New Year, New Job!

Oh, for those who I haven't had a chance to chat with yet - my job is going wonderfully. Today was my second day. First day was new employee orientation. Believe it or not, it was fun! We split up in groups and did activities together as teams. I was amazed at how many people do NOT like pubic speaking. In a class of 30+ it was like pulling teeth to get 95% of the others to initiate conversation, especially in front of the others. I realized I don't have anxiety when it comes to speaking in groups and found myself stopping myself from speaking up because I wanted others to have the opportunity...although it usually meant silence.

Overall I give T-mobile at "A+" for the perks and benefits the company offers their employees. Not only do we have really great, low cost health care but they offer childcare subsidy and a flexible and dependent care spending account that allows all your money spent on these things to be deducted prior to being taxed. Nice that it puts me in a lower tax bracelet. Plus free bus passes, $40 a month if you carpool, discounts and Circuit city, Costco, etc. to name a couple. Not to mention the awesome calling plans and discounted phones and accessories. Plus they are insistent that they pay you for EVERY minute you are there and you are required to document every minute you are on the clock, or if you take a business phone call on your lunch so you do not go unpaid. Do you know how many companies I've worked overtime for and never saw a dime!?! So I'm lovin' it! I get to be creative and use my own judgment for decorating our floor and am responsible for buying a Wii for our break room to go with our flat screen plasma t.v. to play on breaks. Thinking of arranging boxing matches amongst fellow co-workers. Everyone has been very friendly! I am blessed to get to work with my great friend Heather and another friend Becca. Tomorrow Heather and I are hitting the gym together and Friday the three of us are having lunch together.

So, 2008 has started off on a great path and I am thanking the man above for that. Keep my family in your prayers and I'll do the same.

God bless ya all ~

Nic

Quick New Years Recap

2008 is here!

We had a really fun New Years celebrating it with the Flu's and quite a few other friends! The Jones, Jill and the boys, Marlee & fam, Rennie, Gabe & fam, Jamie and Manny, David and his girl. It was Shaya's birthday too so we tied both celebrations together. I was in charge of making the pina colada - tasty, even though the entire first batch wound up on the countertop. Opps... defective blender :). Quite tasty. We wi'd out most of the night also and played some other games. Of course Langston was awake at 1:45am with no sign of being tired, well other than being cranky. LaMarcus had to work, but he rang in the New Year with a phone call so that was nice.

Anyways, just sharing a few pics of me and the boys. Lattimore is officially sitting up by himself and drooling at the same time. He is quite the multi-tasker! Such a sweetheart!

Spread the holiday cheer x4 this year for us! Lattimore's first Christmas and our first as a family of FOUR! I am seriously out numbered!!! I feel really blessed and grateful for what I have and that's two beautiful boys!

With the holidays being so hectic at times... I had to remind myself MANY times what this holiday is all about...the birth of Jesus Christ. Growin' up - we didn't celebrate the true meaning on Christmas so it takes work on my part. Sure we were grateful for all that we had, but it was more about presents, food and going from one house to the next. I am trying to build traditions with my boys and embrace the true spirit of the season and day. Overall I think we did that this year. It was really nice to spend quality time as a family.

Oh...and I DO love my new Coach purse LA got me! I don't think I can ever go back to just your average purse - call me boosey if you like :).

2008 here WE come!

Can you sense me smiling ~ well I am!!! God is awesome...pray and you will recieve! Anyone who is reading this probably knows that I have the sweetest lil' guy - Lattimore Naaman who is 4 months old and another handsome and brillant son Langston Julius who is 3 years old. Well, I took 3 months off for maternity leave and loved every second, well almost every second with the both of em'. There were some trying moments and LOTS of adjusting, but overall it was awesome. My return to work was less than anticipated! I pretty much cried everyday about it and the thought of it made me sick to my stomach BUT I knew it was something I had to do. After chatting with my Pastor friend Joey ~ he got me on the path to take a class to get my insurance license to make some ends on the side. I did that and I haven't had the chance to take the test yet. Need to find the time to study and I will after the New Year.

