Job Updates

For some reason, we like to cram as many life changes into as short amount of time as possible. For example, Garet graduated from Auburn two days before we got married. At the rehearsal dinner, he was filling out paperwork for his new job that he started when we returned from our honeymoon. We were also moving all of our belongings from Auburn to storage and into an apartment. It was a crazy time, but we were young and in love :) (although Garet probably would have preferred to have had more sleep if you ask him).

Here we are 9 years later and making a lot of life changes within the span of two weeks because that is how we roll. A few months ago, Garet was offered a new job opportunity with one of his former bosses. After a lot of prayer and dialogue, we felt like it was time for a change. However, the contract took a little longer than anticipated and Garet wasn't able to start until this past week. Garet will be doing some of the same type work he has done in the past, but with less travel. It is a small business and we are looking forward to good times ahead.

His co-workers at TSI had a going away lunch for him last week and they all assured me that they would still be my Facebook friends - I have a harder time with break-ups than Garet :). In honor of the job change, Garet went out and bought a Wii - he had 3.5 weeks of vacation built up and he decided that if he didn't get to use it then he was going to put some of the money to good use! Levi is hooked on MarioKart - the kid is only 3 and already making a run for first place! He was even talking trash today (sigh) while on the "quarter pipe".

Now on to me... About a year ago, I began to feel like God was preparing me to do something else in regards to working and parenting. Since Levi was born almost 4 years ago, I have worked part time - most of that as the Life Group Minister at our church. Working has never been something I've had to do, but rather chosen to do - I had the best of both worlds - the work place and the home. I wasn't sure what was ahead for me at the time, so I just keep going - we were in an interim period at our church and didn't feel like I needed to make a big change. In January, we got the shock of our lives and found out we were pregnant. In case you are wondering, I still don't know how it happened. This was the start of some very hard months for me - my emotions were all over the place, I was really sick and I couldn't keep things together.

Once I got through that time, I began to really evaluate what the fall would look like for our family. Long story short, I decided to step down from being the Life Group Minister. There is an amazing story to go along with this as to how God worked out so many details in regards to this decision - I could cry just thinking about it. I've written it all down, but I feel like it is for me only right now. My last day was today and I can honestly say that I have an extreme peace about the future. Those who are around me often know that I am not exactly made for motherhood, but I can tell that God is pouring his grace on me right now.

The evening of Garet's going away lunch, we had my going away party - we joked that it was almost as if we were moving! Two of my other co-workers are moving on as well, so here are the three of us sharing what we will miss (and not miss) the most! I said that I would miss the daily interaction with my co-workers and being a part of their lives, but that I would NOT miss the meetings - especially those at night.
Below are some of my fellow co-workers and the management team from our church. I appreciate all the hard work they put into the evening and for the massage and pedicure gift cards - no better thing for a 38 week pregnant girl!

That's the low-down on Garet and I - Garison's update is another story in itself....

Facebook Adventures

Warning: this post turned out way more nerdy than originally intended. Sigh.

About a year ago, I switched over to Facebook. Soon after joining, I asked Garet to join and he finally said, "When you get 500 friends, I will". Of course, he said that when I was around 150 friends thinking the day would never come. Well, this week I approached the 500 mark and suddenly my friend number began to drop. Turns out Garet made a deal with some of his buddies (Person 1, Person 2, and Person 3 (DC)) that they would drop me when I got close to 500 friends so that Garet wouldn't have to join. Can you feel the love???

Despite their efforts, Garet joined since I would have 500 friends had the conspiracy not taken place. He does have to live with me after all :).

Every time I mentioned his holdout to people, they would ask, "How in the world do you know 500 people?". Truth is, I didn't know myself! Granted I like to talk...to anyone really, I've moved around, I work at a church, I've had my share of jobs, I married into Garet's ginormous family, and there are not many people these days that are not on Facebook.

Since I'm a math major, I do what all good math majors do and analyze. What better than a pie chart - we do like our charts and March 14th (right, Allison M?).

