August

Some lively iPhone photos with my family from my amazing mama's 5 year work anniversary party. Congratulations Coach House Day Spa staff!

Life has been a little quirky lately. The big answer: we're both still job searching. We spent last week with my dear Tash and her new HUSBAND Jon (is this real life?!) in Nashville. I'd never been, so it was pretty exciting to be introduced to a new city. We've considered Nashville as a possible/potential/not-sure-if-I-can-really-handle-it place to live. Phill would likely have more opportunities in the tech/media/production job industry, we'd have some established friends in the area already, and we're only 6 hours from family. My first choice is to stay in the Huntington/Ft. Wayne area, but I know I shouldn't shelter our possibilities like that. 

So guess what? I actually have a job interview next Wednesday at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville! At this point I'm more nervous and confused than excited. It's exciting to have someone finally seek me out, but I'm just not completely sold yet. I was told that Centennial (like so many other butthead facilities) require 1 year of OB experience in order to work in their OB department, so I can't be considered for any of those positions. GIVE ME THE EXPERIENCE! Anyway, I'm interviewing for a post-op women's floor but over the phone I was told they also do post-op eye and bariatric. I don't know about all that, but I'll have the opportunity to answer all my questions at the interview. I feel that if they offer me a position I'm really in no present situation to turn it down. We wouldn't even have to move all our stuff down if we're concerned we won't love it. If we would take the risk and not love it, who says we have to stay, yaknowwhatimean?

Beside all of that craziness, Phillip and I are both really looking forward to spending Labor Day weekend with my big ol' Carmien side of the family at the family cottage in Bay View. Everyone in the above photos plus SO MANY more will be there. For the first time in a long time everyone will be there! It'll be crowded and amazing. The cottage is for sleeping, garage sales, games, food, Kilwin's, & bike rides. We'll be in the car a lot next week, but it'll be worth it.

So Many Things

Typically, I'm searching for interesting things from my life to share on this blog. This time, though, I'm trying to figure how I can fit it all in without overloading you readers. We've been busy (hence the lack of posting)!

First, we started to wrap up our jobs in Arizona. I said goodbye to my job and we started on an adventure for Phill's last hurrah with his job: Houseboat Camp!

While exhausting and sometimes frustrating, I had a blast. I'd rather not speak for Phill ;-). He was one busy man RUNNING WORSHIP SERVICES ON THE LAKE. We're talking sounds lights, cords, full band...all of it. He's amazing. I was cook for our boat (of course we had the most people on our boat) and I led a small group for my boat's girls and one of five breakout groups all students could choose to attend where we talked about self-image. I miss those crazy kids! You should see the sweet stack of encouraging, sweet notes Phillip and I each received. They're awesome kids.

The week after camp was filled with packing and parties. I also went to work to help teach some classes. Any last minute pay, you know?!

Then, after many tears, we left. Lots of hugs (Phill even received a couple awkward kisses) and kind words were given and received. We left Sunday evening and stayed the night in Utah. We dropped Margot off at a pet resort and spent all day Monday hiking at Utah's The Narrows at Zion National Park. It was fabulous. I'll have to post some picture later. Its SUCH beauty.

After we camped at the park that night, we picked Margot up the next morning and started the long haul drive back home! We arrived Thursday just in time for lunch with my momma :D

Since being back, we've kept pretty busy, too! We had Huntington Heritage Days festivities, an Indiana welcome home party, a cookout, I went to the lake with girlfriends, Phill went to the ER after stabbing his hand, I deep cleaned the house, went to some friends' show, celebrated Phillip's 26th (!!!) birthday, celebrated with our Ohio family, and now we're planning to spend more family time on the lake! Last, but CERTAINLY not least, Phillip and I are going to Cedar Point tomorrow!!! I have been looking forward to this for years, you guys. I love CP. I hope the weather cooperates! Please oh please!

A Week in Review and a Look to the Future

The past week or so has been great, but tiring! Last weekend alone we had two weddings. At work, I've started precepting a new employee. While it's been a good week at work, there's a little extra added stress teaching someone the ropes. Thank goodness she's so sweet and she picks everything up so well. Wednesday, I tagged along with the staff from New Life to the Diamondback's game to hear the Tremble Clefs {yes, that's really the name} sing the National Anthem. They're a singing group comprised of Parkinson's diagnosed men and women and one of New Life's own, Dave, is a member. I cried.

Also, now we're sweating. Thanks, but no thanks, Arizona heat.

That's my segue into the important stuff. We're leaving the Arizona heat. We don't know exactly when we're leaving, yet, but we're here definitely until a week or so after Houseboat camp {Yep. High school camp is on houseboats!} which is June 4-8. Yesterday, Phill's departure was announced at his staff meeting. Today, I turned in my formal resignation letter. We don't know specifically where we're moving TO, exactly, but we know we are moving closer to our families.

Basically, we could still use a lot of prayers for all the wide open blanks in our plan. Prayers for Phill to find a job, prayers for Alyssa to find a job, prayers for health, prayers for smooth transition with finances and everything else along the way, and prayers for safe travels once the time comes!

Instagram Holiday {Finally}

Are you ready for it? Are you ready?! Instagram unleashed!

Waiting to leave! Excited!

Margot gets antsy in airports

Home sweet home

These girls are the absolute best

I am so blessed with the BEST FRIENDS in the whole wide world

Oscar

My well-behaved little miss in the backseat

Cole and Nina playing

Grandma and Grandpa Kimball's house

Cole watching his video message sent from SANTA! ;-)

Uncle Phillip and Cole playing

Pooped pup

Bow :-D

Festive Margot

Making herself right at home

Oprie feast!

You know it's an Oprie gathering when...

Christmas eve attire

The church for Jake's wedding. So pretty!

So sweet.

At the wedding. We're just old married folks now! 3+ years woohoo!

Boys...and Corey's stache.

Boys at breakfast!

My maid of honor, my BFF

Now, for your viewing pleasure, my dear friends and their talents:

Next up, a special little number from the Ross wedding reception:

Lastly, my melodic mother:

{PS-I started uploading these videos yesterday at 6PM, kept at it late into the night, and resumed uploading again tonight after work so you better watch them}

Christmas Day {photo overload}

Well, we're back in the great Southwest from our Midwest excursion. I'm trying to think of the proper adjective to describe our trip because 'wonderful' doesn't seem to do it justice. I cried in the airport when we were preparing to return. I'm a sap, it's true. I took lots of photos and I'm not yet up to lots of wordy posts {who needs 'em anyway? the pics do it all justice} so I'll be posting those soon. Phillip and I are slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things here; adjusting to "real life". For now, I'll share with you what our Christmas day looked like. Beware, there are a LOT of photos, but I wanted to go ahead and throw 'em all together in one post!

Devil eyes

Me-"Smile!" Trey-ugly face

Me-"Mom and Dad, smile!". Sheesh.

haha

Our ethnic holiday spread

Tiny hamburger cookie

Mom and Dad are sweet

Jarts! These may or may not be illegal.

Check out Grandpa's awesomely long "tie"

This is his Jarts face

My uncle, on Jarts

Moonshine cherries

Trivial pursuit, a Carmien tradition

A lady's heyday thanks to all of Mom's discontinued colors

Cute, little Lily

Annnnd round it out with a game of Settlers of Catan

I hope you all had an incredibly happy Christmas holiday :-)