Divine Signatures

I have decided to dedicate a blog post to all the "Divine Signatures" or tender mercies we have witnessed/experienced during this unemployment trial that we have been enduring.  I will continually add blessings to this list as they occur, however great or insignificant they may be.

1.  Paycheck from Ardyss - (At least when Darin was laid off, he received his last paycheck, along with reimbursements and back-pay for health insurance that the company was supposed to have been paying for 4 months.)
2.  We didn't move to Vegas.  This could have been worse had our family up and moved to Vegas for a job that didn't last more than 4 1/2 months.
3.  Unemployment Payments - (Even though it is extremely minimal...less than a quarter of what Darin was earning...we are thankful for it.)
4.  The Frank family inviting us over for Sunday dinner just after Darin was laid off.
5.  Summer break was soon to start - (We didn't need to drive the kids back and forth from school, dance, piano, violin lessons, etc., paying for costly gasoline and lesson tuition fees.)
6.  Bishop's Storehouse - As humbling as it is to go "shop" at the storehouse, made available to needy families through others' fast offerings, it has been a HUGE blessing to have food on our table for each meal...and good food at that.  Yummy beef, yummy mac and cheese, fresh fruits and veggies, and even ice cream!)
7.  A couple pencil drawing commissions paying $400 each and a few art print sales off of Darin's art website.
8.  Selling Darin's Yamaha 4-wheeler for $750 within the first week of it's listing on KSL.
9.  Darin got to go on the Stake Pioneer Trek as a Big Brother and photographer, an amazing experience for him offering spiritual growth, an opportunity to serve, and a much needed "OUT".
10.  I got a job at the local TARGET store, as an early morning team member, responsible for stocking shelves on delivery days.  (MWF, 6-10 a.m)  I was told that only 1 in 2,000 people get hired at Target corporate-wide.  "The cards were just right for you," the HR Leader said.  Just after starting the job, I overhead HR telling a caller that they are no longer hiring, but that they'll keep the resume on file for the upcoming seasonal hires.  Three other "moms" from our ward work there with me.  It is not a "fulfilling" job, but it is "something" and it will help a little.
11.  Our cute neighbor down the street (Dakota's Primary teacher), Dianne Higley, brought over a big case of Yoplait yogurt she picked up from Costco after remembering me mention in an earlier conversation that our family was missing yogurt...the Bishop's Storehouse doesn't stock it.
12.  Darin has been picking up landscaping jobs through a family friend (Alan Bott) who owns a business.  He has been paying him on the side for mowing lawns locally and in Tooele.
13.  No major injuries or illnesses...good things since we only have Dakota insured.  Now, if we could just figure out how to pay for Oakley's and Brooklyn's doctor appointments from April (when we didn't know we wouldn't be insured).
14.  Both State and Church Employment centers are telling Darin that it's not his fault that he can not find a job..."It's just the trend we are seeing.  Companies are not quick to hire.  Hang in there!  Don't get discouraged."
15.  Lynne Nelson, upon a surprise visit to our house from Mapleton, dropped off food from their last Costco shopping trip (Chips, Salsa, Frozen Chicken Breasts, Brownie Mixes, etc.)
16.  Darin started teaching art classes two nights a week in our home bringing in some much needed cash.  HE NEEDS MORE STUDENTS, THOUGH!
17.  Ben and Mel taking Darin and I out to eat.
18.  Holly moving in and paying a little rent.

19.  LDS Church has a job opening for events.  We have my cousin, Ron Stutz, trying to help push Darin's app through.
20.  Will "Arrix" sp? be ready for Darin in January?  Will Mark Loo have something for him in the meantime?  FIVE MLM companies all have Event Positions available.  = HOPE (Even though we have heard nothing from any of them in over two months.)
21.  My mom and dad paid off our Suburban as a loan...we will pay them back as soon as we are employed again.
22.  Darin sold his Lexus for more than we owed.  We can use the extra for living expenses.
23.  Maui Chai just may buy Darin's "The Difficult Lesson" reproduction for $15,000.  Just waiting to hear.
24. Darin interviewed with a company called ??? in July.  A former co-worker from NuSkin (Bart Grazier), after realizing he had no contact info for him, went on a "man hunt" using social media and connected with him via LinkedIn, which Darin had just joined.  Still waiting to hear on job.
25.  Still got to vacation in Park City with the Hyte Family, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Hyte and their willingness to share their time-share.  We had a great time and it allowed us a much needed R&R and a break from reality.
26.  The Shirts Family took us boating for the day at Utah lake.  Makenna tried to water ski and nearly got up.  They had a really fun time being pulled on the big water tube and bounced all over.  The girls loved this and gave us something to look forward to.
27.  The Knadler Family, in our ward, dropped off a card with a $500 check included to help with the costs involved in getting kids ready for the new school year.  We used pretty much all of it buying backpacks, school supplies, and a few needed school uniform pieces.
28. No job for Darin at ???.  Must be another plan.  He did find out, however, that they guy they hired is being paid very little ($40,000 than what Darin was getting paid before he lost his job).
29.  Oakley was accepted into Hawthorn Academy with her sisters and was able to get into A.M kindergarten.  This allowed me to keep my job and take longer shifts, if needed, for extra $$$ before needing to pick her up.
30.  Free entertainment - Hogle Zoo on annual passes that we already owned (Grandma helped us renew that year).
31.  Brooklyn, Makenna, and Oakley are finally accepted with CHiP (medical insurance for children who can't afford it).
32.  Recycled Halloween Costumes - luckily I have held onto some of the past years' costumes and we found enough in our stock pile to fit each of the girls.  Even though we couldn't pull off one of our themed group costumes, we had something different for each of them that they were excited about.
33.  Darin interviews (and interviews and interviews) with Beachbody after running into some former coworkers at lunch.  It just so happened that they were looking for a recognition person.  After 13 interviews (in person and over the phone), HE LANDS a JOB!!!!
34.  I continue to work bringing in a little extra to fill in the gaps.
35.  Darin continues to find art students.
36.  Arla and Sheldon Rolfe (an awesome older couple in our ward) give us a Christmas card with $250 in it to help with the extra costs associated with the Holidays.
37.  Bishop Chuck Anderson gives us a couple Target gift cards to help us out with purchasing Christmas gifts for the family.  Even though Darin has a job at this time (so far so good), the Bishop knows that it takes a while to get your head above water.
  Even these things are only possibilities, they still offer hope.  Hope can help us endure.  It brightens our spirit just enough to get us through another day.  It also reminds us that God remembers us.

