Well, its been a week!

It has been a week and I survived. :-) Things at work have been super slow. The change of pace has actually been really nice. Getting stuff done and not having to rush around is a nice change to the frantic chaos of last week.
Chris had an interview with the department of highway patrol yesterday. He applied about a month and a half ago to be a communications officer or dispatcher. His Aunt Lisa told him about the opening. He went in and had to take a lie detector test and had to bring over 10 pages of paperwork with lots of background stuff with him. He was interviewed by a board of 5 officers and he was asked a lot of questions and information about what he observed in some things they presented him. They told him at the end that he would either get a phone call, which would be a "you start tomorrow", or a letter in about a week saying, "we didn't want you". So, we are waiting for the results of that.
On the same day, I recieved my evaluation and the possiblity of a raise. I just don't know what to do about all this. I feel a little confused as to what's next. If Chris gets the job, depending on what they want him to work, that will change my schedule possibly in regards to the kids. I havn't mentioned any of this to my managers because I dont know what to say. I have already been debating what to do for summer break. Surely Chris will be working by then. He needs to be for our livelihood. but I am not going to expect someone else to watch them everyday so I can go earn peon money. I know people do it every day, but the choice between my family and Mazzios comes more and more obvious and I feel torn.
Of course I would choose my family, but I would feel terrible leaving them without one of the few people they can trust to get things done for the day shift. I am pretty sure the store manager wants to move me up to day shift manager, but if I need to be there for my kids, I can't accept that. I don't know. It is confusing. Just keep praying that whatever God wants for our family he will make abundantly clear. I am not sure if some of this stuff is God opening a door or testing me in my faithfulness to what he has called me to. Lots of personal questions I have to answer for myself. Lot of soul searching.
We are looking forward to this coming summer. If we still get to, we are hoping to celebrate our 10th anniversary in hawaii and Oregon. I sure hope things work out for us to still get to do this. I would bawl if we get shafted again out of another wonderful trip because our lives have taken a turn for the unexpected. Chris already had his vacation approved at Lowes for the trip. We laugh about that he is rehireable in March for Lowes, so if the DHP doesn't work out, he can just go back to Chad and ask to work for him. :-)
Anyways, Kids got their grade cards today. both are making straight A's. Nathaniel is conducting a science experiment on himself about hot and cold air. Ask him about it the next time you talk to him. :-) Hannah has been working on her design your own horse that Aunt Lisa gave her for Christmas. She is enjoying that.
Oh, and one more thing. Thanks to my animal loving husband, we have a new member to our family. A friend for Ben. We had talked about getting another dog to keep him company for when we are gone. Chris found on freecycle, which he scans everyday, a lady who needed to get rid of a puppy or it would have to be put down. If you know any of the situations in our acquiring animals, it is a familiar story. He brought home this 9 wk old half pomeranian half collie black fur ball that Ben absolutely LOVES. Their sizes are so different, but they were meant to be together I think. Ben take his red blanket and drags it on the ground so "Snuggles" can catch it and then they run together. They sleep together and share food and water with no issues. Considering he hasn't been a part of our family for very long, he has fit in really quickly. The kids named him Snuggles because when you pick him up, he nuzzles in your ear. He is really sweet. Just as goofy as Ben, so they are good together. Now we really need a good pen for them to run in. They are both chained up most of the time with extended leashes but it is not the same. Maybe when it warms up and we have an income can we make them a real home. :-) I laugh about having my cousin come down with his fencing company and asking him to do it. :-) At least he wouldn't mess it up like we would.
Well, I need to go to bed. One more day of work before a weekend off. Ooh, which reminds me of one more story I didn't tell. Last Saturday was Nathaniel's first upwards basketball game. How wonderful and fun!! He loves it and it was so fun to watch all of them learning. They play 6 6-minute quarters, with a devotion after 3 quarters. All the kids get to play at least half of the game. They run in through a tunnel that has lights and fog. Their names are announced in the gym as they run out with their team. No scores are kept. The referees were really great at working with the kids last week. They would stop the game and help the kids learn where to run to and what to do. It was really neat. He plays again this saturday at 8. Most of his games are saturday mornings at 8. He will do this until the end of February, when they will have an awards ceremony to celebrate a good season. I am so thankful for it. It is a good bible based activity and Nathaniel loves playing and learning a new sport. I will have to post pictures when I can next.
Ok, I think I am caught up. Until next time, all our love!!