Monday, December 29, 2008

The Boys' New Chairs!



The boys and their new chairs!



Jacob is thrilled to have his hat on! I just love the look on his face ("Mom I am going to hurt you if you ever show this picture to anyone!")




Matthew after a brief screaming episode!





Ho! Ho! Ho!






That's better! Notice Jacob has the camera in his hand... he thought he needed to take the pictures!


Christmas



Matthew with Mama and Papa Phegley on Christmas Day!



Matthew with Uncle Jared and Aunt Abby!




Matthew with Aunt Rachel!





Matthew with Grandma and Grandpa Peppler on Christmas morning!



Kyle and Lindsey!
We had a great day on Christmas Day. We started out at our house in the morning opening gifts (we forgot to take pictures, but we did video it). It was so nice to be able to start our own family traditions. Matthew enjoyed watching us open gifts. Then, we went to Ryan's parents for brunch and gifts. Matthew slept through the gift opening there, but has been enjoying his new toys the past couple days. After we left there, we went to my parent's house for dinner. Papa bought the boys new chairs for Christmas which are absolutely adorable and just their size. Pics in the next post! All in all we had a great day and enjoyed being able to spend time with our families!

Our Apologies

We had some friends stop by for a visit yesterday and they reminded us that we have fallen way behind on our blogging lately. I promise we will post some new pictures as soon as Ryan gets home and uploads them off of our new camera... I am not sure what his method is. Now that the holidays are over, we will try harder to do a better job of updating more frequently.

It is kinda funny... my mom has been calling me everyday for the last week asking me to post about my job interview from last week because people keep calling her to check in about it. Well, it went well and I am supposed to be hearing from them today about setting up an on-site interview. This interview has to be coordinated with 2 docs, a nurse, and someone from HR, so it may take a bit to get it arranged. I am really excited about this possibility!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Answered Prayer

So... the other night I could not sleep. I had been not feeling too well and had slept much during the day, so I guess I just wasn't tired. So, my mind started rambling... it's never a good thing when that happens. I started thinking about all kinds of things, but my mind kept coming back to a new job! If you are a frequent visitor to our blog, you know my recent search for a new job has not really turned up anything that meets the requirements for our family. A little over a week ago, I applied for a job in the Health Services Department at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne. As time has gone on, I decided this was probably the best fit for our family, but was trying to leave the details to the Almighty. However, on this particular night, as I lay awake in bed, I couldn't help but think about those details. I said a prayer and asked God that if I was going to hear anything about this job and get a chance at an interview, that I would hear something by today (Monday), and that if I didn't hear anything today, I would realize that He had something better in mind for me. Guess what??? I received a phone call about an hour ago to set a phone interview for tomorrow!!!! I realize this is only an interview and I definitely don't have a new job by any stretch of the imagination, but I am thrilled at the chance to interview. If you think of it tomorrow around 10:15 AM say a little prayer for me... and DON'T call me (at least not until 11 AM when the interview will have definitely ended)!

** For any skeptics out there, I just happened to tell my husband about the little prayer I said the other night, so you can ask him if you don't believe me!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Doctor Update

Matthew had his 4 month check-up today. He is a healthy little baby. One thing we learned that I am sure none of you will guess: Matthew has dropped from the 90th percentile in weight to the 50th! I am pretty sure he must hold all his weight in his cheeks... (the facial version). Unfortunately his mother was not so lucky! The doctor said he looked great and is meeting all of his developmental milestones as scheduled. We continue to feel so blessed to have Matthew as our son and look forward to the new tricks he does everyday!

No New Job... Yet!

