On January 17, Michael had his 2nd recital at Art City Music Academy. He did great! He's the youngest in his class.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Michael's Second Recital
Adobe Fever
A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, one of Brian's old co-workers invited him to have lunch with him and a few people from his team at Adobe. Though Brian wasn't looking to change jobs, he decided to go check it out. He came home more excited about anything work wise than I'd seen him in a while. The very next week--not even a full 7 days after the lunch--Brian met with them for an official interview, complete with a technical interview. I was invited to tour the campus. It was all very, very exciting. Adobe has been on Brian's list for a long time of a place he was interested in working for, and all of a sudden, we had an amazing job offer sitting in our laps! We were both reeling--especially Brian.
But, we were torn. His job at AC had treated us very well over the last four years, and they immediately offered to match what Adobe was offering. Brian had lots of friends there, lots of responsibility that he felt bad about walking away from, lots of recognition, and lots of excitement with a rumored acquisition coming up that could mean potential for much, much more. He also had an office--and the move would mean going to very crowded cubicles. Yet, Adobe was a dream job of sorts, and he was going to get to basically keep his work title of software architect (but have it at a much bigger, more recognizable company). It seemed like a career no-brainer. But we had a lot of loyalty to AC, and we were basically making a decision based on two unknowns. So, what do you do when the pros and cons lists seem to be even? Ask the One who knows what is best, who sees the bigger picture.
We prayed and felt really good about going to Adobe. We decided that we wouldn't haggle over salaries and signing bonuses; we knew it was the right thing to do, and it felt nice to not have it be about money.
In the weeks following that decision, we felt incredibly blessed. Things at Brian's company started looking really, really scary. The rumored acquisition didn't pan out, and the day after Brian officially announced that he was leaving the company (around the 2nd of December), 25 or more people were laid off. In the months since then, more and more key people have left. The company has completely changed since Brian left, and we feel so grateful that the Lord opened up this opportunity for Brian. Whenever we stop and think about it all, we are completely humbled by His goodness, and we wonder why He blesses us so much.
Meanwhile, Brian absolutely loves working at Adobe. He comes home everyday so excited about everything going on there. He talks my ear off every night at dinner, and I love having him so enthusiastic about work again. He really needed a change, and I'm glad that he got one that didn't require us to move. Adobe is all about keeping their employees happy. They have a room filled with computers used strictly for GAMING! Yup, that's right, video games. So, if Brian is stuck with a problem he can't figure out, he heads down to play a game and clear his head. They also have music rooms--at least one with a grand piano and guitars. I'm not sure what all they have. I could go on.
It's been a little rocky on my end adjusting to his new job. He's closer to home, but usually gets home about the same time because of traffic. New insurance cards. New benefits. Different ways of doing things. But, we're finally getting into a good groove, and I realized the other day that this job change is a huge event in our life that needed to be documented. Hence this post. We're both so grateful for Brian's old co-worker---now renewed co-worker/boss for recruiting Brian and giving him Adobe Fever.
But, we were torn. His job at AC had treated us very well over the last four years, and they immediately offered to match what Adobe was offering. Brian had lots of friends there, lots of responsibility that he felt bad about walking away from, lots of recognition, and lots of excitement with a rumored acquisition coming up that could mean potential for much, much more. He also had an office--and the move would mean going to very crowded cubicles. Yet, Adobe was a dream job of sorts, and he was going to get to basically keep his work title of software architect (but have it at a much bigger, more recognizable company). It seemed like a career no-brainer. But we had a lot of loyalty to AC, and we were basically making a decision based on two unknowns. So, what do you do when the pros and cons lists seem to be even? Ask the One who knows what is best, who sees the bigger picture.
We prayed and felt really good about going to Adobe. We decided that we wouldn't haggle over salaries and signing bonuses; we knew it was the right thing to do, and it felt nice to not have it be about money.
