I'm a Statistic

So...for several months the economy has been bad, badder and worse and other than higher gas and food prices Jacob and I hadn't noticed it too much. Well as of yesterday I can now officially say that I am effected by the economy. LRK had to downsize again...a 15% decrease in July left us all thinking it would help the problem. Yesterday 45 people were laid off at LRK, I being one of them. I know in any case losing a job is hard but I feel this is especially hard for me because of the great friends I have made there over the past 4 years and because I love working there. Many of you know that I struggled and prayed about whether I was supposed to go back to work after having Dakota and I know for sure that is where God wanted me and I have felt God continually bless me in my obedience to return to part-time work. I have come to love my "adult time" in the mornings and my special "Dakota time" in the afternoons and evenings. I still feel like God has plans for me with my talents...I have seen His hand on me as He guided me through architecture school and receiving my first job and passing my CDT exam (just this past Saturday to be exact). So I'm confused because I do not know what is next and I'm hurt because I will miss going to work each day and seeing my friends and learning something new. Until God shows me...I will wait and I will pray and I will trust in Him.

For now though, I have chosen to keep Dakota in preschool Tuesdays/Thursdays because I truly believe that is best for her socials skills and because she has come to love it. And I am going to figure out what I want to do as far as work goes. I sort of feel like my boyfriend broke up with me and I'm just not ready to date again. Silly analogy but I worked at LRK because I loved being there...not because of the money and I just don't know if other companies will be the same. I refuse to get a job just to have a job. There is the possibility that if the government can get their act together down the road and developers can get financed to start building again...I can get my job back.

Could you do one thing for me?? Please change my email address in your contacts to my hotmail account instead of my work account. If you need it, leave me a comment and I'll get it to you. Oh...and pray that God will show me what He wants me to do.

If I learn anything from this...maybe it will be humility. So I'm going to leave the library now and head to the Shelby County unemployment office.

Litchfield, SC

Charles Towne, SC

Guest Blogger

The below post "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME -- IDAHO -- PART DEUX" was posted by Jacob. I will eventually get everybody caught up with the end of July and entire month of August. Boy did we have a good month. He was just so anxious to share his pictures :).

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME -- IDAHO -- PART DEUX

Walking Talking True Love

Dakota started walking two Fridays ago. Wednesday she took 5 steps for me, Thursday she took 10 steps for me and Friday Jacob called me and said, "you need to come home quick...Dakota is walking all over the place." She is doing great and it is such a freedom to not have to carry her EVERYwhere. She does have a few extra bumps and bruises from some of her over-ambitious running which often leads to a tumble. They give her character though :).

Ok...so I just spent a lot of time trying to upload this video and it's sideways. Just turn your head...I'm done playing.

July

Enjoying a Redbirds' Game on July 3rd in the LRK Suite
With Daddy at the Game
Flower
Playing in the Pool in the Backyard
Siler
Just Cute
Her little tootsies were crossed like this in her sleep.

Just Cute
Up to Something
Loads of Giggles
I love a snuggly, clean baby
Jacob went to Lake Taho for work...surprise, surprise he spent his off day hiking

Play time at a friend's house
First time on a slide...not so sure about it
First time in a BIG pool...she was skeered
Snuggling close to daddy
Ms. Monica and Ms. Madie, Dakota's teachers at school. They have been such a blessing to us over the past year...and the best caretakers I could have asked for. Dakota graduated from the Infant I class (Little Lambs) and starts the Toddlers (Caterpillars) on her birthday. It's been an emotional month realizing that I no longer have a "baby".

Get Your Blog On

Jacob said that I needed to get my blog on so sorry for the multiple posts. June was a good month.

Highlights:

Visiting Oliver in Greenville
Going to Colorado and New Mexico with Dad and Martha
Visiting my best pal Ryan in Carbondale
Garage Sale ($$)
Blueberry Picking - Dakota LOVED it. She understood the concept of picking the berries and eating them and LOVED the way they taste. Sorry no pictures of that.

July Events:

4th of July Redbirds game with work
Dakota turning 11 months (wow...a year is just around the corner!)
Finishing up our guest bedroom
Design-a-Wish 5k (July 19)
Jury Duty (July 21-25)
Me and Dakota going to PA for my Cousin John's wedding celebration (July 25-July 30)

Colorado - New Mexico

The Solemates completed 2 more highpoints a few weekends ago...and these were big ones. New Mexico (#37) then Colorado (#38) in a 4 day trip out west. We had a great time with Dad and Martha who took care of our little bug while we hiked. Given that these mountains were above 13,000 feet...we didn't want to have to worry about her getting sick or us carrying the extra weight. It was nice for Jacob and I to have some alone "date" time on the mountains. Enjoy the photos.

#37 New Mexico - Wheeler Peak
Glissading is WAY easier than walking :)
Granddaddy, Grandmommy and Dakota at Great Sand Dunes NP
My Daddy makes the BEST marshmallows.
She's telling stories.

#38 Colorado - Mt. Elbert
The snow was over his knees in places. Tread lightly!