Well, I had an interview this morning that lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. When the interviewer walked in with 4 pages of questions, I knew I was in for the long haul! The interview was with an organization called Neighborhood Health Clinic. Their mission is to provide healthcare to the underserved population. The interview went well and I should be receiving a phone call the week after Christmas to set up a second interview (this time with the doc). All in all, I felt like the interview went well, and that the job would be a good fit for me. The one drawback is that there would be no health insurance benefit unless I work 30+ hrs/week. Ryan and I are just not willing to do that at this point, but feel that I should carry the health insurance for myself and Matthew due to the high cost to insure me through his work (apparently women in their childbearing years cause high bills for insurance companies!). We are going to wait and see what happens with the other places I applied to, but for now we are probably going to place this opportunity on the backburner. We will continue to pray that the right job comes along and that I can be patient during this waiting process. Thanks for all your prayers and positive thoughts as the search continues!

Our Santa Baby



For those of you whose address we did not have... here are the pictures that did make the cut for our Christmas card this year!


Merry Christmas!




Monday, December 15, 2008

Job Search

Well, the search continues... I have still not heard anything about the first job I interviewed for. I am somewhat annoyed about this and feel that I at least deserved a phone call regardless of the decision. I do have another interview on Thursday with an Endocrinology office in Fort Wayne. This job is only 15-20 hrs/week and is not a benefited position, so I am not sure it will be the right fit, however, I know more interviewing experience will definitely be a benefit to me. Ryan and I are just continuing to pray that the right job will come along. In the meantime, I am just going to enjoy my time with Matthew!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Just Say It!

Two of our friends shared these thoughts today... check it out!
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/if-you-think-something-good%E2%80%A6/

Thankful Thursdays...

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Another job interview. I was contacted yesterday about a job interview at the first of next week. I don't know the particulars yet, but I am excited about the possibility!

2. A good baby. I have a feeling my son redefines "good" baby. He is so content and happy most of the time. I am so thankful that he is so happy!

3. A night off. Even though I have only been back to work for about a month, I am looking forward to having Saturday night off this week. We were originally supposed to have Christmas this weekend, but with dad's surgery that has been rescheduled for January and we are just going to enjoy an evening off!

4. Matthew has slept through the night for the past 2 nights! HOORAY! I have been so rested the past couple days I am not sure what to do with myself!

5. Christmas shopping completed... almost! We have been fortunate to be able to complete most of our Christmas shopping already. The problem seems to be getting the gifts wrapped! Oh well, if they get delivered in shopping bags I am sure no one will turn them away!

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Job Update

Well, unless my calendar is mistaken, December 5th has passed! I was supposed to hear back about the job I interviewed for by last Friday and have heard nothing. I am sure that means they do not know whether the new doctor is going to come yet or not, however, I have decided to move on. I have applied for 2 more jobs and have a 3rd possibility if neither of these work out. One of the jobs is in Health Services at Dupont Hospital. I would be conducting all the physicals on new employees and dealing with workman's comp claims... I did this for a clinical I was in and did enjoy it. The other job is with a pediatrician's office. I would be doing well baby checks and seeing sick kids. I am not sure either of these positions were places I thought I would start out, but at this point I am excited to begin something new and move forward with my career. Will keep you posted!

Organic Update

We have had many people ask us how the organic switch is going. So far, so good! We have been sticking with the new plan for the most part for almost 3 weeks now! We have even done fairly well considering we have had multiple family gatherings during that time. We must admit, however, that this organic way of life is not totally organic. We are merely trying to make better choices for ourselves and our family. In terms of organic, we are following the "dirty dozen" list:

The “Dirty Dozen”:
Must-buy organic foods


Fruit
Apples
Cherries
Grapes, imported (Chili)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Raspberries
Strawberries

Vegetables
Bell peppers
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach

These produce items are the "dirtiest" in terms of pesticide exposure.

Besides produce items, we are also buying organic milk, butter, & eggs. We have gotten rid of our peanut butter and exchanged it for almond butter. One of the tips we received is to stay at the perimeter of the grocery store when shopping. This has really proven true for us. The whole foods are located around the perimeter. Truth be told... our grocery bill has increased... probably about 50%, however, we were also eating out 3-5 x's per week which has nearly stopped so it all probably evens itself out.

