Once again, up in the air

For some of you may be wondering what our plans are? I currently question that myself. Okay, so Trevor got rehired by the same company that laid him off. We had heard that only 5 out of the 40 got asked to come back and Trevor was one of them. They have been in business for quite awhile, surely they have straightened up their mess right? We accepted the job, because it was the only solid offer he currently had, why turn it down?! So he accepted to start with them (of which he has been working for nearly 3 weeks) I went down with Trevor to Houston area to check out homes (great time to buy and rent there is horrific). Geographically everything made sense. The LDS temple was close. The Bush Intercontinental airport was close. There were plenty ward members and houses and last but not least my children were invited to study with Mr. Zachary Carrettin at Rice University.
I was so excited for this. This guy is friends with their former teacher William Fedkenheur of the Fry Street quartet
Zachary is quite an accomplished violinist and now is mastering as a violist. He would have made an excellent music mentor for Alexis and MaKayla. With this gentleman's bio and his fame even on wikipedia, I was honored and ecstatic to say the least. He was even going to help hook me up with a coworker to have Jessica study cello with. And he happens to be married to a concert pianist. She was going to open a studio of 5 students, Justin being one of them. I was thrilled. Could it work out more perfectly? Providentially? What an opportunity for the kids to be around so much.
Everything made sense to move to Houston. Before we knew any different we went down there looked at several homes and neighborhoods and were quite impressed at the magnificent homes for as inexpensive as they were. Southern mansions and impeccable neighborhoods. I was shocked for Texas. But why didn't it feel warm and fuzzy? Why couldn't we know if it was right and feel that?
So he starts with them and little by little finds out more and more of what is going on with this company.
1.) Trevor was the second guy to accept coming back with nobody else would. They asked all forty.
2.)There is something wrong with his aircraft every time he gets in it. It is nerve wracking to be in the middle of the ocean and have your GPS die, find an oil leak and have things half put together like some patch job. One of his coworkers went through 6 aircraft before he finally found one he felt was safe to fly. All others had things breaking on them.
3.) They are short on pilots, many are quiting.
4.) Trevor's area manager pulled all the guys in from that area for a safety meeting and afterwards told them all to get their resumes out because the company is not doing well. He told them to get their hours and get out of the company as soon as possible.
5.)The chief pilot quit and went somewhere else.
6.)It appears they're being bought over and there is speculation that everything will be liquidated and the company will dissolve.

Back in June of 2010 when he went to work for the company he was employed for three months. I went to work on the house and packing and did a lot of it without Trevor. 8 days after we had our home listed we got an offer. And when I moved out and transitioned into Trevor's parent's house he got laid off, 3 months later. We were on our way out. So close. Now this. It's still not safe to move on. I can only keep faith that God has not forgotten us. I know, there are worse things in the world than our situation and many more people who are in dire need.
We have a proposition in Arizona (yuck, but grateful nonetheless) and a prospect in Virginia (which I would love. Home schooler's dream with all the history). When Trevor got into this career it was not like this. Now with the economy it's hard to find a job. He is 400 hours away from having any job he could want. If he stays where he is at, he may get laid off again if the company goes under. Or worse, he may be at risk everyday with their poor maintenance. If he goes in the ocean, he risks hypothermia and he risks sharks. Can somebody find him before that happens? Maybe that is a negative way of thinking, but it's his reality and he is not comfortable with this company. In one way, it's a blessing he got rehired. He is current with a job, which always looks better and he has got 50+ more hours so that he qualified for those other two prospects. So, for now I keep breathing because the sun will rise and who knows what the tide will bring. But whatever happens our kids are our priority. There is so much I want for them with music, education and quality friendships. I plead with the Lord to make a way, for their sakes. They are his children, I have faith he will.

Whew!

For the last few months I have experienced and been challenged with several health ailments regarding my children.

Alexis experienced a condition of the blood that was rather scary and I had to use my mother's intuition to remedy her case. Regardless of what everyone around me was saying. She was sickly for a while and it was very stressful. It was humbling and gratifying that the very place I found answers for her was exactly where the spirit was guiding me. She is fine now and on the mend.

MaKayla for the last 18 months has experienced random and strange allergy symptoms of which she had none prior. Again, I followed my gut on this one and without traditional masking medication she was able to get customized treatment and has experienced natural and healing relief within a couple of days. She is also scheduled to get braces as soon as we settle.

Jessica has come down with an OCD behavior. She seems like a perfect child always eats healthy. Keeps herself clean. Goes to bed on time. Doesn't like tv or video games. Seems perfect right? Well, not quite. She is afraid to eat and not worry. She worries about everything else listed above. She washes her hands until they crack and bleed and will often times make herself a salad for lunch if everyone is having something of less quality. She has a melt down if she goes to bed later than she thinks she should. This need to be perfect affects her schooling and music, of which she is quite gifted. I have her scheduled to see a dear mentor friend of mine who has a gift with hypnotherapy. I am excited for the results. This child went from being so messy to immaculate within a few years. Jessica also had to get glasses. I am currently working to help strengthen her eyes so that they may heal and she wont have the need. I have combined the herbs eye bright and bilberry concentrate.


Justin, what can I say...he checked out perfect with the dentist. How can that be? He is my worst eater. But hey, I am not asking for cavities. I just don't understand why a child like Jessica who eats healthy is susceptible to cavities and seems to be riddled with them. While Justin on the other hand I have to constantly encourage, "eat your vegetables son. It's important to learn to eat well."

Brett- I am concerned for. He went to the local speech therapist of which she said his hearing is fine and that he didn't qualify for therapy. Really? His speech is not improving a whole lot and I worry about it. I may take him into a ENT specialist and get a second opinion of which the speech therapist recommended. Maybe there is something physically going on with him. He does have a scruffy sounding voice. He had two cavities at the dentist. The other concern I have for him is he is SO skinny. He eats a ton, but he is thin.

Joseph-He had three cavities at the dentist and has been quite a pill since we have been at Grandparent's. I believe he is expressing himself and his confusion for the situation.

Anybody else in line? It's never boring with a large family and you always wonder what is next with children.

Missing

I am missing my love for 17.5 days he will be gone on his shift

Pottery

Among the many things that have been hard the last several months, or even the last year, I can find the good. Because there has been quite a bit of blessings as well. My mother-in-law is a master of pottery. She does all styles and even paints majolica. This dates back to early Persia and later mastered by the Italians during the Renaissance period. Along with teaching the children how to throw on the wheel she has been teaching them the art of majolica. I have a few pictures of them throwing on the wheel of which I will post now and later I will post the finished products. It is highly beneficial to have wise and talented grandparents around.
MaKayla is throwing a bowl.
Grandma showing the way
Alexis throwing after observing MaKayla. She picked up on it quickly.
Justin is having fun this time with the molds. He got on the wheel by himself, without instruction and threw a perfect bowl, surprising us all. I will post that cute little bowl later with the rest of the finished products.

Here's Brett enjoying high quality "playdough". He doesn't care about the wheel. But he is so smart. He knew that when Grandma is throwing or carving on the clay he can do pottery with her. If she is painting majolica, he can't do pottery that day. He said to her one day, "Grandma, you are acting like a teenager. You know how? Because you always tell me I can't do pottery with you. Teenagers are the same way, they never want to be with you and always tell you no." It was later after much thought that he thought through when he can do pottery and when he can't. Lately, Grandma has been painting a lot.
Little Joseph
Pictures of the finished products SOON