Update

I haven't updated in a while because I feel like there is not much to update!  I have been working for 2 months now and love my job but miss my little Penoppers.  The plus side is that I usually get off around 3ish, so I still get to see Penny for a few hours every day and I get to see more of Scott now.

Scott is adjusting to his new setting and mostly loving it.  I think the hardest thing for him is finding things for him and Penny to do, so if anyone has suggestions, I think he would really appreciate it! Those 2 have a lot of fun together though.  The other day I was at work and I got this beautiful picture:

(Kellie, notice the jacket? :) )

Every time I look at Penny I can't believe how big she is!  She is growing up before my eyes!  18 months old today!

She is still such a joy but definitely has a mind of her own!  She is a good listener and does well with following instructions, as long as it's something she wants to do :)

One thing she is really good at is folding her arms for the prayer.  She'll even fold them if she just thinks it's time to pray, like when we sit down at the table or after singing a song in church.  Her new thing is closing her eyes too.

She stole that book from Scott.  For some reason, she has decided she likes adult books much more than children's books and "reads" them all on her own.

 Today, we went to the mall and Penny had to play in all the little coin-operated cars.  She really looked big doing that.  And it was a weird moment for me because for the first time, I actually saw myself in her.  It was just like looking at me when I was younger.

Overall, we are enjoying life!

Scott is officially a Grown-Up

Today Scott turns THIRTY.  People keep telling him "It's all downhill from here."  And his reply: "Good!  That means it's easier!" :)

On Saturday night we had a party to celebrate it, and of course we had to reenact 1983.  Scott made an awesome playlist that was all hits from 1983, and we had a good turnout of his friends and family.  We also had some AWESOME outfits that night that we have to share.

(My hair was bigger when we left the house.)

And just for the record, Sandy found all of this in her actual closet.

I was pretty impressed with my sisters.  I think my favorite is my sister, Melissa's.  That green crushed velvet dress was a bridesmaid dress from my aunt's wedding in the late 80's, and has been in my mom's closet ever since!

Brandee and Scott- he gets an award for being the only person wearing a fanny pack!

I was also impressed with the guys in my family, especially since guys have so many fewer choices.  Ben went with 80's Ken doll (or something like that) and Mike did 80's surfer.

Finley Mae!  She also needs an award.

Ok, check out that Saved By The Bell shirt!  Another award.

A huge thanks to everyone who came and another huge thanks to all those who dressed up!  Happy birthday, Scott!

Changes

 In April 2011 Scott was let go from his job at a law firm.  Whenever he told people that he was a law clerk they would ask the same question, "Oh, so you want to be a lawyer?"  Anyone who knows Scott knows that couldn't be further from what he wants to be.  So we took the loss of his job as a blessing in disguise.  We decided to use this as an opportunity for him to finally get into the field he wanted to be in.  The next few months were scary, because I was pregnant and wanted desperately to stay at home with my baby.  In August Scott was hired as a temp for Activision, a large video game company.  He was very excited to be working for them, but it was scary for both of us because it was only supposed to last until October, which was only a few days after we had our child.  Well that two months stretched into 17.  On January 4th, 2013 Scott was finally let go from Activision.  Again, we were terrified.  We were already living on a very limited income- we were spending more than we were making, and not spending money on anything extra.  And now we have a 15-month-old and no income.

The only thing that kept me together at this time was my faith.  I knew the Lord would take care of us, as he has so many times before.  I stumbled across the scripture Isaiah 41:10,13: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."  I put it up on my wall and it has been my mantra.  It has really helped to calm me and reminded me to look at the big picture.

Again, we have decided to use this opportunity and see it as a blessing in disguise.  Before having Penny, I worked as a veterinary technician.  I graduated with my BS a week before marrying Scott, and 8 months later, earned my RVT.  I loved working with animals and in medicine so this was a dream job for me.  But, quitting so I could take care of my child was a no-brainer.  The plan was for us to have our family and then I would return to work once the youngest was in school.  I actually enjoy working, but my family comes in a huge first.  BUT, as so often happens, the plans have changed.

After much researching, pondering, fasting and praying, we have come to a decision.  Scott is going back to school full time to get his BA in graphic design (That is the plan for now at least, he may end up doing a certificate program or something).  He will be the stay-at-home-parent while I work.  I start a new job at an animal hospital in Santa Fe Springs (which is about 15 minutes from us) on Friday and Scott plans to start school in the fall after using this time to research schools and programs.  We are very excited, even though we only know what our lives will look like for a few months at a time!

So to all my stay-at-home-mom friends, thank you for your friendship and I will miss you!  Hopefully we can still get together on my day off now and then.  And if anyone knows any stay-at-home-dads, Scott could use some buddies!

Dumb Ways to Die

This is our new favorite video.  And we might be bad parents because it's also Penny's favorite video.  Watch it, you'll love it and have the song stuck in your head but you won't mind because it's awesome.

Warning: Don't watch this if you don't like cartoon violence!

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

 
You need this recipe.

This stuff is SO GOOD and it is really easy to make.  I got it from the Hershey's Chocolate Cookbook (which was one of our wonderful wedding gifts).  Warning: this cheesecake is VERY rich and addictive!

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

6 Tb butter or margarine, melted
6 Tb cocoa
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups (about 45 cookies) Nilla Wafer crumbs
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tb lemon juice
1 1/2 cups Reeses peanut butter chips
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 pint whipping cream, whipped

1. Stir together butter, cocoa, powdered sugar and Nilla Wafer crumbs in bowl.  Press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan (or just a regular pie pan); refrigerate while preparing filling.
2. Beat cream cheese and lemon juice in large bowl until fluffy; set aside.  Combine peanut butter chips and sweetened condensed milk in medium saucepan over low heat; stir constantly until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.  Add to cream cheese mixture; blend well.  Fold in whipped cream.  Pour evenly over crumb crust.

3. Cover and refrigerate over night or several hours.  Add any kind of topping you'd like before serving- I've had it plain, with a cranberry topping or with crushed Butterfingers.  Everything was delicious and there are so many more possibilities.  And that's it!  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Our photos were taken by the talented and wonderful Kellie.

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