Long Overdue Update

We realize that we have been bad about updating our blog recently. Since our last post at the end of 2009 nearly four months ago, not much has changed in our lives. Judy is still working part-time from home for the Idaho Virtual Academy grading English papers. Since our office space is not secluded from the girls, Judy often kicks the girls and me out of the house to get some quality time to grade papers. I usually end up driving around the valley looking for something to do.

You have probably already figured out that I am still looking for a job. It has now been nine months and, while I have been more successful as of late securing interviews, I have yet to secure a job. Most recently, I had two interviews for a Project Manager position with the Boise airport. I was one of three final candidates out of 140, but was not offered the position. While I was encouraged to make it so far in the process, I am often finding myself disappointed in my job search. I feel for others (millions) who are in the same situation. Being unemployed has been very humbling. I often hear the naysayers in the media complaining about the “lazy” jobless who are “riding the unemployment train” and I get very frustrated. I know that I am an excellent engineer and that I am only out of work because the work had dried up and hasn’t returned. I know that it a matter of time before things pick up and I hope and pray that it happens soon.

On a more positive note, Jillian has continued to improve developmentally by leaps and bounds. Since she started walking in late September, she has learned how to run, walk up stairs, climb onto the dining room table, and do most things her big sister can do. While she was once being fed five times during the day and all throughout the night from her feeding tube, she is now down to three daytime feeds and the night feed. She is eating more solids orally and has gained a few percentage points on the growth chart, to the delight of her feeding specialist. Jill is now talking in complete sentences and loves to sing and dance. Her pediatrician thinks that Jill’s speech is advanced for her age. This shows that her nutritional needs have been getting met. We are hoping that she will be completely off the feeding tube within a year. It appears that Jill is on her way to living a healthy, normal life. Prior to her birth, she was only given about a one percent chance of achieving this. We are extremely grateful for this answer to prayer.

Katelyn is now a growing 4-year-old. She will attend pre-school this fall and then kindergarten the following year. We can’t believe how fast she is growing up. She has an amazing memory. She remembers details about things like what she was wearing two years ago when so-and-so was at our house. Almost Rain Man-like quality. Maybe she will be the genius of the family.

We will try to be better about providing updates in the future.