Sharing talents

The last weekend in October turned out to be a little tricky.  Joseph and Jonas had campouts plus all day Saturday merit badge meetings, so we didn't get to spend time with them.  Since we had stake conference and the Fredericksburg ward had their Primary program on Sunday, we arranged to have the younger kids on Friday and Saturday this weekend.  We had fun swimming, going out to eat, getting foot massages from Jenna, custom bracelets from Hyrum, and decorating cupcakes.   James was able to make his leadership training Saturday afternoon and we both were able to attend the adult session.  We missed our stake conference meeting Sunday, but we did get a text regarding who the new Stake President was.

 

I'm glad that the children were able to participate in at least one of their Primary programs.  At the beginning each child introduced themselves as a Child of God.  Jonas also indicated that he was a good brother, Hyrum said that he was good at games, Jenna likes to make new friends, and Joy said that she is a good dancer.   

 

Budget Impacts

For fiscal year 2013 Census was able to put hiring, travel and training on hold to save money from the sequester to avoid mandatory days off or other cuts.  For 2014 we were not so lucky.  Wednesday afternoon I got an email about a mandatory meeting.  Thursday morning 86 of us found out how the budget short falls would affect us.  Our positions were being cut.  We were given the option to take a temporary assignment to another area of the Census Bureau in order to keep our jobs.  The hope is that our budget situation will improve and we would be able to return to our positions in 120 days.  If funding stays at current levels that won't even happen.  I definitely feel like I am 'taking one for the team'.  Starting Nov 4 I will be working in Human Resources.  I guess I'm glad that I still have a job, but I'm not sure what to think about this sudden career change.

Columbus Day Camping

With the National Parks closed, we didn't go to Shenandoah as originally planned, but we had a lot of fun at Pohick Regional Park.  It was Joy's first time camping, and the first time that Hyrum and Jenna remember.  One of the boys described us as setting up our tent "like a hotel".  Yes, I like my air mattress, and we are good with using blankets rather than a sleeping bag.  We had tin foil dinners, and a fabulous breakfast of both pancakes and a mountain man breakfast (with sausage, eggs, and potatoes).  We had a really good spot, close to both the bathrooms and the playground.  In the morning we split into groups to play Frisbee golf and go mini golfing.  We let everyone pick what they wanted to do, but it did end up being a boy/girl split.  We are looking forward to going camping again!

Lake Michigan

What I really wanted to do during the shutdown was to take a trip to see lighthouses. (Surprise, Surprise!)  I contacted my cousin in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and lined up a place to stay with them.  We had no idea how long the shut down would last, but we decided the sooner we took off, the better.  We listened to general conference in the car on Saturday.  On the way we stopped by Grand Lake, Ohio, which has three lighthouses.  James attended priesthood session that evening with my cousin.  It was fun to hang out with them for a while.  I've been in the DC area for 15 years, and really haven't had any family live close. 

The weather was pretty interesting for our trip down Lake Michigan.  It was cold and wet and windy, so after our first lighthouse stop, we purchased some hats and ponchos, to be better prepared for our trip.  By the end of the next day, it was 80 degrees, and there were people out in swimsuits on the beach. The Grand Haven Lighthouse was under construction, but we were there at sunset and compensated by a fabulous water show as the waves crashed against the pier.  We climbed sand dunes, and enjoyed the rocks, shells, birds, and other 'treasures' along the beach.  Some of the leaves were changing along the way to add to the beautiful scenery.  The best part was spending this extra time with my amazing husband.

First Things First

October 1 James and I went into work just long enough to complete our timesheets, set up an out of office message, get our plants, and whatever else we needed to do to conduct an orderly shutdown.  As long as the shutdown doesn't last for too long, the time off of work isn't a terrible thing.  Tuesday we went to Lowes to get our shed.  We (i.e. James) did some more planning and prep work for the base, and Thursday we had two friends over to help us build a new shed.  No longer do we have the embarrassing rust trap out back off its base, but now a respectable looking shed.  I won't lie.  It was a lot of work... and I did very little of the heavy lifting.  I'm glad that I have an office job!  Or at least I still think I have an office job....  

 

 

Huntley Meadows

Sunday walks are the best.  Especially when you see frogs and turtles along your way.

 

The Miracle of Life

This week we have been dealing with a variety of loss.  Grandpa Butikofer passed away.  I am grateful to have met him, and am grateful for the legacy of faith and testimony that he left.  James is particularly grateful that his grandfather is now reunited with his sweetheart.

I am in the midst of my second miscarriage.  I postponed getting the physical care I needed.  After a trip to the emergency room, I realized that this is not going to be a simple process.  And that I need help.  I still have more follow-up visits, but am grateful for the help I was able to get, and am more confident that I am on the road to recovery now.  Our first miscarriage was a fairly quick discovery - no heartbeat on our first ultrasound.  The concern this time has been more drawn out... with some light, then heavier, then extremely heavy bleeding.  We were hopeful for a while that things might still be okay.  While one miscarriage is often "normal" and I was told not to be concerned, I have found this second miscarriage to be quite depressing.  I am of course concerned what it may mean for additional chances to have a successful pregnancy.  I have also had other difficult emotions to deal with.  It took me a little while to realize the source.  In 2005 I had someone I love die.  In 2007 I met someone, and found many similarities to the relationship and the circumstances.  I had a fear that he might too die, but told myself that there was no need to make that comparison and that it was an unreasonable expectation.  Unfortunately I did experience that double whammy of a loss.  With my first pregnancy, my brother and his wife were also pregnant at the same time.  "Ironically" they also miscarried at the same time.  With this recent pregnancy, another brother and his wife are also pregnant.  In addition to my own heartache, I have been distraught that they too might experience a similar loss.  There are things we can control and things we cannot.  I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven.  It is supremely comforting to know that He is in control.  He knows our weaknesses, our fears, our perspectives, and what we need.  I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I am so grateful for the priesthood power.  I am so grateful for eternal families. I am so grateful for the many reminders of how precious this life is.   I am so grateful for first, second, and third chances. 

Primary Field Day and Dyke Marsh

Making Pickles

I'm not a big pickle fan, but my husband makes some awesome bread and butter pickles.

 

 





Labor Day Weekend

We debated about going camping, but with Labor Day being the first weekend we had the children in our home overnight, we decided to say local and work on settling in.  Turned out that we did a fair bit of exploring as well.  We had a lot of fun going clothes shopping, planting grass, going fishing, going to church, playing games, and visiting Great Falls.