Well, I returned to work on November 19th and it wasn't exactly a warm and fuzzy welcome. My boss, who has no children of her own and doesn't seem to comprehend the sacrifice it is to leave your children and home to return to work. I can't say I blame her, but she just doesn't understand how tough it is. It began rocky with her explaining to me that it was unacceptable to pump breastmilk in a locked and private office within my office where only myself and one other employee resides. She insisted that I take me, my breasts, bottles & pump to a public restrooom where it would be impossible to pump unless I wanted to sit or stand hoovering the sink! Pretty unsitely seen if ya ask me. Well... what did I do - I turned to the man above and prayed on it. I felt angry, hurt, confused and misunderstood. 2 days later I recieved 2 text messages - one from my dear friend Heather Tillo and another from a close friend Nicole Conzatti. Both asking if I would be interested in working for their companies. They had both thought of me when a position became available that would suit me. I was VERY interested in both positions and after the exchange of my resume began the interviewing process. Well, I was able to land both positions...what a blessing, right!? God surely answered my prayers and cry for help. I have taken the position with T-Mobile because it has exceptional perks - 19 day paid vacation, childcare subsidy, great pay, a gym on my floor, free phone, $10 cell phone plan, much shorter commute, 401K with immediate vesting, flexible hours and just an great environment and team! I'm excited for this new opportunity! I feel like God placed it at my feet and I am ready to make Him proud. So... January 2nd is my first day and I'm looking forward to it. I can feel 2008 is going to be a great year for me and my boys - 07 was tough! In addition, I plan on getting my insurance license on the side to write deals when I have a little something spare.

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement, love and support!

Fall is here and so much is happenin'

After admiring Kattie's blog for so long - finally I've decided to create our own.

Fall is here and the leaves have turned so many vibrant colors. It is so beautiful here in the NW. Its been a mellow fall... lots of sunshine, little rain - but chilly. Since I've been staying home, we've really gotten to enjoy a good portion of Summer and now Fall together.

Being a mama to two boys now - it's been quite spectacular. Honestly, I never thought I'd have another child and once I found out Lattimore was a boy... I was estatic! Random folks always seem to think that because I'm a women, I would want girls. No sir-e-bob... boys is what I asked for and what I got. Not that I don't love little girls...shout out to Khiara, Sydney, Mahayla, Kaylena, Liana, Lilla & Chloe... I love you little girls - but I always envisioned my life with boys and I guess the man above did also. Langston is 3 and just too much! He loves doing puzzles, playing his v-tech video games, running around outside, practicing his letters, playing with cars, did I mention running outside and hangin' out at Starbucks with mama and brother drinkin' his fancy chocolate milk with whip. Lattimore is a BIG boy... chubby in all the right places (everywhere). Loves to eat and I love to feed him. Too cute for words. I could stare at him for hours. The longest eye lashes and most kissable lips! I'm in love with my boys...what can I say!?!

So much is going on in our lives. We attend Antioch Bible church in Kirkland and LOVE IT! God has really shown Himself in our lives and my spirit has just changed. Life is so much more peaceful knowing that the Lord is always here protecting and loving us through the good and bad times. I am hoping to become more involved in other activities within the church once Lattimore gets a little bit older. I attend Mops when I can but it's tough finding a sitter for both the boys.

Got an awesome online prayer group full of my sisters. My Virtous Wannabee Women... what we all strive to be. We communicate, encourage, pray and love on each other daily in addition to an online bible study we do on Tuesday nights. I have met some of the most AMAZING SISTERS and wish we all lived closer together but I know we are all close in heart.

Playin' a little bball on Monday nights! I'm no good but its fun just getting out and doing it. I really miss Flag Football and will get a Winter squad organized soon! Really going to miss my girl Jules who is moving to New York for an opporunity of a lifetime! She deserves it, but will be very missed - especially on the football field.

Career wise, I'm still working for Experian. I am also going to be getting into the Insurance business on the side. Taking a class next week to take my final exam to get my license. Prayers for me. I think it could be a great opportunity for me and I believe God has directed me this way through a great Pastor and friend at my church. My goal is to bring in some additional income for my family and ofcourse become very successful at it. Still hopin' to break ground on my business idea with my close friend Corine. I think we'd be a lot farther with it if we both didn't have to balance two kids each - makes it hard to get much free time to lay the idea out. I have faith that we'll get there.

I am organizing a Multi-cultural Mom's group which is just AWESOME. We have over 130 families and it's pretty amazing how well the group have been thriving when it begun in November 06. We do a lot of great things around the community as well as just connect with other families like ours. I take a great deal of pride in the group and love that I'm helping meet a need in mom's lives in making bonds with other mothers as well as for our children and SO's. I'm pretty proud of the group! www.meetup.com/1652

I've also decided that I'd like to truly pick photography up as a more "official hobby". I know that I LOVE taking pics and have a pretty good eye... so I hope to get a better camera in the future and take a class to improve my skills. Its something I've always enjoyed and I'd like to pursue it a bit more and see what happens.

Well, I'm going to go tend to the kids. My goal with this is to share a little about what is going on in our lives as well as post after church service on Sundays. I always come home with all these thoughts in my head after Sunday's sermon and I'd love to have somewhere to post my

thoughts.

Blessings to all.