Hardman Household: October 2010

Hi Everyone!

Sorry, I know it's been a while. And I don't really even have any pictures to show for it. (I've lost my cord that I connect to my computer to download pictures, but as soon as that is found, I will post some. PROMISE). But lots has happened so I thought I should share, even though there aren't any NEW pictures to go with it. READY FOR AN UPDATE???

MANDY UPDATE:

I got a job! Well, actually, I got 2 jobs! :) I had been applying for like 3ish jobs a day. For 3 weeks. I had lots of interviews for lots of positions.

JOB #1: APX ALARMS, SCHEDULER:
I was offered a job on Oct 6th or 7th or something (started on October 11th) with APX Alarms. The company has some amazing perks and some equally amazing staff. My job title: Scheduler. Basically I call technicians to go to people's houses to install new alarms, upgrade to newer alarms, or fix broken alarms. Here's the kicker: I have to get appointments for people that aren't already available... Meaning I have to call people and ask them to work overtime. IT'S SUPER BUSY, KINDA STRESSFUL. But the company is good. The perks are good. The food is FABULOUS! I put in my notice to leave last week (with an "I'm really sorry I didn't last longer!" letter) because I got job #2.

JOB #2: UTAH STATE, OFFICE SPECIALIST (ie. SECRETARY):
On week #2 at APX, when I left for the day, I turned my phone off silence and saw I missed several calls and had a few messages. I checked my messages and to my surprise, I had a message about the State job I applied for. A Secretary for a Maintenance Department at a hospital for people with disabilities. It was the job I wanted. I called him back and was offered the job! :) Super excited! So I have accepted and start on November 1st. I can't wait. The pay is more and you get insurance from day 1. :) :) :)

JEREMIAH UPDATE:

Jeremiah was laid off from Utah Timber Frames because it's just too darn slow in the construction industry. His boss there said he will give him a superb reference (because, you know, the boy has SKILLS!). Jeremiah has been applying for pretty much everything, everywhere. Hoping he'll find something stable that he likes soon. He's had lots of leads, so hopefully one will pan out. In the mean time, he's staying home with the monkeys and showing me up on the house wife duties. I hate to admit it, but he keeps the house cleaner and dishes and laundry done better than I ever did.

Also, Jeremiah and I are attending Dave Ramsey money management classes. Jeremiah's done great about selling things we don't need anymore. He's actually got almost $500 in our emergency fund. He's sold guns, ammo, scuba equipment, skates, sunglasses - I'm super proud of him and his dedication. He also called Dish Network and canceled our satellite (which was the last of our 'luxury' items!

DARTANION UPDATE:

DarTanion has finally decided that reading isn't terrible. In fact, he's finally starting to enjoy reading! YAY!!! He's been reading our family a chapter or 2 each night from different Frog and Toad books. DarTanion is doing better at school and is making new friends.

Since I had training at APX, Jeremiah took DarTanion to see Odyssey Dance Company's Thriller (I won 2 tickets on Facebook). Jeremiah laughed because they were probably the only Father / Son combo attending (without a wife/mom). They both loved it. Tanion, of course, liked the dance numbers with guns, swords, killing, blood - oh, and the clown. :)

ARCHER UPDATE:

My cute little Kindergartner has been doing super awesome in school. His teacher has said that sometimes she still has to do some redirection with him, but that mostly, he's doing as he is told. :) I think it might have to do with the reward sheet we've created. Looks like I'll be buying a new Thomas train next weekend! His teacher has also decided that Archer is ready to start learning to read. She has sent home little books for him to practice. So exciting!

Also, Archer has a passion for making his own books. He's made probably 2-4 per week, about everything and anything (food, bodies, numbers, letters, animals). I look forward to each little book's completion. I've got a surplus of little blank books (construction paper front, blank pages inside) for him to make.

ROBYNSON UPDATE:

Oh, Robyn... She is learning more every day about using her cuteness to get what she wants. She will come up to you and give you a big hug and say "I love you!" then she'll smile and walk away. Usually into the kitchen, where she grabs a cookie, Root Beer or a string cheese and ask you to open it. :) Or into the computer room and get a game (her current favorite is 'Break the Ice') and bring it out for you to play with her.

Robyn has been more whiny lately, but I think it's because suddenly it's not just Robyn and Mom at home anymore. It's Dad and Robyn. And Dad doesn't give Robyn the same kind of attention as mom. And he isn't as big of a push over. :) She loves chasing the boys around when they get home from school. I think she misses having them around, too.

The Family :)

(except Jeremiah - he had to work)

Well, that's a condensed version about what's gone on with our little family. Of course, there was a trip to Tooele to Jillian's birthday (still have to upload pictures, sorry!) and Alona's baptism (I'll do a post on my other site: www.itonlymatterstomandy.blogspot.) I hope I can post pictures soon of our pumpkin patch / carving adventures and other fun things... As soon as I find that darn cord...

Hope all is great with all of you! Much love!

Sorry, friends. I've had kind of a busy month. Or so it seems. :)

I've been applying for jobs like a crazy woman. And going to interviews. And watching kids. And helping out at the boys school. And trying not to lose Archer. And running errands. And writing the Primary Sacrament Program for our ward. And staffing our Nursery. And organizing my still messy and cluttered house. And garage. And I've typed and lost this blog. TWICE. And you get the idea. :) So here are some cute pictures to hopefully make up for my absence... Hope you enjoy! :)