So far the only leads in the great job search across the country have lead us to Kansas. Steve and I will be flying out on Sunday or Monday to Kansas City, and then driving over to Lawrence, Kansas. The company he will be interviewing with was kind enough to fly the both of us out to check out the town and to interview Steve further. It's where KU is, so it's a college town, and I like that, and it's greener than here!! The thing that scares me most about a move there is tornados. That is not something I want to experience at all, but will have to if we move there.
We have heard lots of good things about it, so I'm excited to check it out. It's about 25-30 minutes from Kansas City, which will be nice if we get an offer and decide to move there. I'm still really hoping that something will pop up in the Dallas area for us, but thankful that we at least have a possibility right now. We are trying to get the house ready as fast as we can to put on the market. It will be hard to leave the family and friends we have here, as well as our awesome church, but it's kind of hard to stay somewhere without a job.
Anyways I will keep you updated in the job search and come back with pictures from Kansas. I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
In the Midst of Another Storm.
I know I have really been lacking in blog land lately! Things have been a big stormy in our life right now. About three weeks ago Steve was let go from his job (again!). How this happens twice in a six month period is a mystery to me. I mean it's not just because he is my wonderful husband but he is a smart guy and he was working hard. The company decided they wanted to go in a new direction and so no longer needed someone with his expertise and thus he is out of the job.
Right now we have laid out several different ideas. We are trying to find something here in Albuquerque but in all honesty there is nothing here, I mean absolutely nothing. Which brings us to our next plan which is to find a job somewhere else in the country that will pay to relocate us. We are looking at Dallas, TX (would love Plano or Frisco). Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and North or South Carolina.
Again we know that God has a plan for us, and that we will end up where we need to be. It has been harder to deal with this time around. I'm trying to book some extra sessions to help pay bills. We have lots of friends and family helping us out and praying and for that we are so thankful!
This past week at church Todd talked about how we all go through storms in our life. We are thankful that during these storms we can turn to God, and know that He is faithful and that he will provide. Things aren't always how we would like them to be but it's these storms that make us stronger both as a family and in our faith!
Thank you all for your emails, calls and support. We are truly blessed to have such amazing family and friends!!
We love Ya!
Right now we have laid out several different ideas. We are trying to find something here in Albuquerque but in all honesty there is nothing here, I mean absolutely nothing. Which brings us to our next plan which is to find a job somewhere else in the country that will pay to relocate us. We are looking at Dallas, TX (would love Plano or Frisco). Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and North or South Carolina.
Again we know that God has a plan for us, and that we will end up where we need to be. It has been harder to deal with this time around. I'm trying to book some extra sessions to help pay bills. We have lots of friends and family helping us out and praying and for that we are so thankful!
This past week at church Todd talked about how we all go through storms in our life. We are thankful that during these storms we can turn to God, and know that He is faithful and that he will provide. Things aren't always how we would like them to be but it's these storms that make us stronger both as a family and in our faith!
Thank you all for your emails, calls and support. We are truly blessed to have such amazing family and friends!!
We love Ya!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Happy to Be Sleep Deprived!
Yesterday morning we got up bright and early, it wasn't easy. I am most definitely not a morning person in the least, so getting up anytime before 8 is hard for me. I have to say though that it was completely worth it!
I hopped out of my warm bed thinking I could always take a nap later and that this was important. I went and grabbed clothes for the kids and dressed them while they lay in bed not wanting to get up (with the exception of Gia). Finally coaxed Steve out of bed, he got dressed we grabbed a couple nutrigrain bars for all of us, jumped in the car and headed to the church.
We met up with about another 245 that had also put aside their desires to stay in bed a little longer on a Saturday morning to come be a part of second Saturday.
From the church we headed to a park here in Albuquerque to serve food to the homeless. It was such a wake up call and I really wish I would have brought my camera. Seeing so many people there, made so many things that I had worried about this past week seem so insignificant. One of our friends Amber got out of her car with some blankets she had bought to hand out and was immediately approached by some people asking if they could have them. It broke my heart.
Amber and I made I don't know how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for sack lunches, while our husbands and kids served the warm meals that had been prepared. I wish I could have taken a picture of all these adults serving food and these three kids barely tall enough to see over the pans on the table, with gloves on too big for their little hands asking people if they wanted some corn bread and handing it out. They didn't ever complain that they were bored or ask to go home. I was so glad that we had decided to come and serve as a family. I would give up sleep for this any day.
