Collective Sigh of Relief

So here's the simplified run down on Rick's job. Despite the current economic climate, his company was doing well and managing. However, his boss & owner of the company wanted to retire. Rick and a few of the other partners offered to buy it out, etc. His boss declined, and just wanted to be done, and close it down.

We found that out in April (right before Rick's birthday) and knew they would close towards the end of summer. Diligent Rick, immediately started to look for new work. He had several leads, and one offer - but nothing that he got really excited about.

Not long before we left on our trip he started interviewing with a new company - Ramuis. We've been through this before (2001), but I am still surprised at the length and intensity of the interview process for his industry. I guess, if I was going to trust someone with millions of dollars, I'd want to be thorough too. However, they weren't finished when we left on our trip (they were still doing the background checks & had a few more interviews.)

Rick flew home the day we arrived in Utah to continue meetings. He met the next day with the founding partners - yadda yadda - a few days & reams of paper later, they had an offer. He had to wait another week until the contracts had been seen by all the lawyers & then they signed and he zipped back out to meet us, which was lucky because I was already missing him like crazy.

So, long story short - this is a great opportunity for him & he is very excited about it. He and another partner from his last firm were hired as a team, and they will be working with 2 other guys from the last job too. They will have a lot of autonomy in what they do and we also have no break in our health insurance coverage - so that makes me happy.

SO, not only did he get the job he wanted - but he doesn't start until September 8th, so he flew back to Utah on August 6th to spend an entire month with our family. Hooray!

Thanks to everyone who worried with us and prayed for us - this is the best possible outcome for us. We feel very blessed.

Note - I want to keep this in chronological order, so scroll down to see posts I am planning on adding about our time in Utah (it may take a while to add them - pesky things like mountains of laundry & 6 weeks worth of mail keep getting in my way.)

Colorado!

Rick was home in NY, and Rebekah went to EFY for a week - so the three little one's and I headed to Colorado to visit one of our most favorite families in the whole world.

We were devastated when Rob, Melissa & their girls moved away from Brooklyn, but can't begrudge them the happy life & close family they have now. We've been happy to see them several times since they left.

We had 4 blissful days with them. The girls got right to playing as if they'd never been apart.

We went to a park near their house, where the girls had the time of their lives playing in the water, gathering rocks and following the ducks around.

Emily told me their plan was to "lure the duckling away from it's mother, quickly pick it up and cuddle it, and then put it back before the mother notices." Good luck with that sister.

Such a nice hot sunny (not humid) day.

While the big girls pursued the ducks Jacob, Jane & Sara played to their hearts content in this great sand / water play area. Build in equipment, lots of water and sand - who could ask for more!

Jacob was totally focused on the work at hand.

They also had lots of fun running in the sprinklers together.

Great friends!

Riding in the backyard.

Apart from being the most delightful family ever, they also have the most delightful dog. (Sorry Tara! He isn't as obedient as Darwin - although very good - but he beats him out on size, and super sweet temperament. Perfectly cuddly.)
My kids loved Fritz. Fritz loved them somewhat less. Jacob and Jane followed him around constantly hugging him, patting him and trying to pick him up.

The reason for the timing of the visit was to go to Anne's baptism.
We were thrilled to be there for her special day. I love the friendship these two have.

We love you guys!

The Three Musketeers.

Thanks for letting us steal your beds, eat all your food, pull out all your toys & dress-ups every day, terrorize your dog and generally disrupt your life. We've never had so much fun, and we miss you already.