Second Interview

Hello everyone,
Thank you for praying for Travis today if you did, we really appreciate it. I just talked to him, he's on his way to the airport, and he feels the interview went well. They said they would let him know within 24-48 hours either way on this one. He's supposed to hear about the first interview some time today or tomorrow. It's out of his hands now, now we just wait and trust. I'll post again as soon as we know anything about either position. In the mean time, you can continue to pray for us, both for patience, and that our hearts would be prepared to hear the news, whatever that news is, and that we would be able to rest in God's plan for us, finding joy and contentment in that plan knowing that it is good. Thanks again for everything.
Love, Sarah

A tribute to preemies and those who love them!

Today, May 8th, 2006 marks my full 24th week of pregnancy. Reaching this milestone, I can't help but think of my sister and good friend Crystal, who in the week ahead, would be facing one of the scariest moments of their lives. It's hard for me to emagine giving birth to a tiny one pound baby, but that's exactly what they were forced to do as their bodies went into preterm labor that couldn't be stopped. These tiny little boys, oblivious to what was happening, made their entrance into the world over three months too soon. A decade or two ago, they could not have been saved. But praise the Lord for willing them to be born in this day and age when He was able to work through medical technology to save their fragile lives. And I have no doubt that those lives have such great purpose! They have already been used in countless ways to draw others closer to God and have been the greatest single blessings in their parent's lives. Never again will I take a single week of pregnancy for grantid. Every remaining week that I have to keep little Chloe safe and in the most ideal place for her to grow will be celebrated with the utmost humility and gratitude to our Creator. I would also like to bring your attention to a wonderful agency called March of Dimes. They are always raising funds and awareness for the research going on into the causes and prevention of preterm labor and birth. Tayden and Noah, I love you! And Amber and Crystal, you are my heros!
Love, Sarah

Today's interview

I just heard from Travis and he feels today's interview went very well as far as he could tell. They're always careful not to give you much feedback and keep their demeanors neutral, but he feels he did his best and is now focusing on preparing for Monday's interview. Thanks for praying for him today, your prayers were felt. Now we just need prayer for patience, patience, patience, I think especially for me. We're hoping to know either way on both positions by end of next week, that's what we're praying for anyway. We hope you all have a nice weekend and I'll be in touch again on Monday.
Sarah

Pray

Well, today is the day for Travis's first interview with HP. He arrived in Fort Collins safe last night and hopefully was able to get a good night's rest for his interview today. The interviewing process begins at 9:00am today, and then for the other position at 9:00am on Monday, so if you would like, please joint me at 9:00am both today and Monday to pray for him. Pray for calm nerves, peace, and confidence as he goes in and that he would be able to articulate his knowledge and thoughts in an impressive manor when answering questions. He will also be writing some code on the spot, so also pray that the "code genius" in his brain would come out at those times :) He's supposed to call me today and let me know how this first interview goes, so I'll try to post again tonight to fill you in. Thanks so much!
Love, Sarah

Interviews

Hello Friends!
Well, we have an official plan for Travis's upcoming interviews. He will fly out tomorrow evening, then interview for the first position on Friday. He will then have the weekend to rest up and study for the second interview on Monday. He will fly home Monday night. Please pray for him as he goes into these interviews, that he would have a sense of peace and confidence that the Lord will give him the words and knowledge and will provide the right offer should that be His plan. Thank you in advance for you love and support as we await the results of these interviews.
Love, Sarah

News!

