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WA HOOOOO!!!

We have had one of the biggest roller coaster rides in our life and finally, finally the ride is over!! Kurt got a job!! Since moving here Kurt has helped his brother, Jon, with his Masonry company but he has had slim to no work these last couple of months. Kurt also has been substitute teaching in Iron county but since the summer started he hasn't been doing that. So Kurt had a full time job trying to find work. It was been really hard and there has been a couple of frustrating moments applying for jobs. First of all he had put in too many applications to count. Whenever he turned in an application the receptionist would always put it right on top of all the other 50 applications. He actually came close to getting a job at State Bank but after the interview process we heard they pretty much did an ini mini miney mo between Kurt and another guy. The other guy prevailed. Then we heard of a security position at the iron mines. Kurt went applied, had to take a test and write a mock security report. Kurt worked security for Turtle Bay in Hawaii while going to school so he knew exactly what he was doing. Kurt called for a follow up on his application and the receptionist told him he got the highest score they've ever had on the test and mock scenario and that they were going to give him a call on Monday. Monday rolled by and no call. Kurt called them again on Tuesday and the HR guy answered. He told Kurt that the position had been filled a month ago and was sorry the other lady told us it was still open. We were SO frustrated by these two incidents. We were praying, and everyone, except me, was fasting, nursing you know, for us to get a job. We've had some high high's, Kurt being a stay at home dad, and some low low's. But even through everything we knew that there was something better out there for us and we just had to learn patience. Kurt just so happened to do a round of calling one day to see if anybody was hiring and this place called Nampac aka "the bucket factory" was. So he went in filled out an application and a week later they had him do a phone interview with a lady from corporate. The word corporate always reminds us of The Office. So he thought the interview went great but nobody called when they said they were going to. They finally called again a whole week after they said they were going to call. For those who have never done this interview process it seemed like months to us. Anyways, the second interview was at the actual plant with the plant manager, one of the shift supervisors, Kurt was applying for the other shift supervisory position and I can't remember what the other guy does. Again he felt like he did well but at the end of the interview the plant manager let Kurt know that out of 300 applications only 38 people had phone interview and only 3 people got a second interview. They still had the other two people to interview. We were supposed to hear something from them by the end of the week. After two whole miserable weeks they finally called for a third, yes really a third interview. This time a conference call with the Vice President of the company. We were peeing in our pants. We had emotions from being excited to being scared and nervous. We were wrecks!! We were hoping the third interview was more of a welcome/you got the job type of thing. It wasn't! The V.P. came out with swinging questions and Kurt did his best to hit him back. Since it was a conference call the plant manager would write the answers to some of the questions on a pad of paper so Kurt could give the right answer. That made Kurt feel good. After the interview the V.P said that was a great interview, apparently something he has never said before, and the HR rep said she was really impressed by him. But still nothing final like, "When can you start?" Kurt had to get a physical, drug screen, and a background check and then we were expected to get a letter in the mail letting us know if he got the job. Today we were so giddy going to the mail, hoping The Letter was going to be there, but nothing. We walked in the house, sat down for no more than ten minutes when Nampac called. Kurt had got the job!! The letter is in the mail but instead of starting on August 22nd like the letter will say they need him on the 17th!! So yes, Kurt is the Night Shift Supervisor, but it's actually more like the swing shift, for North AMerican PACkaging that makes and sells buckets all over the US.

AHHHHHH!!!

We knew things were going to have to start to pick up for us. They really couldn't get any lower. This was a real testimony booster for us. There were times when one of us would get depressed, start wondering what we were doing wrong, and then the other one would be there to pick you up. We heard stories of other people who went through the same exact situation and they said that when they got their job, they knew then that the Lord was just waiting to give them the perfect job. We seriously will never forget this time in our life. With Kurt being home it has been so much fun! The timing on everything was perfect with Alia being born and him being there to help me. You really learn how to count your blessings when that's all you have. It's also amazing how much you learn and how much you are blessed through your trials. A concept I've always been sad to think about but none the less amazes me when I look back at all the blessings that really come from trials.

So now a time for celebration! We're going out for ice cream. A couple of weeks ago Drew wanted to get some ice cream at Maggie Moo's, a Cold Stone knock off that tastes just as good, but we told her we couldn't because we don't have money because Daddy doesn't have a job. Drew has faithfully been keeping track of our situation.

"Mommy, can we get ice cream?"

"Nope."

"Because Daddy doesn't have a job?"

"Yup."

Ice cream has never sounded SO good!

Look Who's 29!

This big boy!