In terms of what we are eating... here is our menu of dinners for the last week:
Sizzling salads (teriyaki chicken on top of lettuce with fresh veggies, eggs, cheese and dressing)
Spaghetti & garlic bread(wheat or whole grain pasta with organic sauce, bruschetta bread with evoo and garlic)
Turkey salad in a pita (diced turkey with grapes, dried cranberries, almonds, cheese, and a little dressing)
Chili (with ground turkey)
Grilled chicken with steamed veggies
Pork chops with butternut squash (Ryan's first time eating squash... he loved it!)

I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that we are eating weird foods... it's really just about eating healthier and choosing whole foods instead of processed stuff. We aren't perfect and I am sure we are bound to fall off the wagon at some point, but for now we are going to stick with it!

A Few Smiles



Matthew and Jacob playing with their new top at Mama and Papa's house!



Matthew talking to the new camera!




A great big grin!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Rolling over!

Scroll through quickly and watch Matthew in action! Have I mentioned that I love our new camera?



































Why Daddy is Not Allowed to Babysit!



Evidence # 1 . . . I know you've all seen this before, but this is to show a pattern.

Evidence # 2 . . . Again, we've all seen this one.



Evidence # 3 . . . I don't know what to say! At least he's happy with black electrical tape on his face!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Santa's Secret

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes
Looked deep into Santa's eyes, to Santa's surprise
And said as he sat on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret. Tell it to me."

He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear
"How do you do it, year after year?"
"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here and there, you never run out.

How is it, Dear Santa, that in your pack of toys,
You have plenty for all of the world's girls and boys?
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"

And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?"
But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"

He told that small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder and wise.
"The truth is that my sack is magic inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.

But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.
Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad,
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.

Some homes are broken and the children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?
"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives toys aren't enough.

So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And I pray with them that they'll be given the joy
Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.

"If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there?
Are homes filled with peace, and with giving and love?
And boys and girls gifted with light from above?

It's a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others.
But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each need.

"That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth.
In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could e'er give away.

The sack never empties of love, or of joys
'Cause inside it are prayers and hope. Not just toys.
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.

"And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you.
It never gets empty, it's full from the start.
It's the center of lights, and love. It's your heart.

And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with the gifts 'neath your tree.
Open that sack called your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."

The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for your secret. I've got to be going."
"Wait, little boy," Said Santa, "don't go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"

And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, "I will."

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Rolling, rolling, rolling!

Our little guy rolled over for the first time today!!!! I was so excited I scared him to death! Of course, he would only do it once! I am glad I got to see it! Maybe we can post a video of it sometime soon!

Thankful Thursdays...

Today, I am thankful for...

1. My new camera! It was a bit of an early Christmas gift, but we couldn't pass up the deal last night! It takes pictures so much faster than my old one and so I am forecasting many cute, smiling pictures of Matthew in the near future!

2. Eating healthier. Ryan and I are doing fairly well on our quest for healthier living. We tried the bison last week and it tasted pretty much like ground beef and we have a fridge stocked with all kinds of fresh fruits and veggies. It's amazing how much better you feel when you're not eating french fries 6-7 times per week!!!

3. Christmas cards! Ryan and I finished our Christmas cards last night. Now, we just have to finish addressing all of them and get them in the mail!

4. Dad's healing. My dad is feeling a little better everyday. He is still sore and tires easily, but all in all his recovery is right on track!

5. Eileen Adkins. My Aunt Julie's mom passed away this week rather unexpectedly. We are thankful for the 79 years Eileen was given on this earth and for all the lives she touched while she was here! I was blessed to have known her. She will be deeply missed!

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Advent Conspiracy



I stole this from Pastor Mark's website. (Thanks, Mark!) Loved the video. Hope it makes you think about this Christmas season like it made me think.

Ryan

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Christmas Card Reject #1

Christmas Card Reject #1

Where's Jenny Craig when you need her? I am sure she could have airbrushed his little belly, but we think he is pretty cute just the way he is!