Best of State 2011

Darin won Best of State again this year!  He brought home two awards this time in the Visual Arts Category; one for Drawing and Illustration and the other for Painting.  The Awards Gala is always enjoyable (fun to dress up fancy for the night) and it's always cool to see what other companies/individuals win for their categories, especially those who are truly making a difference in our community.  I am so proud of Darin!

Spring Recital 2011

Dakota and Oakley danced in their Spring Recital this past weekend at Bingham High School.  They looked absolutely gorgeous in their costumes, hair, and make-up.  They are truly princess at heart.  I am so glad that they got to finish off this dance year on a positive note and am really sad that this is the end of it.  With Darin's job loss, we have decided to take the kids out of all of their extra curricular activities (dance, piano, violin) because we just can't afford it right now.  The sad part is that we don't know when they'll be able to start back up...and any "time off" from dance would put their skills so far behind their peers.  Financially, these activities drain us and it would most likely become even more expensive as their involvement increases.  I am just grateful that they got to do this a little bit.

Laid Off

Well...it happened...Darin lost is job!

He called me on his way home from work, today, almost laughing, and said, "I can't believe it.  I got laid off!  They let me go."  He may have been laughing in more of stupor, but still, he was laughing and feeling very relieved to be done with them.  I, on the other hand, was NOT laughing.  The reality and fear of having no income had hit me immediately.  "What are you going to do?" I asked.  "Start looking for another job," he said (still giddily laughing).  I was glad that he was happy and feeling good about the situation, but I'm still so worried.

He is going into the office tomorrow to finish up some things and then will be on his way from Vegas.  Things will definitely change.

South Jordan City Art Competiton

Darin and the girls decided to enter in some art pieces to the South Jordan City Art Competition that they do every year.  It's was not a big show, but a good experience.  Both Makenna and Dakota won various awards.  Makenna won both first and second place for her two paintings in her age category.  She got two bags full of art supplies.  Dakota took home the Best in Show award for her unicorn "Dancing Duo" painting, which was a $50 cash prize.  Wow!  Brooklyn did not take anything in the competition.  She was very bummed.  It was a good opportunity to explain to her that #1 we can't win everything, and #2 Art is very subjective.  No two judges will think alike.  After all, Darin didn't win anything, either, yet he has won Best of State for the same paintings.  Hmm.  Still, it was hard for her to watch her sisters get honored tonight; however, we couldn't let it overshadow the other girls' awards.

The awards party was nice.  It was set up like a little gallery and there were yummy refreshments.  We were able to snack while we perused all the other art pieces.  Many, including some of the judges and organizers asked if the girls belonged to the Darin Ashby that also entered paintings.  When confirmed, they assumed we were a whole family of artists, including me.  I told them, "NOPE!"  I don't have any of that talent, but I surely encourage it!!!!  They also said that Dakota's "Dancing Duo" painting could sell.  It's that good.  They said that we should make prints of it, even greeting cards.  Wow!  They loved it!!!!

Darin, unfortunately, couldn't be there (in Vegas working, of course).  So, photos are the next best thing.  (We were very surprised that Darin did not win anything.  The painter who did win, apparently takes it every year, both 1st place, as well as Best in Show.  But, then again, you can't win everything.)

Easter Dresses 2011

We didn't buy new Easter dresses this year because we had just bought all the girls new dresses for Uncle Dave's and Aunt Chelsea's wedding.  They were still excited to get all dolled up for the occasion. 

These little ladies are all growing up WAY TOO FAST!  We got some cute photos of them posing in their new outfits.  I love the family shots we took.  Of course, we are not ALL together in one shot because Darin and I are taking turns behind the camera.  I need to remember that we have a tripod and a timer on the camera.  We should use it more often.

Happy Easter everyone!

I love this one...Brooklyn decided to kiss her daddy's
head just before I snapped the photo.

Easter Morning 2011

Easter morning is always an anticipated day in our house.  The girls can't wait to wake up and search for their Easter baskets.  Does the Easter Bunny at your house hide the baskets REALLY well?  He does at our house and he seems to get sneaker and sneaker each year.  This year was no different.  Except...this year the Easter Bunny did not hide the baskets, only the stuff in it.  The girls were little confused when they saw their empty baskets still sitting on the floor where they left them.  Instead, they found a hand-written note taped to the wall above the baskets.

Off they went to search for their stuff.

 

And here is what E.B. brought me this year!  Yay!