So, here are all my Facebook friends in pie chart glory:

My commentary:

• Auburn - 107 (the largest group by 1. We were blessed to get to know so many great people through the Auburn BCM, our church (Lakeview), and my fellow math majors :)
• Hillwood - 106 (this is the church I grew up in. It has been so much fun reconnecting with all those people I grew up with - most of these are from the youth group, but it does include many parents of my friends as well!)
• The Brook - 86 (my current church. It pays in Facebook friends to be on staff :). Seriously, I love these people!)
• Grissom - 65 (these are people that I knew from High School that I didn't go to church with. Keep in mind that my high school had over 2000 people. Most of these people I was on the flag corp with or in the band with. Great memories)
• Along Life's Way - 45 (most of this number is from spouses and family members of some of my closest friends but also includes friends that have moved away)
• Family - 36 (did I mention Garet has about a million cousins?)
• Local - 36 (various people I've met here in town whether through the kids school or we used to go to church together)
• Old Jobs/Garet's co-workers - 17 (speaks for itself)

So, there you have it - how to get 500 friends on facebook without even trying :).

The Materialism Monster

A couple of weeks ago, we started this new series at our church called "Monsters". Last week our new pastor, Brian, challenged us on the "Me Monster". In other words, "we aren't the center of the universe" to quote my mother. Good reminders, steps taken, but still a daily battle.

This week was on the "Materialism Monster". Josh, our student minister, spoke about how if we constantly crave more and more, our focus is not on the right thing and we will never be satisfied. I'll be honest, the "Me Monster" is a much bigger challenge for me than the "Materialism Monster" or so I thought....

Fast forward two days to this morning. While I was buckling Levi in the van, Kara promptly crawled into the front and poured my drink in her lap and all over our new van (diet cherry pepsi to be exact- errr). I am not my best in the morning and immediately yelled: "Kara, you just ruined our new van!!!".

Levi promptly said: "Mom, it is STILL a new van".

Josh, I'm afraid Levi got the last line on your sermon. Ouch.

Eggstravaganza

We had a busy, busy Easter weekend, but lots of fun. Forget the fact that I took NO pictures on the actual day of Easter - the kids baskets and outfits will just have to be a memory in my head. Maybe next year will be the year for photo greatness since it wasn't this year or last year.

We started the festivities off with coloring Easter eggs. I was lucky enough to catch Levi with a "natural" smile AND looking at the camera: Kara wasn't so sure about this dye stuff:

She did like throwing the "balls" into the dye, however:

Amazingly, no dye was spilled during this process:

Putting the final decorations on:

I had to include this picture, because Kara likes to prop her foot up on the table and it cracks me up:

The next day, our church had an Eggstravaganza for all the kids. Levi invited his best buddy in the whole world, Aaron, to come along. They have the best time together - I just love to watch them interact! Here they are working on their crafts:

Kara chowing down on a cookie. The girl has a serious sweet tooth:

What Easter party wouldn't be complete without tattoos? I think Kara was trying to decide whether or not it was permanent. Thankfully, hers was not:

Levi's on the other hand, will not come off! We are on day 9 and have tried numerous methods to remove it and it is still there. At least it is on his arm and since we seem to have the temperatures of Alaska this April, the long sleeves have hidden it:

Also joining in the festivities were cousins Caleb & Kaitlyn. Levi could barely contain himself with cousins & Aaron all in one place!!

The egg hunt for the 3 and under crowd. Planning the attack:

And they are off!

Kara will never be outdone:

Levi & Aaron scored big time. As the "older" kids on the hunt, they helped themselves to lots of eggs....42 to be exact. Let's just say that I was not anticipating having so much candy at the house. Baby #3 is enjoying lots of sugar. Sigh.

We are so thankful to be close to friends and family and to be able to celebrate that the "big rock was rolled away" (Levi) and Jesus is alive!