I think we are going to continue to head down to the park a couple Saturdays a month to help out. I want my kids to grow up knowing how blessed we are by the simple things that we all too often take for granted everyday like a warm bed and a choice of cereal for breakfast.
I desire to have a servants heart, to continually serve those around me and in my life. To not get wrapped up in the selfish and greed that has become such a stronghold in this country. It is so easy to get hooked on keeping up with the Joneses, to want the latest stuff, bigger houses, with closets the size of a bedroom, cars that have better sound systems than movie theaters, purses that cost more than some people make in a year.
Last night at church Todd's message spoke a lot about serving. It was inspiring as always. Check out the podcast it should be up tomorrow or Tuesday.
http://sagebrushcommunity.com/
I hopped out of my warm bed thinking I could always take a nap later and that this was important. I went and grabbed clothes for the kids and dressed them while they lay in bed not wanting to get up (with the exception of Gia). Finally coaxed Steve out of bed, he got dressed we grabbed a couple nutrigrain bars for all of us, jumped in the car and headed to the church.
We met up with about another 245 that had also put aside their desires to stay in bed a little longer on a Saturday morning to come be a part of second Saturday.
From the church we headed to a park here in Albuquerque to serve food to the homeless. It was such a wake up call and I really wish I would have brought my camera. Seeing so many people there, made so many things that I had worried about this past week seem so insignificant. One of our friends Amber got out of her car with some blankets she had bought to hand out and was immediately approached by some people asking if they could have them. It broke my heart.
Amber and I made I don't know how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for sack lunches, while our husbands and kids served the warm meals that had been prepared. I wish I could have taken a picture of all these adults serving food and these three kids barely tall enough to see over the pans on the table, with gloves on too big for their little hands asking people if they wanted some corn bread and handing it out. They didn't ever complain that they were bored or ask to go home. I was so glad that we had decided to come and serve as a family. I would give up sleep for this any day.
I think we are going to continue to head down to the park a couple Saturdays a month to help out. I want my kids to grow up knowing how blessed we are by the simple things that we all too often take for granted everyday like a warm bed and a choice of cereal for breakfast.
I desire to have a servants heart, to continually serve those around me and in my life. To not get wrapped up in the selfish and greed that has become such a stronghold in this country. It is so easy to get hooked on keeping up with the Joneses, to want the latest stuff, bigger houses, with closets the size of a bedroom, cars that have better sound systems than movie theaters, purses that cost more than some people make in a year.
Last night at church Todd's message spoke a lot about serving. It was inspiring as always. Check out the podcast it should be up tomorrow or Tuesday.
http://sagebrushcommunity.com/
Thursday, August 7, 2008
My Photography Blog!
Okay so I finally got my photography blog and will now just be using this as a personal blog.
Here is the link to the new blog.
http://mariahaysphotography.blogspot.com/
Here is the link to the new blog.
http://mariahaysphotography.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 1, 2008
August Rush!
Wow I cannot believe that August is already here! This summer really has flown by, we have had lots of fun and I'm so ready for the fall. It is seriously one of my favorite times of year, leaves changing (although we don't see much of that here in New Mexico!), pumpkin carving, hot cocoa and apple cider, warm soups and stews with home made bread, and the smell of cinnamon apples or pumpkin candles burning in the house, Yum! Just talking about it makes me wish it was here already.
Oh and the I have started planning Steve's 30th birthday party! Would love any fabulous theme ideas!! Was thinking of doing the 90's, it will be super fun!!
I will have my photography blog up hopefully by the beginning of next week. My sessions for September and August are really starting to fill up so email me soon if you want to book one and I will have some mini session info coming soon!!
My friend cindy tagged me and I must list 6 quirks and then I will tag some others and leave you with a goofy face from Miss Gianna!
1. I like to eat pickles with a straw at the movie theater (I know that sounds totally weird and I'm not sure why I do it, but I always have and I love it!)
2. I'm obsessed with kissing my children I swear they are the most kissed and squeezed children on the earth, I just can't get enough of them (well maybe some days I feel like I can)
3. I talk to God on a regular basis throughout the day mostly praying for more patience :)!
4. I sing constantly while cooking, cleaning, in the car, in the shower, blow drying my hair, (ask Steve our household is like a 24 hour musical we are always singing, Ava seems to have picked up this quirk as well)
5. I love crafty things and have the tendency to start projects but have trouble finishing them.
6. I have been told I have a mirror face that I make when I'm trying on clothes (in fact I think it was caught on camera once!)