Kurt's birthday was on the 8th. We started the morning off by hitting some good garage sales and then we journeyed down to Sand Hollow in St. George with most of Kurt's family.

We found this little Crawdad on the sand.

I was a little worried that Brody wasn't going to swim or would want one of us to hold him in the water the entire time but he took to the water like a natural. He wanted to go as deep as he could and only when he would start inhaling water did he want me to help him.

While I was watching the kids, Kurt and some of the fam swam to these rocks to cliff dive. I wasn't able to see them but Kurt was telling me that he was doing back flips and dives into the water while by standers watched in awe. I don't feel we normally brag about ourselves but I'm making an exception because it's his birthday!

Drew has been a fish out of water since moving to Utah. As soon as we got to the water she jumped in like she was home. She had so much fun swimming with her brother and cousins.

They both look like they've eaten something gross.

Kurt's sister, Rene, and Alia

See the tattoo on Brody's arm? We put these tats on the kids a couple of weeks ago when Drew got them in the mail for her birthday. Those are some serious fake tattoo's Bre! ;)

Kurt took this picture. Doesn't it look like these guys are sitting on my head? Hahaha!

We all had so much fun. It was so nice being in the sun again in a sorta of like beach setting. I have been missing my tan since moving here and it was nice to say hello to it again. Alia did great! She slept most of the time and I didn't take her in the water. Maybe next time. I hope you had a good birthday Kurty! One more year and you're 30!!

Creative or Stupid?

The other month Kurt decided that this tree in my mom's backyard needed to come down.  It had a lot of dead leaves and seeds that would fall from the tree and dirty the pool.  My mom looked into getting it chopped down and the estimate was $750.  So Kurt said he would do it.  If you look at the pictures you can see that he attached three ladders together one on top of the other and wrapped it around the tree so he could get up and down.

You can't see him but he's on the ladder in those leaves pulling the dead ones off one by one.

A couple of weeks after this event Kurt was looking through these pictures  and asked who this guy was.  He literally didn't recognize himself!  Hahaha!

3o ft tree

That part was seriously a dirty job.  I didn't think to record the first chop but that was the best one.  We had a tent in our back yard that Kurt didn't think to move it.  As I was on the ground calculating where the tree was going to fall I tried to tell him but he didn't listen.  So I moved what I could out of the way and it was a good thing I did.  The tree top came crashing down on the tent and barely missed my mom's glass table and chairs that had just been there before I moved it.

The sound of these video's don't do it justice.  Just imagine a huge cracking noise and landing with a loud boom!  You can see in the background of the video the crumpled up tent.  Hahaha!  I have to say I was pretty impressed with Kurt's resourcefulness.  I wasn't sure if he would actually be able to do this job with dying or getting hurt but he proved me wrong.  He just saved my mom $750 plus clean up and removal.  You're my hero Kurt!

Better Late Than Never

This is LONG over due.  Kurt's birthday was 08/08/08.  He kinda got cheated out of his birthday this year because the morning of he had to go into Covance, a drug reasearch center, and stay for the entire weekend.  And he had the computer so I couldn't post anything till now.  I'm so sorry Kurty!  Kurt is the best husband and dad for us.  He helps out with the kids and around the house more than I can take credit for.  I was miserable when he was gone for the weekends.  It shows what kinda guy he really is when he would go to a testing center on his birthday knowing that he was going to get his blood drawn 24 times during his entire stay.  Since moving in with my mom Kurt has had fun making repairs on the house and doing some yard work.  When I'm not feeling well Kurt will volunteer to take the kids out for a little while and 6 hours later they will come back.  Or when we're having a missionary lesson with Keenan Kurt will take the kids out so we can have more of a spiritual setting and a movie later they will come back.  He's so funny!  The kids are SO good for him during movies that it's no big deal to him to take them.  Whenever we go to the play area in Windward mall, or any playground for that matter, Kurt will be the only person down on his knees playing with his kids.  He's so good to us!  I could go on and on but I'll save you the mushy stuff.  I love you Kurty!!  Happy Belated Birthday!

One Fish, Two Fish...

Hey everybody!  I want to remind you to check out Kurt's blog, Shoot'em Up.  Leave him a comment letting him know he needs to help me at home instead of spending hours on end spear fishing.  No, but really check out his fun blog!

Kurtis James Reynolds

I have to let the world know, because I KNOW you are the one for me!  I'm so grateful that although you've put up A LOT with me, you've stuck by my side.  You say what you mean when you say, "All I want is for Noelle to be happy."  Kurt you are the best Dad and husband our little family could've asked for.  I'm so grateful for you in my life and I don't know what I would do without you!  

