Crushed

So, the bank program in Ohio that Jake was hoping to get into is not going to work out. The program, which trains recent college grads, was cancelled. The company recently had to lay off quite a few people because of how the market is now and therefore could not justify hiring so many for the program. I am completely crushed. I hate being so far away from my sisters and their families and we would also really like to move into a house but that is a very difficult thing to do in California. We've done everything we can to move out there and it just feels like Ohio broke up with us. Maybe it's just a timing thing. Maybe we're supposed to move to Texas.

In other news... tonight Jake and I were looking for flights (to Cleveland) and suddenly the bed started shaking. I said, "What are you doing?" and he immediately answered, "That's an earthquake!" We called his parents who live in Fremont and asked if they were okay. His dad said he was sitting at the computer when he heard a sound like the front door slamming. He said things shook pretty hard and he was about to get under his desk when it stopped. It lasted about 12 seconds and we learned that is was a 5.6 and the epicenter was in San Jose, just minutes from Fremont. The fault line runs right through Jake's parents' backyard! Jake showed me a website that documents all the earthquakes in the Bay Area and I was amazed to learn that there are tiny earthquakes every day. Sometimes ten times a day! Here is the link to the site: http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/quakes0.htm

Summertime fun!

This summer was so busy but SO fun! It started in June when Jake graduated from California State University, Stanislaus. Somehow, between working two jobs and a new baby, he graduated Cum Laude and was invited into Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honor society. Also in June, my sister, Amy, and her family came to California for two weeks. They started off in Disneyland with my parents then drove up to Modesto for the rest of their visit. I was getting ready to return to work for a little bit so it was nice to have my sister here for extra support. The next group to come was Jake's sister Stephanie and her three kids. They came from Florida and stayed for seven weeks visiting friends and family. While they were here, Jake's nephew Donovan was ordained a deacon and his niece Shawna was baptized. A few days after they left, Jake, Jenna and I flew to Ohio for three weeks for my niece's 8th birthday and baptism and my other niece's 7th birthday. Jake also tried to find a job and had a few good leads but nothing came up while we were there. We had so much fun going to a Cleveland Indians game, enjoying "Pizza/Movie Night" with the cousins, jumping on the trampoline, going to the zoo, pulling Brooke's teeth, braiding hair, watching "Fat March" and just hanging out. Soon after we got home, Jake's brother got married and Stephanie got to come out again. Jake's brother, Jeff, also flew in from Tennessee. It was his first time meeting Jenna and Jenna loved him! Jeff was able to come with us to the beach when we took Jenna for the first time. She hated it! But we loved the dutch oven cobbler Jake's parents made! A few weeks later, my sister, Melissa, and her family came out for a week. They hadn't been back in two years and it was my nephew's first time to California. We had fun shopping, going to the pumpkin patch, shopping, sitting in the spa with the kids and shopping! So now we'rejust wondering...... what's next??!!

In a funk

I've been in a funk the last couple of weeks. I don't even do much scrapbooking anymore because you need at least a couple hours to make it worth it and I know that as soon as I get all set up, Jenna will either wake up from her nap or eat all my paper and stickers. Jake suggested taking a class at the University a few blocks away and that sounds like a good idea. I'd like to take a cooking class or maybe sewing because I don't have any skills in either area (poor Jake!) I've also thought about taking a few classes in the evening to work toward a Master's. I don't know what I'd get it in but I just kind of miss school (except the tests). Michael's Crafts also offers classes like cake decorating so that's a thought, too. I did join the ward choir and I'm really excited about that. We are learning a really pretty song for Christmas. So if anyone has any ideas for a hobby, feel free to share!

About Us

After I graduated from BYU-Idaho, we moved back to California where we both grew up. Jake finished school at California State University Stanislaus and graduated Cum Laude in June. He is now working at Pella Windows in Livermore, CA. I was working at The Modesto Bee but when Jenna Elizabeth was born in February, I decided to stay home. She is the best baby and is SO CUTE (because she looks just like her dad!) She spoils us by sleeping 12 hours at night. She just started crawling and pulling herself up on things. It is fun to watch her grow and learn. We are excited for the upcoming months and the possibility of moving to Ohio where my two sisters live. But for now, we are just enjoying our little family and homeworkless evenings!

So, we're jumping on the bandwagon. Seems like everyone is blogging these days. It's been fun discovering blogs of some of our old friends and it's a great way to keep in touch. We look forward to hearing from everyone!