In the weeks following that decision, we felt incredibly blessed. Things at Brian's company started looking really, really scary. The rumored acquisition didn't pan out, and the day after Brian officially announced that he was leaving the company (around the 2nd of December), 25 or more people were laid off. In the months since then, more and more key people have left. The company has completely changed since Brian left, and we feel so grateful that the Lord opened up this opportunity for Brian. Whenever we stop and think about it all, we are completely humbled by His goodness, and we wonder why He blesses us so much.
Meanwhile, Brian absolutely loves working at Adobe. He comes home everyday so excited about everything going on there. He talks my ear off every night at dinner, and I love having him so enthusiastic about work again. He really needed a change, and I'm glad that he got one that didn't require us to move. Adobe is all about keeping their employees happy. They have a room filled with computers used strictly for GAMING! Yup, that's right, video games. So, if Brian is stuck with a problem he can't figure out, he heads down to play a game and clear his head. They also have music rooms--at least one with a grand piano and guitars. I'm not sure what all they have. I could go on.
It's been a little rocky on my end adjusting to his new job. He's closer to home, but usually gets home about the same time because of traffic. New insurance cards. New benefits. Different ways of doing things. But, we're finally getting into a good groove, and I realized the other day that this job change is a huge event in our life that needed to be documented. Hence this post. We're both so grateful for Brian's old co-worker---now renewed co-worker/boss for recruiting Brian and giving him Adobe Fever.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
What Has Been On My Mind Lately
So there I was, on the playground of Ririe Elementary School, and I saw her. She walked with an air of confidence that I immediately noticed. She had a smile on her face. She was the new girl. She had red hair and green eyes and seemed to have all the boys eating out of the palm of her hand. And I was both scared of her and in awe of her. So this was Chelsi huh? I guess I could remember her name easy enough--red hair and green eyes and named Chelsi. One of my favorite people in the world had that same combination and went by the same name, only spelled differently. I had no idea that that girl would change my life forever.
The first time I saw her husband, Trevor, was on their wedding announcement. I missed their wedding because I was serving my mission. After I got home, I got to know him a little bit via their blog. He was adventurous, he was a loving father, and I knew he had to be amazing because he had the good sense to marry her. He seemed smart and brave, yet tender and kind. I learned that he was a cancer survivor and that, at one point, he'd even had brain surgery.
I finally met Trevor about a year ago. It was shortly after his doctors had found that cancer had returned to his brain. Yet, surely they would be able to get rid of it again--they had before, right? I began praying for him, a man I barely knew, and for his wonderful wife, whom I had looked up to for so many years, and for their two sweet children who are the same ages as my own.
Meanwhile, Chelsi and I would take our kids on outings. I'd come to her house to help her take on the huge task of moving in and decorating, We'd get together for lunch. We'd read each other's blogs. And she would update me on Trevor's progress with Chemo. Many times, after leaving her company, I would cry thinking about what she was going through. It hit so close to home; it could easily be us.
In the last month and a half, things took a sharp turn for the worse. Chemo stopped working, and so radiation was the next option. I had offered to take family pictures back in November, but I knew it was time to really make it happen. We went to their house for Family Home Evening. She provided dinner, and I brought my studio. I took pictures of the kiddos while we waited for Trevor to get home from work. Brian came after he got off work, and he finally got to meet Trevor. Brian left with the kids, and I spent the next hour taking pictures, praying the whole time that I could be inspired and get it right, that I could somehow capture the essence of this little family.
When Trevor and the kids had had enough, I called it. Chelsi got the kids in bed while I packed up the studio. And then we talked for another hour or two. As she talked, I sat in awe of her strength, her determination, and especially her smile. Despite her worries, she still stayed positive. She admitted to having moments where she completely breaks down. She wondered how she was going to tell her almost five-year-old about the cancer. (I remembered that I was about 4 or 5 when my best friend/brother was diagnosed with cancer, and how I knew something very serious was going on, but I didn't really understand. I felt a small affinity to that little girl, but I knew so much more about cancer now.) She worried about the nanny that is going to come and take care of her kids while she heads back to the workforce. She worried about staying strong for her little family. She thanked me for coming, and I left wishing I could do more, give more, be more.