I LOVE YOU and ONLY YOU!

Bruises To Beaches

Brody, trying to put on Drew's sunglasses.

We were supposed to take family picture Wednesday May 14th.  Brody had had a nice blue bruise on his forehead for the past week and it cleared up just in time for pictures.  That morning Brody hit his forehead... twice in the same exact spot!  Needless to say we've postponed family pictures.  Check out Mark Holladay Photography!  

Natasha Kai, a forward who's on the United States women's national soccer team and daughter of Uncle Benny from Drew's school, came to school today.  Uncle Benny's the one on the far left and Natasha's the one on the far right.  I'm the creepy stalker type not the outright no-shame type so I took a picture of her from far away rather than asking her to take a picture with me and getting an autograph like I wanted.  You may not have guessed but I'm actually a fan of soccer.  I could watch it for hours.  I cannot wait for the Beijing Olympics.

This picture is funky because my camera is messed up.  It was bright pink before I made some changes.  Anyways Kurt's been spearfishing the past three days.  Our house smells sick nasty!  This is a preview of Kurt's blog.  Check it out here.

After school and after spearfishing we went to Hukilau with the Stimmel's and Boyd's.  Here is Ella sporting of her pink sunglasses, Old Navy swimsuit, a little off-the-shoulder action and her matching hat. 

Next we have Jacob with the short's-on-the-head, court jester look, and a green binky to match.

Look at that smile!

Brody trying to make it out to the Iosepa.

Drew and Seth did this all on their own.

Look at this attitude.

So Close

Thursday April 10th we went to Kurt's TESOL Grad Dinner.

I cannot believe the end is almost here.  Kurt is officially done with school this month although we aren't leaving till summer.  Right now it looks like we're moving to Korea so Kurt can teach English there.  It's not official, we haven't signed a contract yet, but we're actually negotiating as we speak and we are applying for passports for the kids.  So we are looking to live in Korea 1 - 2 years depending on how I, Noelle, am liking it.  Then after that, hopefully we'd have saved up enough money and gotten enough teaching experience to get Kurt into Grad school.  I'm still in awe that the end is almost here.  Kurt will be the first child and grandchild in his family to graduate from college.  Congrats are in order to Rene for getting accepted into nursing school.  1 out of only 20 applicants to get accepted.  Way to go Kurty and Rene!  We love and miss you Neighbor.

 

Beggars Can't Be Choosers

Kurt was supposed to come home Sunday April 6th at 3:00 pm.  It turned out his flight from NY to Georgia was delayed which made them miss their connecting flight from GA to Hawaii.  The next available flight out wasn't until Tuesday April 8th at 3:00pm.  They we're stuck in Georgia with no place to stay.  Can you believe that United wouldn't get them a place to stay?  So they called the local LDS Bishop who came with two other ward families and took them in.  Its so great to know that members of the church have at least one thing in common.  No matter where you're from.  So this is the Bishops house.  He's a cardiologist that lives in this gorgeous community where its a rule you have to have 2 acres in between two houses.

The bishop said they get a lot of deer and other wild life, that come down to their property.

Atlanta was voted the most dangerous city a few years ago.  I could live here.

The families that they were staying with lent the group their extra cars for the day.  With the GPS system the went sight seeing without getting lost.

As they were walking down the street Kurt gave a $1 to a homeless guy.  The Hobo then proceeded to pressure Kurt for more money.  Kurt said no and the Hobo got mad saying,"Man do you know how long it takes to walk up and down the street asking for money?"  The man turned and walked off mad that Kurt only gave him a dollar.  No less than 3o sec. later 5 more hobos one right after the other tried to get molah from Kurt.  

Braves' Stadium

The Coke Factory!

They went to see a 4D movie at the coke factory.  Yeah, a 4D movie.  They add touch and smell.  So they could smell flowers when they saw it and got a poke in the back when a bee stung them.

Another awesome door.  One of the other families that they stayed with imported this door from Venice, Italy from an old monastery.  They went to this families house to have FHE on Monday night.  I love the fact that they still had Family Home Evening when it could've easily been skipped due to the circumstances.

So Its great to have Kurt finally back.  Although he caught something awful when he was in NY.  He is pathetically sick.  Now instead of having 2 parents 2 kids, I feel like its 1 parent 3 kids.  Not to mention we have our white glove tonight which means I'm the only one who will be cleaning.  I'm not sure if we'll pass but oh well.  What do you do?