his degree and started applying for jobs only to find that a bachelors degree was not enough anymore. We were competing against people that had been in the workforce for years and had masters degrees. Even with years of experience and a masters degrees they were still not being hired. The frustrating realization that we might not find anything for a long time hit us. Then in 2011 our surprise baby girl came into our lives and with that joy of having a baby girl the realization that at our current state we could not afford a van to transport these three beautiful kids around in. Now we do not need a van but when you are trying to buckle kids into their seats and you the mom are pretty much the only one that can buckle the six year old in because you are the only one with an arm small enough to fit in between the seats there is something wrong there. So more children was out of the question. We could not save anything at our current state. So Jason began job searching and looking and looking and looking again. We finally realized that we could probably look for years and still not find anything in this area. So the answer was right in front of us I needed to go back to work part time and help my husband provide for the needs of our family while he keeps looking for another job. I work as a bookkeeper for a little printing company and for the five hours a day that I'm there I'm quite happy. My coworkers are nice and my manager is fair. My children seemed settled with their new babysitter and when school starts Eric and Josh really wont even know I'm gone.
Sure it's been hard when people all around me continue to ask why I'm working, what am I thinking, or the best one, " you'll miss everything that Eden does" these comments are hurtful and make my decision harder but the decision was made with the Lord and for now it is the right thing to do for our family. I have gifts outside of being a Mom and now I'm able to share those gifts with others. Women were put on this earth to be a helpmate to their husbands. Jason and I work best when we are working together. I'm thankful for this new opportunity to grow. Our family will benefit from this time in our lives.

Liquid Gold 5K

Jason and I set a goal for our selves to get in shape and run a 5K. This morning was our 5K. It was in support of Breast feeding awareness, fitting since this last year I spent breast feeding Eden. Our 5K was not well marked and we ended up going the wrong way ( everyone) so when it was all said and done we ended up running 4 miles up some major hills and down some serious stairs oh and up some stairs as well. But we did it and I'm so glad we did now we're looking forward to the next 5K and Jason wants to start training  for a 10K so we are going to stay very busy.
Oh and on our way home from dropping off the babysitter we drove past a garage sale and found a somewhat new bike. After some bidding wars between us and another buyer Jason became the proud owner of a Huffy bike that can take him to work. Everything is finally coming together for our family. We are so blessed.

 we are at the UNR campus for the 5K race

Jason's new to him bike.

So cute

Eden had her 12 month visit to the Dr's today, as follows she weighs 18lbs 10oz. Her weight is in the 5th percentile and her height in in the 25th percentile she is a bit on the petite side which is just perfect but her head is in the 75th percentile. according to the Dr' she has a college professor size head. All my kids have had heads that were bigger than the size body they had. While the Dr was checking Eden she seem to take offense to him touching her chest since she tried to take a swing at him. The Dr. laughed and said I have a feisty little girl. If he were any man other than a Dr I'd take a swing at him too.

I took some fun pics of my happy children.

Enjoy

 Josh reading to Eden after her nap

 Josh got ahold of my camera and took this pic of Eric. It's kinda cute!

 Eden happy as ever having just gotten up from a nap and had her big brother read to her.

I Love My cute little girl!