And I cried all the way home.
Over the next week, while I worked on editing the pictures, Chelsi's world started falling apart even more. Trevor was getting worse. This last week, I finally finished editing pictures, and my last big push happened to be the day she posted this:
As I worked on editing the pictures of the sweet faces of those kiddos, I was sobbing. I sobbed as I worked on pictures of Trevor. My heart just about couldn't take it, and I almost called Lea to ask her to finish them, because it hurt so much. It hurt that this was happening to my amazing friend, and that I was so powerless to help. That we didn't have much time to get to know Trevor. That we might even be in the way if we did try to get to know him. That this might be the last family picture I get to take of all of them together. But I remembered Chelsi, and I knew if her shoulders could handle everything that life keeps throwing at her, surely I could help lighten that load, pull it together, and finish editing her pictures.
And every night, and every morning, and many times throughout every day, I think of Trevor. I think of their little kiddos. I think of that girl who I have known since 3rd grade and who I have looked up to for so long. And I pray for a miracle. I pray that the Lord can be with them, and hold them in the palm of His hand. That He will help them have the strength to endure all this. That His angels will surround them and lift them up.
I thank the Lord every night that my little family is healthy. I thank Him for the bounteous blessings in my life. I thank Him that He has let me know this little family. I ask Him to help me love my children more, to not take anything for granted. I ask Him to open my eyes to see needs of those around me, to live my life so it means something. I thank Him for my Savior, who somehow makes all of this right. And even though it hurts, and I wish things for my friend were different, I'm grateful for the reminder about how fragile life is, for the reminder that this life is only a small part of His grand eternal plan, that we will all live again, see each other again. That it really isn't too late to get to know Trevor.
So, my dear blog-world friends, I ask you to join your prayers with mine. Please pray for Chelsi, for Trevor, for their kiddos, and for Trevor's doctors. And if you want to help, here's a way that you can: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/join-the-linderman-s-fight-/303310
The next school year, we were in the same class, and I went
from being uncertain of her to wishing we could be best friends. She was so
genuinely, no-strings attached nice. It was so refreshing! Over the years we
became friends. She always inspired me to be better. Together, we put the
cigarette on trial as prosecuting lawyers, treated our freshman seminary class
to the Twelve Days of Christmas, and struggled with life in a small town.
Looking back, I wish that we had been better friends and hung out more. That we
had been closer. That she hadn't transferred to a different school after our
Freshman year. That I'd have transferred with her. She's one of the few from my childhood that I
actually made an effort to stay in contact with, because she was always good,
always kind, always amazing.
I finally met Trevor about a year ago. It was shortly after his doctors had found that cancer had returned to his brain. Yet, surely they would be able to get rid of it again--they had before, right? I began praying for him, a man I barely knew, and for his wonderful wife, whom I had looked up to for so many years, and for their two sweet children who are the same ages as my own.
Meanwhile, Chelsi and I would take our kids on outings. I'd come to her house to help her take on the huge task of moving in and decorating, We'd get together for lunch. We'd read each other's blogs. And she would update me on Trevor's progress with Chemo. Many times, after leaving her company, I would cry thinking about what she was going through. It hit so close to home; it could easily be us.
In the last month and a half, things took a sharp turn for the worse. Chemo stopped working, and so radiation was the next option. I had offered to take family pictures back in November, but I knew it was time to really make it happen. We went to their house for Family Home Evening. She provided dinner, and I brought my studio. I took pictures of the kiddos while we waited for Trevor to get home from work. Brian came after he got off work, and he finally got to meet Trevor. Brian left with the kids, and I spent the next hour taking pictures, praying the whole time that I could be inspired and get it right, that I could somehow capture the essence of this little family.
And I cried all the way home.
