So, as of Friday, Chris has no job. His government contract job was rolled off and that resulted in his employment ending. He has had quite a few leads, and contacts and a few interviews, but as of today, no job to go to Monday.
We heard word of this back in July, so we knew it was coming, but doesn't make it any easier to swallow.
I do some part time work, but not enough to bring in anywhere close to what Chris brings in in income, not to mention the insurance factor, seeing as how I am nearly 4 months pregnant.
We have faced a lot of adversity in our lives, quite a bit in just the 4 years we have been together, and our faith always sees us through. Together, we ARE unstoppable.
I have no doubt that a job will present itself very soon and Chris will not have many days with which to sit around the house.
He has applied for a few jobs out in Oklahoma, and it has been no secret that we may very well move to Oklahoma before this is all over. The economy down there will give better to us and there to seems to be a harder market for his type of work, Denver still has a pretty soft market in that respect.
Chris has made a list of the things he wants to get done while he has some time to do so, but I have a feeling he will be interviewing quite a bit and working before too long.
If he finds something here, we will plan our move for sometime next year, perhaps when the kids are out for summer break, if, however he finds something in Oklahoma, or move will be even sooner.
He is making plans to file a motion to relocate Connor with us, for the plethora of benefits that he will get being so close to more family and being around his dad full time. He will still have ample opportunity to see his mom , as her parents and one of her sisters still live there.
Katie has not lived with us since January of 2007, and she prefers to live with her mom full time, and Chris doesn't want to force her into a situation where she will resent being made to do something she really doesn't want to do. Chris and Katie still e mail, talk on the phone and see each other ever so often, so they still have a relationship and thats what matters.
In other news, the pregnancy is still going, I swear this one is by far the most unusual of all 3 of my pregnancies. I have not craved junk food like I did with Owen, in fact I have craved some of the most healthy foods ever since about 2 weeks ago. I still have not gained much weight, which in itself is not bad, per se. However I am 15 weeks and have barely gained 2 lbs. By this time with both Donovan and Owen, I had gained a good 15-20 lbs. I keep telling myself that it's due to the fact that I started this time at my heaviest and that is the reason, the weight gain will come, I have no doubt.
Last week I swore I felt #5 wiggling around in there, but this week it has not been as active, I am sure its nothing to worry about, but as a mom, you can't help it. Chris assures me that it's all good and everything is fine. Sometimes, I have to remind myself just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful husband...I really would not have made it these past few years without him.

Owen is walking full time now, he may crawl oh, about 2% of the time, but from the minute he wakes to the minute he sleeps, he is on the move. He is into everything, and as curious as toddlers get, and we love it. His personality is really starting to shine, he knows what will get a laugh, and of course, he knows the art of throwing tantrums, he is well versed in that area.

Donovan started tackle football last week, and this coming week he starts contact practices, with full gear. He is going to test for his orange belt in Karate soon. We have talked with both his coach and his Sensei about his attitude at home, primarily to me, in the last months or so, he has really has some issues, but with work at home and the Dojo and football, he is really starting to straighten out.

Connor and Donovan recently went out to Kansas City, MO for a family reunion with my sister and parents. Chris and I stayed home, we don't need to be spending any extra money now, until that job does come. They had a great time, it was the first time that Connor had spent the weekend without Chris and me during our parenting time. The night they got back, I told him the "plan" to get him back to his mom's the next morning, and he just said to me" I am going to miss you guys!!!", boy did that make me feel great!!
He has also been saying things like "When we move to Oklahoma", instead of "If we move to Oklahoma", which tells us he will be ready when the time comes.

They both start school Tuesday, Donovan has the same teacher for 3rd grade that Connor had, and I am not sure yet who Connor has, but both 4th grade teachers are great, so he will be in good hands.

All three boys have really done a lot of growing up over the summer and Chris and I are so proud of them, looking at the adversity they themselves have had to face.

I have no doubt they will grow into fine, well adjusted young men in no time.

I promised a photo a while back, and I am sharing the most recent family shot that I have, it was taken at my dad's 60th birthday Celebration.

I hope to be back sooner rather than later.
until the next time....