Hello everyone,
No fancy pictures or graphics for this post. Just some recent happenings in our lives that we'd love your prayers for. Several weeks ago, Travis applied for two positions at HP in Fort Collins, after which he vowed, "no more applying for jobs for at least a year so we can enjoy living in our new house for awhile before trying again". Well, as irony would have it, he recieved calls on BOTH positions! After completing phone interivews for both positions, we now have news that they are flying him out for second round interviews for BOTH positions this week! The first position he probably wouldn't take even if offered, it's just not the direction he wants to take his career. But the other one, he's very hopeful about as it really fits his interests. Not only that, but he's recieved very positive feedback from the phone interviews for the position and feels he nailed them unlike he's done in any other interview. He will fly out this Thursday night and interview for the first position on Friday. Then hopefully they will schedule the second interivew for Monday so he can get it all taken care of in one trip, but we'll find out the specifics today. To be honest, it has been a bag of mixed emotions as we anticipate this possible life change. While we can't help but be excited about the possibility of living closer to family, especially with Chloe's birth just around the corner. Colorado is where we would like to settle for a long period of time, so the thought that "settling" could be in our near future is such a blessed thought. But at the same time, we were feeling a little melancholy at the thought of leaving Salt Lake as we talked about it in a car ride the other night. It brought me to tears to think of how much I have loved our life here. As hard as it has been living away from family, the Lord has stretched us and grown us and drawn us to Himself here in ways that we wouldn't trade for anything. We have become a tight knit little family of three and have learned to depend on the Lord for everything in a way we never had before. He has blessed us tremendously with a church family and wonderful friends, and we feel our marriage has taken strong root here as we've established healthy indenpendence as a family. But we know that change is inevitable in life and if we are seeking God's guidance at every turn, we have to trust that He will carry us through each change. So the prayers we are asking for, first and formost, are for God's wisdom and guidance should Travis be offered this job at HP. Above all, we want to listen to Him as we make this decision and not get caught up in our own desires ignoring His plan in the situation. Secondly, we need prayer for patience and peace as we wait for news of an offer (or not). And thirdly, we need prayer that if Travis is not offered this job, that we would find contentment, peace, and joy in staying here for as long as the Lord would have us here, ready to embrace the ways He plans to work in and through us next. I thank you all so much for letting me share our lives so candidly with you and for praying for us as you feel led. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve, I believe that vulnerability is the key to growth, so I thank you for always letting me be vulnerable with you.
Always, Sarah

Happy Birthday Tayden!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my precious nephew Tayden! Two years ago today, my sister Amber and brother in law Tommy were going through one of the scariest and, at the same time, most miraculous moments of their lives. Tayden Michael was born at only 24 weeks gestation, weighing in at 1 pound 11 ounces. A "micro preemie" as they call them, the odds were stacked against him for survival, and even more stacked against him for complications leading to permanant ill effects on his health and life.




But I am happy to report that our little miracle boy is a happy, ornery two your old boy who is walking, jumping, climbing and beginning to talk. With glasses on, he's got adaquate vision to see his world and his little smile can light up a room. He loves to bang things and make noise, climb things he's not supposed to, and thow attitude at just the right moments to get his way. I miss him so much and am counting down the days until we live closer so he and Emma can have more play dates. But for now, I must take this opportunity to brag on him and celebrate his life from afar. He truely is a gift from God and it is an auntie's prayer that the Lord will continue to bless him and shape him into the man he was created to be. I love you Tayden! And Emma sends a big kiss and hug your way too! Happy Birthday!

Nana's Visit

Here's Nana and me in our Easter clothes just before church. Nana got to stay for 10 whole days, we had so much fun! I discovered that one of my favorite special things that Nana does better than anyone else is "tickles" or goosebumps. She has just the right fingernails and I can't get enough.



We also had a great time playing dress up with some high heel shoes that friend Carla gave me. I feel like such a big girl when I wear them. I'm truely a girl, there's no doubt, I even say, "oh cute!" when I try on new clothes.




And of course, our time together wouldn't be complete without drinking lots of milk while cuddling on Nana's lap, I'm a milk-aholic after all. I sure do love my Nana and I can't wait to see her in August when "baby Chloe" is born. Thanks for the visit Nana, I love and miss you so much!

20 week belly!

Okay, so I got brave and decided to let you all see my bare belly. I hope it doesn't offend. As you can see, little Chloe is growing every day in there. I can't believe we're already at the halfway mark, the time is really flying! So many big changes on the horizon. First moving into our new home, then becoming a family of four. We covet your prayers with all these big transitions/blessings.

Love, Sarah

Our new house is growing!

Here we are, standing on our new front porch in front of our new front door! The rest of the pictures are pretty self explanitory. Everything is looking great and we're still on track to close mid to late June. Thanks for sharing in our excitment, we'll keep you all posted.

Love, Sarah