Job Changes Wadman to Sure Steel

Yes the title is correct we have accepted a new position at Sure Steel where Matt will run their business development branch. Im so excited and proud of the wonderful man I married. He refuses to ever settle and is always improving himself. I really think this job will be so good for him. A place where he will be challenged, appreciated, and thrive. We had been at Wadman for 5 years. Although we had enjoyed our time with them nothing was changing. Matt never felt like he was included there. Our hope in taking the business development job at Wadman a year ago was that the feeling would change and he would feel more appreciated and part of the team. Sadly that did not happen nor did we foresee that happening in the future. When this opportunity came about we were not looking for a new job and Matt was not particularly unhappy. Matt was approached by the current head of BD and asked to apply for the position since he would be moving to Texas to run the new office there. Matt cam home really excited and I immediately felt good about the idea. One Friday Matt and I headed on a date and he wanted to drop his resume off to the office. I sat in the car while he ran it in but he was gone 40 minutes!!! I was slightly concerned but didn't really know what to do. When he came back he looked shocked and said he was just interviewed in his flip flops and shorts. The following Monday they called and asked to meet with him again this time it was a 2 hour process in which he met with several of the company in different capacities so they could all get a feel for him and him for them(never heard of this but think its a fantastic idea). Later that week he met with the president and the following day we received an offer. By that point Matt and I had both prayed about it and knew what we were going to do but we still sat down and ran the numbers to make sure they made sense and it did so on July 3rd we accepted the offer. That same day Matt gave his notice to Wadman it didn't go great but it was what Matt was expected. Spencer was sad to lose him but Hogan(the acting president of Wadman) was pretty abrupt and offish and just asked when his last day would be. Matt told them his last day would be the 18th of July but we had vacation already scheduled so his last day would be the 16th and we would use 2 of our 10 days of vacation we had left. In hind site I wish we would have taken a week off and then put in our notice so we could have used our vacation since they wouldn't cash it out. So our notice was in and new contract signed. I thought things were going ok although we still had to buy a car(Matt gets a car allowance at Sure Steel) and tie up lose ends. Not a truck but he really likes his car for now.

Matt started the week out trying to get a ton of stuff done only to find out the other business development guy had decided over the weekend to put in his notice as well. It made things worse for Matt and fueled Hogans fire. Wed afternoon Matt was working on getting everything completed and received a call from Hogan letting him know that Friday would be his last day(a week earlier than we had planned). Hogan said several things that I consider about as unprofessional as it gets and told Matt he had screwed the company enough and that's why there was no reason for him to stay another week. Matt called me upset and frustrated. We decided to take the high road and just be done at the end of the week but that also left us in a bit of a mess knowing that Matt would have to turn his vehicle in and we would have no job for a week. Matt called Mark(president at Sure Steel) and explained the situation Mark told Matt he could start early if he wanted but we ultimately decided to take the week off and enjoy some time as a family. Although we did have some time to do things Matt needed to spend the majority of the time doing homework....which sucked. But Im glad he was able to have the time to do that. The girls did enjoy getting to help him cook a couple nights and he got to see how crazy it can be letting 2 girls help you cook dinner....lol

After a weekend at Bear Lake with Matt's family he started at Sure Steel on Monday. He still remains very excited and optimistic that he is really going to like it. I'm hopefully that he will feel appreciated and accepted at Sure Steel and they will allow him to work to his full potential. Here's to new beginnings and hoping for great things to come.

Are we old enough to have a Kindergartner???

So Hallie is getting really excited about going to kindergarten next month...as for me I have mixed feelings. She is such a smart girl and can't seem to get enough when it comes to learning. We have started ready this summer and Im pretty sure she is going to be smarter than me by 3rd grade if not sooner. At that point Im unsure as to who will help her do her homework. Matt and I are so proud of the sweet little girl she has become. she is very social and friendly. She definitely has some sass when she wants to. She is such a big helper and a great big sister to Grace. I never would have imagined how close our 2 girls could be. Hallie brings a feeling our peace into our house and helps keep me on my toes. She is very organized, observant, and has a fantastic memory. This past week we went to what they call Upstart orientation. It is a program put on by the state that helps prepare preschool age kids for kindergarten mostly through reading but also incorporates science and math. Since she technically kindergarten age until next school year she qualifies for the program. She was so excited about the whole idea and process that happened this day. Im excited to see her learn and grow and to see what her life can become.

Watch out world this little girl is going to make a huge difference in this world!!!

Sunday Cousin Cuddles and Fireworks

Last Sunday Nic and the kids came up for dinner since Kyle was out of town for work. After dinner the kids were playing while Nic, Matt, and I watched a movie. One by one the kids started to join us. Rigs got a little scared so Hallie told him she would cuddle him to protect him...it was so cute. She kpet telling him they were just computer generations and not real. He was good with the cuddle but didn't like when she tried to play with his hair.

Then Gracie joined the group

 And last but not least Kinley even slowed down and cuddled for a couple minutes. I really love how much these kids love each other and how excited they get to be together.

 Then out came the silly faces

It was a pretty laid back day just spent being together. We were all going to go to the fireworks but Nic's kids decided it was time for bed so she took them home. Later that night our little family walked up to the fireworks with some neighbors and watched the fireworks while we ate popcorn and played with glow sticks. Another great way to end a summer weekend. I can't believe how fast summer is going.