The Grand Prix

Several weeks ago, our Awana program at church started advertising for their "Grand Prix" race. Always a kid at heart, Garet immediately went and signed up "Levi" for the race. The two of them had a good time painting and decorating the car. However, Garet had to be gone two weeks and we weren't sure if he would be back in time. He ended up taking the red-eye home and got back just in time to attach the wheels and head to the race.

Levi testing out the track before the race. His car is red for "Lightning McQueen" - who else?

Because Levi isn't quite old enough for Awana's, he was in the general church category which just so happened to be filled with ladies. Here he is with them getting ready to start:

And they are off! Levi's car won first on the first heat. He was so excited. Because he was the only boy, all the kids were cheering for him. Levi was totally taking it all in and was cracking me up. It was very out of the norm for him - he can be quite shy in situations like this.

Garet and Kara looking on:

After the races:

Levi got 3rd place for design and 3rd place for speed. He really wanted a "piston cup", but unfortunately they were only for the 1st place winner. Garet found an old trophy he had won and he gave that to Levi when we got home.

Ms. Mary and Ms. Susan rounded out the final three. I thought this picture was hilarious!

Instead of a "piston cup", Levi won some medals. Showing off the earnings:

Letting Kara get a glimpse of the winner's circle:

"Wrapping" at Christmas

We had two kinds of "wrapping" coming out of our house this season. First, the kids helped me wrap Garet's gift - a wonderful masterpiece: Second, Garet "wrapping" with his Shepard's Crew:

The second picture is a bit blurry, but they were hilarious! The kids in children's church thought they were great (and I did too!).

Birthday-ville

Over the last 5 weeks, we have had a record number of birthday parties. Apparently a few other people thought the fall was a good time to have children!

Ms. Hannah turned two in November and Miki made the most unbelievable cake. At first glance you might think those are plastic animals on top. Au Contraire! Miki made all of those (edible) animals. I had to get a picture:

I failed to get a picture of Hannah, but Harrison and Levi sure did enjoy the cake:

We celebrated Garet's and our nephew Landon's birthday together. This picture is of all 7 cousins on Garet's side. It cracks me up that of the 8 people in the picture, not one of them is looking at the camera. Elyssa wins the best expression award:
The Fields Family

We enjoyed a breakfast at Davis' house for his second birthday. This was our first of THREE parties this day. Thankfully, they were all at different times. Kara, especially enjoyed this swing:

Here's Davis on his new tricycle!

Party #2 was for Levi's school friends who are twins. We enjoyed a morning at Earlyworks playing in Biscuit's Backyard. Parker and Levi got soaked at the water table:

Kara and Peyton spent some time in the play area:

Kara really liked moving all the pieces:

We ended the day at the bowling alley. Levi had never been bowling before, so I was thrilled to see they had these ramps (as well as the bumpers) for the littlest kids:

Levi was very into watching his ball go down the alley:

Happy 4th Birthday, Annin!

Last week, Garet took the kids to Harrison's 2nd Birthday at Build-A-Bear. I wasn't able to make it because I was otherwise engaged, but it looks like the kids had a blast. Here is Kara with "Flopsey" pre-stuffed:

Levi getting "Aubie" stuffed:

Levi "washed" Flopsey off for Kara:

The kids with their animals:

The kids have had a great time partying it up the last few weeks (and mommy & daddy have too!). Happy Birthday everyone!

Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head and M&Ms

That's what I won at our annual Life Group Christmas Party - I know you are jealous. Every year, we play Dirty Santa, but this year, we decided to bring things from around the house instead of buying gifts. The result? A lot of laughter. We chose to give the money we would have spent on gifts to an orphanage in Guatemala for diapers. How cool is that? I love my group!

The highlight of the game was, of course, the aforementioned basket from the Stone residence. Here's a better glimpse in case you missed it - notice the animal detail:

I re-gifted a lamp and a Christmas puzzle which provided minutes of enjoyment:

Garet was out of town for the festivities, so my date got to be none other than the man of the evening:

The group:

Some of my favorite people!