Over the next week, while I worked on editing the pictures, Chelsi's world started falling apart even more. Trevor was getting worse. This last week, I finally finished editing pictures, and my last big push happened to be the day she posted this:
Trevor is fighting an amazing fight.But despite our best efforts, it is very likely his night is drawing closer. (Drs tell me that less than ten months is likely, even if continued radiation results in some tumor stabilization, while we can "probably count weeks in double digits, we should not count on getting to double digit months. There is also the possibility that his awareness and presence can further deteriorate after the next two weeks).As he continues to rage against the dying of this world's light I want the last of his earthly time to be full of love...Please don't mistake, we are not giving up. We will always hope for a miracle. But we are bearing this burden as well as we can while submitting to a will greater than ours.
As I worked on editing the pictures of the sweet faces of those kiddos, I was sobbing. I sobbed as I worked on pictures of Trevor. My heart just about couldn't take it, and I almost called Lea to ask her to finish them, because it hurt so much. It hurt that this was happening to my amazing friend, and that I was so powerless to help. That we didn't have much time to get to know Trevor. That we might even be in the way if we did try to get to know him. That this might be the last family picture I get to take of all of them together. But I remembered Chelsi, and I knew if her shoulders could handle everything that life keeps throwing at her, surely I could help lighten that load, pull it together, and finish editing her pictures.
And every night, and every morning, and many times throughout every day, I think of Trevor. I think of their little kiddos. I think of that girl who I have known since 3rd grade and who I have looked up to for so long. And I pray for a miracle. I pray that the Lord can be with them, and hold them in the palm of His hand. That He will help them have the strength to endure all this. That His angels will surround them and lift them up.
I thank the Lord every night that my little family is healthy. I thank Him for the bounteous blessings in my life. I thank Him that He has let me know this little family. I ask Him to help me love my children more, to not take anything for granted. I ask Him to open my eyes to see needs of those around me, to live my life so it means something. I thank Him for my Savior, who somehow makes all of this right. And even though it hurts, and I wish things for my friend were different, I'm grateful for the reminder about how fragile life is, for the reminder that this life is only a small part of His grand eternal plan, that we will all live again, see each other again. That it really isn't too late to get to know Trevor.
So, my dear blog-world friends, I ask you to join your prayers with mine. Please pray for Chelsi, for Trevor, for their kiddos, and for Trevor's doctors. And if you want to help, here's a way that you can: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/join-the-linderman-s-fight-/303310
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Happy AnniVERsary! HAAPpy AnniversArY!
On January 10, Brian and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary! Woo hoo! It also marks 7 years since we met up for the first time following our missions. It's a big day. And the traditional gift for the 6th anniversary is candy. Brian got me my kids, and I got him Peanut Butter M&Ms.
The next morning, we slept in, and it was glorious! We had a super lazy morning. Then, we got dressed up nice and hit the town! We hit up Rod Works to look for some bookends. I talked in a British accent the whole time--well, at least until we ran into someone from our neighborhood, and then it kind of got dropped, but at least we had a good laugh over it.
After Rod Works, we headed to Murray and checked into the Cheesecake Factory and then visited some of the stores while we waited for our table. We ate dinner, hit another home decor store on the way home, grabbed our kids, tucked them in bed, and then watched a movie together, after taking our traditional anniversary photo:
Some might think this was a super lame way to celebrate, but after all the traveling and stressing we've been doing/having, it felt so nice just to give ourselves an excuse to do absolutely nothing except hang out with each other. It was long overdue. Happy Anniversary, Brian! I'm so glad that I have you to do everything--and nothing--with!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Happy New Year! Now Get To Work!
On New Year's Eve, we kicked Ethan out helped Ethan move to Logan so that he could start school at Utah State. Taryn was kind enough to watch our kids so that we wouldn't have to worry about them. She even met us by the freeway so we could be faster. We helped him unload his stuff
And then took him out to eat. It seemed appropriate. We don't know. It's our first time sending a kid off to college! And we got root beer shots to celebrate:
We held our traditional early countdown for the kids, although this time, we used a short video compliments of Netflix. The kids had fun dancing around for that one.
We let them drink some sparkling juice. I forgot to get plastic goblets for the kiddos. Next year...
