What are the odds?

In a previous post I mentioned Layne was no longer a student and will now be working as a postdoc.  Yesterday was his first day and he seems to have survived just fine.  Not sure what the odds are - but, he is working for a professor who will be new to the "U".  This professor is not new to the field.  He is well known, respected and has lots of connections.  He also just happens to have a project that Layne is interested in working on - and, that will be different than what he has been doing.  (He's very much ready for a change.)  What are the odds?  Another big plus is that he will be getting paid on the higher end of what the professor is allowed to pay him - with benefits, the amount is exceeded.  So, we feel like he's being very generous.  (Although, we're still below poverty level.)  Again, what are the odds?  A couple of reasons we decided to go with this route is so that Layne will have a chance to publish more and will come out with even more opportunities in the end.  The question - What are the odds? - has come to my mind several times as we have looked at all of our options (Layne has had other offers and somehow this one just fit the best for our family.).  What are the odds that a professor just happens to come and offer Layne what he needs just as he is finishing?  We thought the finishing part was going to happen for years now (really...that is NOT an exaggeration), and so it seems that the timing is just right even though we thought it would originally be different.

It will be much different than working with the professor he has been working with for the past eight (yes, that would be 8) years.  He will get paid more...the grants will be more secure because of the other professors tenure.  Speaking of tenure...the professor Layne worked with for his PhD is just a year or two older than Layne and started as a professor the same time Layne started his graduate work.  They've been learning together and there are times I haven't appreciated that Layne has been this guys guinea pig (or maybe his 'trial and error' child).  (Although, it has been great for racquetball and outdoor toy hand-me-downs.)  I'm glad he'll be working with someone who has some experience in the field and his profession. 

One last topic - we really thought the odds of our family staying in Utah was slim to none considering the lack of Biotech firms in the area.  We have prayed to know what was best for our family.  I think someone is aware of our children's needs and our need as parents to fill them.  We have a school that is a perfect fit for our family and resources around us that have benefited our children greatly.  We're grateful we'll be able to continue with those.  As a mother, I'm also glad we get to be in a place where there are so many things to do with children that are inexpensive or free (which is our price range)  - the odds of finding a place with so much to do with the kids would be rare.  (They would be stuck with me for entertainment and enrichment activities - yikes!)

Now we just need to work on the odds of where we're going to live - not many inexpensive options for a family of 6.

Three Hours?!?!?!

We went to the Utah State Capital Building this past Saturday.  They had the Declaration of Independence there for the public to view.  I thought there might be a line.  But, when we got there, we were told it was about a THREE HOUR WAIT!  Hmm...think we'll pass.  Don't get me wrong..we consider ourselves patriotic citizens.  Reality is...we also consider ourselves a family of six with other things to do than wait in line for three hours.  I didn't want to imagine our family waiting with children who went knowing they just wanted to be somewhere else - like home eating lunch.

Doesn't look too crowded as we drive up, right?

Random family that decided to wait - no young children.  Hmm...

We did get a family photo by a copy of the document.

We'll have to go back some other time when it's not so crowded so we can check out the architecture and images.

Girls are more work!!

We got our pictures taken yesterday.  I actually made sure the kids had hair cuts (OK, so I asked Layne if he would do it) and made sure to have all the matching clothes laid out and ready to go.  I totally get that in most households this would be a given.  Our family?  Not so much.  I was feeling pretty good about the whole scenario...until we woke up late.  Who does that?  Apparently us!  We quickly got ready and headed out the door.  While we were getting ready I was reminded once again that girls are more work than boys when it comes to getting ready.  The boys just needed to get dressed.  Their personal hygiene consisted of brushing their teeth and making sure there were no signs of breakfast on their faces.  The girls?  The same applies...plus...you have to do their hair and deal with what to do about the band-aid that is showing on the knee because their skirt doesn't cover it...and then we were just so glad that after a bit of a struggle Megan decided to cooperate and wear what was included in 'the plan'...well, except for the socks.  She even chose something to bring so she could change as soon as she was done.  Somehow boys clothes are more straightforward - you pull on some pants and throw on a shirt.  It's not that hard.  (They did complain about the fact that they had to wear 'Sunday clothes' on a Saturday - but, that's a whole different post.)  Girls clothes are somehow more detailed - there seems to be more to think about when matching clothes and styles.  (The fact that most of their clothes are hand-me-downs forces us to get a bit more creative.)  If I were good at it - it might not be that big of a deal.  But, I'm not an expert and most of the time I don't pay enough attention to those things.  Throw in the fact that my daughters are having a really good day when we get to comb their hair all in one sitting...and when they get themselves dressed, it's just coincidence that the outfit matches.  Phew!  It was a rough few minutes at our house.  Hmm...can't wait until they start wearing make-up and actually care about how their hair is done and rather they match or not and what styles their friends are wearing.  It's only going to get more dramatic.  We're going to have to brace ourselves!

Jonny was baptized August 2nd!!

The big smile says it all!

We are proud of him and his decision.  We had a great day.  It was nice to have family and friends around to support him.  Thanks to any and all who helped and were able to come.

One Month Later

We have a new van!!  Exactly one month to the date (June 18, July 18) - we purchased a new van.  As the story usually goes - we had almost paid for our other one.  But, we love this one and we're glad we have it.

The kids think it's great too!

Seats adjust however we want - kinda like musical chairs.

Still not sure about the color - we're getting used to it.

I love being able to just put the groceries in - so nice to have space in the back.

As usual, Layne did his research and found a great deal.