Ten days ago it snowed here in the greater Sacramento area. Our house didn't see any snowflakes, but we decided we should offer the snow a warm (Get it?) welcome and drove 30 minutes to the snow for a little sledding, snowball throwing, and snow angel making.
We don't own a sled, so we took a Rubbermaid container for E to slide in. When we got to the snowy hills, another kid offered to let E and T use his sled and they happily accepted. Observe:
Twas a wild ride. I love the shocked expression on E's face. I know how he feels. That morning, T went into work and was laid off. Appropriate, huh? Sacramento knew there was a cold front coming, but didn't expect the snow they got: We knew T's company had been struggling, but didn't expect such a sudden lay-off.
It's been a weird experience thus far. I grew up pretty poor and when T and I were dating we talked about our greatest fears. I told him I only had one really big fear: him losing his job. I really need to learn to stop saying things like that. I think Heavenly Father listens especially closely when I say I won't/don't want to do anything.
When T told E what had happened, E had the perfect response. It went a little like this:
T: Do you remember Daddy's Boss-Man? (E has always affectionately called him that.)
E: Yeah!
T: Well, I don't work for that Boss-Man anymore and now I need to work really hard to find another Boss-Man.
E: Wait... Daddy!!!! Mommy can be your Boss-Man. Yeah!!!
That kid's a genius. Anyway, T now spends 8 hours a day finding a job. We're looking everywhere and anywhere, but right now everything is uncertain and somewhat frightening. At the end of every year, T and I have always projected where we'll be in life at Christmastime the coming year. I realized this year has been the most unexpected ever: twins, the UT house that took forever to sell, the financially declining situation at T's work, T laid off.
That said, we're blessed in abundance with the things money can't buy: beautiful, healthy children, a wonderful marriage, a happy home, the restored gospel. We appreciate your care and concern for our family and would love your faith and prayers in our behalf. And if you happen to be in line at the grocery store and the person behind you says that they really need to hire a chemical engineer, send them our way. :o)
