2015! Bring it on!!!

So this is a picture of us on Christmas Eve 2014. Notice we are in bare feet and short sleeves, etc. It was pretty warm, around 70 degrees that day and the ones leading up to it. The week after Christmas was pretty cold, at least for Vegas standards. It was in the 20's at night and only 30's in the day. Snow was forecasted but never actually happened, at least not in Las Vegas. It did fall in many surrounding areas all the way around. Kind of crazy. 

Christmas this year was small and quiet, well, except for Jake keeping us entertained on his drumset he got for Christmas. He pretty much was the only one that got anything big. We all decided that this would be what happened. He loves them and it is helping further his schooling and stuff. Plus, they were on a pretty great deal. I'll see if I can post the little video we have of him playing for us on Christmas morning. He's pretty good. 

So the day after we moved here (so July 25th) I was scheduled to test for a job with the state of Nevada. It was for a position in the job connect area. I took the test and passed it, but did not even get an interview for that position. It was then that we learned that things here a completely different when it comes to hiring practices than they were in Utah. It was a little while, applying for everything either I or Dan were even remotely qualified for before this position came open. I interviewed for it in the beginning of October, but was not selected. At that point I saw the position posted again I applied again and again was called in the middle of November for an interview. This time I knew what they were going to ask me and had an entirely different way prepared. I focused on a different set of experience and was much more relaxed in the interview because I had done it before and I think having Dan here and driving me there gave me a little moral support that calmed me a little. I told him when the interview was over that I felt I had that position but I was too scared to hope for it or think about it.I have been and continue to work at Winco as a checker. This is a good place to work, however, it is not a steady income and is hard sometimes to count on. Very grateful I have it though. They have been pretty good to me.The state told me when I interviewed that I might not hear anything until the end of December, so I had a time frame. As the weeks went by I started losing hope more and more, but really felt as though this job was mine. So late in the afternoon of December 18th, Dan and I had to run an errand and while we were out I got a phone call, it was from the state of Nevada Welfare Services. The offered me the job! I was so excited. It was the best birthday present ever/ I start this job on Monday. I am incredibly nervous, but excited. My prayers were answered. Then, on the 23rd, after 3 months of searching and Dan coming to the point of craziness because he didn't have a job, he got 4 offers within 24 hours. He will start his new job as security at the D hotel and casino. He had already accepted another position, but decided to go to this interview anyway just to see what they had to offer, they hired him on the spot and basically told him that as soon as he was trained he would be promoted to supervisor. So this was our Christmas gift. I can't say enough how grateful I am for this. I have known in my heart and soul that we belong here for a reason and while I have not always felt secure about how things were going, I have had a crazy peace that everything was going to work out.This appears to be what is happening now. All I can do is be thankful for everything and everyone who has helped us along the way. Now we just go forth and rock these new jobs and everything will be as it should be and maybe we will get to live the life we have work so hard to obtain. 

Kyler is again installing systems for Vivint. We are very happy and appreciative to Derek for helping him get situated with this here. While we would be much more comfortable if he would get a different job with more secure hours, we are happy that he has one to go to. He is adjusting to life here and has been doing pretty well to help us around the house and so forth. 

Megan is still working on call with the security company, but hopefully if things work out well she will be working in the deli at Winco soon, or at Sonic in the local wal mart. She has found the local singles ward here and has been participating with that. Making new friends. 

Aubree is focusing on school and being encouraged to get a job. She is involved with the YW in the local ward and seems to enjoy herself. The ward here has been wonderful to us. They are aware of our family and how we feel about things and have just been there when asked. The have been very welcoming and non judging of us and our kids and we really appreciate that.    

Jake is between football seasons and spends time playing drums and is  in the jazz band at school. He appears to be somewhat of a ladies man and usually has girls hanging around. (he will freak when he reads this ;-)

We are looking to 2015 with much hope and encouragement. It's going to be great! 

Happy New Year!!!

~Christy