Silly Gracie

This girl seriously has her daddy's sense of humor she is hilarious and makes us laugh on a daily basis. This particular morning she woke up and came out of her room like this and said she was ready for the day. I was already at church at a meeting but Matt took a picture so I could see this silly girl. I was impressed she had even picked a bow that matched.

 A couple Saturdays ago we spent most of our day cleaning/organizing the garage and shed. The girls were so good and entertained themselves easily most of the day. In the afternoon we got the pool out so the girls could swim. After a while Gracie wanted her towel and kept it on for pretty much the rest of the day. She insisted she eat with it on. And when I tried to take it away would cry because she wanted to be a penguin....seriously Im not sure where she gets this stuff.

Its funny to see what a great mix both the girls are of both Matt and I but Hallie is definitely more serious like I am and Gracie is more silly like Matt. It works out quite well since the girls seem to balance each other much like Matt and I do. Love this silly girl.

A Crazy Thought....Bathroom Remodeling

On Thursday I got a wild idea that we should update both bathrooms not just with decor but also paint and redoing the cabinets. Another thing to note is that I'm typically not that patient of a person and once I get an idea in my head I have a hard time focusing until it is complete. I talked to Matt and he was on board but between riding in the MS bike race and writing a couple papers for his master program I was going to be pretty much on my own. Thursday evening while Matt was working on his paper the girls and I headed out to get decor and paint swatches so we could make some decisions. Friday the girls and I bought paint for the walls, stain for the cabinets, and more decor. When Matt left for Logan we started tearing everything apart and got a pretty good start on everything. Of coarse the prep works was what took the most time and my arms and hands were so tired of scrubbing.

These are the Pre-pics for the upstairs bathroom

 And the pre-pics for the basement bathroom

After putting the kids to bed I stayed up til just after midnight getting the 1st coat of stain on the cabinets and headed to bed. Saturday morning I got up early to do the 2nd and 3rd coats before the girls got up. This is the difference between the 2nd and 3rd coats of the stain/paint

Matt got home about 1 and while I put the protectant coat on the cabinets he worked on painting the upstairs bathroom. We had choose a grey with blue undertones to update the space.

I am finding the older I get the harder time I have with things unfinished. If I could have survived with no sleep I probably would have stayed up until it was completely finished and put back together. We had talked about doing the kitchen as well but I think we will hold out on that one. Im pretty happy with how they turned out. The upstairs bathroom ended up darker than I had anticipated or really wanted but I think it looks better than what was there. But I love how the basement turned out. Another DIY project completed.

Another Day at the Lake.....Just Relaxing with the Lindseys

Last weekend we finally found time in our busy schedules that matched up with the Lindsey's to get out and have some fun. We spent some time trying to teach the girls how to ski and then did some tubing. Most of our day was spent floating around having swim breaks. It was a great time hanging out in the sun.

By the time we were done everyone was exhausted and both the girls slept the entire way home.

That night we picked up dinner and called it an early night. The next morning meant getting everyone up early so we could get to church on time. But before we woke Gracie up she came out and said she was ready to go to church...hair bow and all...lol. Love this little girls personality and spunk

Our 4th of July

Saturday morning we opted out all of the morning festivities since we wanted to make sure Hallie was going to be ok and at least 24 hours out of having a fever. I was so bummed when my parents decided not to come for the 4th and then with both kids sick we didn't have the option to hang out with friends or Matt's family for fear we would get someone else sick. When I think of the 4th I think of family, food, fun, and fireworks so I was really frustrated with the situation. So when noon came and both girls were doing great we decided to get out and do some car shopping. with Matt changing jobs we were in the market for a new vehicle. We drove around the parking lots looking and if we saw one we saw Matt would get out to look while the kids and I sat in the car and watched a movie. It was super exciting....not. I hate car shopping. After the entire morning shopping we grabbed some lunch and headed home for naps. After naps we were ready for something more fun but also wanted to stay in open space just in case. So we found some cheap tickets to the demolition derby and headed out. Hallie loves the demolition derby but Gracie was to little to remember the last time we went but we know now she also loves it. When we first got there for the first hour it was so hot but luckily the sun went down quickly so we could really enjoy ourselves

It was so sweet to watch Gracie put her hand on her heart while they sang the national anthem to celebrate this special day. Im so proud to be an American!!!

Gettin our redneck on

We sat on the 3rd row on the isle so the girls spent their restless time in the isle and playing on the platform below.

We also took some pom poms to the girls could cheer for the cars they chose each heat

After a while we started to get hungry and while Matt was gone getting food the girls and I to some pictures of us enjoying the beautiful night

Our silly faces

At some points it was really loud so there was some ear covering

The girls decided on nachos to eat and I think they enjoyed every bite

During the final heat a huge fight broke out  below us and by the time they got it under control the heat was over but no one knew who won:( After they cleared the trouble makers out they shut the lights off for the fireworks. The girls were both so excited and had talked about it all day they didn't disappoint. Even though I missed spending time with our families it ended up being a good day with just us. Happy Independence Day!!!