We tried the cute little wrap your arm around each other's arm to drink our sparkling juice. And we laughed at how much we struggled with it. My mom had to remind us! It was pretty funny. So, here we are, trying not to laugh:
After we put the kids in bed, Mom, Taryn, David, and I played several games of bowling on the Wii while Brian picked my dad's head about the shelving unit we were planning to build. After lots of bowling, we counted down the new year, and then went to bed. Yeah, we're party animals.
The next morning, it began--the real reason my parents came to our house after just saying good-bye to us. We needed an in-house carpenter, and my dad is AMAZING! We've been planning and designing and re-designing a built-in toy storage unit for our playroom in the basement. In December, we got a few bids--and they were more than we hoped. We'd go down and look at the wall, measure, puzzle over it, and say something like, "We could build this if we were confident about making doors." Long story short, we decided to see if we could get my dad to come down and help. We found cupboards at IKEA that would work for where we wanted doors, but we still were a little out of our league; we needed the big guns for this one. So, we bought their gas (a great bargain on this consultant), and my folks came down to help.
On New Year's Day, my mom, Taryn, and I assembled the IKEA cupboards while the boys headed out to buy supplies. When they got home, the got to work. First thing to do: build a toe kick
Next, add the IKEA cupboards. Mom and I had to model our work:
David and Taryn extended there stay to help more, and it was so nice having them! David took woodshop in high school, so he was a huge asset. I don't think we could have made such quick progress if he hadn't been there.
Day two of shelving: Actual shelves! (They had done a lot of prep-work the day before)
Putting it in:
The kids loved having Grandpa and Grandma back:
Day 3 brought more work--and more progress:
And while Brian took a break to virtually hang out with Adam in Texas, I got drive a few screws.
More shelves:
And you can't be working in the playroom with Grandma and Grandpa without having an impromptu dance party. I'm pretty sure it is in the rules somewhere:
My dad helped Brian with a few of the face frames, and then my mom and dad hit the road as well, feeling confident that we could handle the rest on our own.
Ta da!
Then we hustled on home, stopping in Ogden to retrieve our kids, so that we could be ready for our guests to arrive. My parents and Taryn and David came to our house for New Year's Eve. Because we hadn't had enough fun together yet.
The next morning, it began--the real reason my parents came to our house after just saying good-bye to us. We needed an in-house carpenter, and my dad is AMAZING! We've been planning and designing and re-designing a built-in toy storage unit for our playroom in the basement. In December, we got a few bids--and they were more than we hoped. We'd go down and look at the wall, measure, puzzle over it, and say something like, "We could build this if we were confident about making doors." Long story short, we decided to see if we could get my dad to come down and help. We found cupboards at IKEA that would work for where we wanted doors, but we still were a little out of our league; we needed the big guns for this one. So, we bought their gas (a great bargain on this consultant), and my folks came down to help.
On New Year's Day, my mom, Taryn, and I assembled the IKEA cupboards while the boys headed out to buy supplies. When they got home, the got to work. First thing to do: build a toe kick
Getting things ready:
My mom was awesome too, She helped entertain kids and make dinners and lunches. We had to keep those boys working, so we made sure to keep them fed. It was so nice having her there to help with dishes and meals.
Chelsea came with her kids on Friday, and it was nice to see her. While the guys worked hard downstairs, we hung out upstairs talking----and playing Trivia Crack. Yeah....
The kids loved having Grandpa and Grandma back:
Taryn and David decided it was time to move on to bigger and better things. Thanks for all your hard work!
We've been working down here in our spare minutes and we still have a long way to go! A week or so after they left, we finally got the crown molding up:
And I sanded and filled holes and sanded and filled holes and then started priming and found more holes and filled those and sanded and primed. I'm still working on priming, but I think I finally have all the holes filled and the sanding done. And now, you can all anxiously wait for us to get our playroom all done so you can get the final update. We're really excited about how our playroom is coming along. It's going to be awesome!
Oh yeah, Happy New Year from the Us! Next year, we're building an entertainment center for our party--Who's in?
Also, we miss Ethan.
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