Okay so there are my quirks.
I will tag
My friends and fellow mamas Megan and Erica
Three fellow fab photographers I met at a workshop Rachel Leah and Ellen
One of my Best Friends ever,Beth
These are the rules...
- Link the person who tagged you
- Mention the rules on your blog
- Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
- Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
- Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.
Miss Goofy face Gianna
Oh and the I have started planning Steve's 30th birthday party! Would love any fabulous theme ideas!! Was thinking of doing the 90's, it will be super fun!!
I will have my photography blog up hopefully by the beginning of next week. My sessions for September and August are really starting to fill up so email me soon if you want to book one and I will have some mini session info coming soon!!
My friend cindy tagged me and I must list 6 quirks and then I will tag some others and leave you with a goofy face from Miss Gianna!
1. I like to eat pickles with a straw at the movie theater (I know that sounds totally weird and I'm not sure why I do it, but I always have and I love it!)
2. I'm obsessed with kissing my children I swear they are the most kissed and squeezed children on the earth, I just can't get enough of them (well maybe some days I feel like I can)
3. I talk to God on a regular basis throughout the day mostly praying for more patience :)!
4. I sing constantly while cooking, cleaning, in the car, in the shower, blow drying my hair, (ask Steve our household is like a 24 hour musical we are always singing, Ava seems to have picked up this quirk as well)
5. I love crafty things and have the tendency to start projects but have trouble finishing them.
6. I have been told I have a mirror face that I make when I'm trying on clothes (in fact I think it was caught on camera once!)
Okay so there are my quirks.
I will tag
My friends and fellow mamas Megan and Erica
Three fellow fab photographers I met at a workshop Rachel Leah and Ellen
One of my Best Friends ever,Beth
These are the rules...
- Link the person who tagged you
- Mention the rules on your blog
- Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
- Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
- Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.
Miss Goofy face Gianna
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Summer Fun!
Wow it's been a while hasn't it? I'm sorry we have been so busy this summer! There has been photo sessions, sword fights (KB toys has these great foam swords, Teo and Daddy vs. Mommy and Ava), summer programs, pool time,birthday parties,family in town, 4th of July, trips to the aquarium and so much more.
Steve and I had date night on Friday and went to see the new batman movie. Oh my what a great movie, one of my new favorites and probably the best I have seen in theaters this year!
Gianna seems to have grown so much the last few weeks. She has absolutely no fear, and at a birthday party the other day was climbing everywhere thinking she was one of the older kids, it was so funny to watch!
At the aquarium a couple weeks ago we were standing at the big window looking at the fish and I pointed to a sting ray.
Me: Look Mateo that stingray is the same size as you!
Mateo: Yeah, is he three?
Gosh I love that boy!
Ava loves art especially painting everyday she asks to paint, I finally went and bought some nice paper and acrylic paint for her masterpieces. She is in heaven painting all the time now!
I'm sorry for neglecting the blog lately, I'm gonna try and update a lot more! I'm also working on a separate thread for my photography!
Here are some pictures I snapped today (Gia was napping).
Steve and I had date night on Friday and went to see the new batman movie. Oh my what a great movie, one of my new favorites and probably the best I have seen in theaters this year!
Gianna seems to have grown so much the last few weeks. She has absolutely no fear, and at a birthday party the other day was climbing everywhere thinking she was one of the older kids, it was so funny to watch!
At the aquarium a couple weeks ago we were standing at the big window looking at the fish and I pointed to a sting ray.
Me: Look Mateo that stingray is the same size as you!
Mateo: Yeah, is he three?
Gosh I love that boy!
Ava loves art especially painting everyday she asks to paint, I finally went and bought some nice paper and acrylic paint for her masterpieces. She is in heaven painting all the time now!
I'm sorry for neglecting the blog lately, I'm gonna try and update a lot more! I'm also working on a separate thread for my photography!
Here are some pictures I snapped today (Gia was napping).
Monday, June 23, 2008
Makes Me Melt!
He walks over as I'm editing pictures and asks me "Mom, can I snuggle with you?"
My heart immediately melts. How much longer will he want to cuddle? I treasure every second of it because I know this stage will go by way to fast. He is so sweet in so many ways. He is a mama's boy completely but all boy. He loves to make noises that I never even knew existed. He constantly throws out "I love you mommy"'s. Sometimes after a hard fall he tries to act tough but that lower lip gives his hurt away. He is such a blessing!
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