Well, I have been waiting for the right time to blog about the newest development in the Williams household! Many of you who read my blog already know that Scott has recently taken a new position with a completely different company. But, for those of you who happen to stop by my blog that don't already know, Scott is starting a new chapter in his career. He has faithfully been employed with Nemours Children's Clinic for the past 10 years (almost to the day) as a Senior Web Developer. While it was a very good job for him and for us as a family in terms of all the benefits, it seems that God has opened a new door for Scott recently! He is now working for Wyndham Vacation Ownership...aka Wyndham Worldwide Resorts...aka Wyndham. You're probably already familiar with this particular resort hotel chain. What I didn't know before he took this new job was that the company is as huge as it really is. It includes many resorts such as Baymont Inns & Suites, Fairfield Resorts, and even Ramada. His new job title is User-Interface Software Engineer.
This unique job opportunity couldn't have come at a more perfect time in our lives! Scott's former boss at Nemours recently left to take a director's position at Wyndham. Just before he left Nemours, he called Scott out of the blue one day and told him that he wanted to bring Scott with him over to Wyndham. As a new director, his boss would have the authority to hire a whole new team of about 12 employees within the Wyndham IT department in Orlando! What a compliment it was to know that his former boss thought highly enough of Scott's skills that he would ask him to come over to Wyndham with him! Now, let me tell you that at first, we really didn't think that he would truly end up calling Scott back after he left Nemours. But, sure enough, after about 3 weeks of being gone from Nemours, his former boss called back and pitched the same offer to Scott. After several weeks of waiting and praying, and truly searching for God's desire in this matter, it became evident that God was opening this door wide for Scott to come over to Wyndham! In fact, the day the official job offer came to Scott over the phone, his former boss offered him even more in terms of salary than he had first discussed with Scott! We couldn't believe the blessing of it all! After several years of such dismal financial times for us, it is finally so refreshing to think that maybe...just maybe, we can begin to emerge from this deep, dark, hopeless hole we've been trapped in financially! Don't get me wrong, we're not out of the woods yet, but it certainly is nice to know that God is being faithful in terms of meeting our needs, albeit at the "11th hour"! I can't even begin to describe to you the constant struggles we've faced with always having negative balances in our checking account, the endless cycle of bank fees due to negative balances, and even the embarrassing cycle of bounced checks, and even MORE bank fees! It has literally become a way of life for us over the past 2 years and it has been "hell on earth" for us! No, I am NOT kidding. I have been so discouraged at how our attempts to adjust to a much different lifestyle and cutting back on everything possible have not even really been enough to keep our account balance with at least a zero balance consistently. It has been SO trying and hopeless! I had gotten past the point of giving up and throwing the towel in altogether over the whole mess. But, really, when you reach the end of your rope, where are you gonna' go from there? And, as anyone who knows what our family has been through in years past will tell you, suicide is NEVER the answer! There is nowhere else to go when all else fails you...except into the loving arms of Jesus! That's what I have learned and am still learning.
With that said, I am just so thankful to report that Scott had his first day at Wyndham on Monday this week and I am excited to see the possibilities that may await him in the future with his career there! Congratulations, honey, for being the hard-working provider that you are! I am really proud of you!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Flashback to the 80's!!
glitter-graphics.com
I get these types of questionnaires a lot on myspace and email, so I thought I would fill one out and use it as my next blog post entry! When you're done reading through it, copy and paste it and fill in your own answers for fun...then send it via email or post it on your own blog! Come on....you know you want to!!!!!! ;o)
Did you listen to New Kids on the Block?
-A little, but not too much
Did you ever own a slap bracelet?
-No, but what about jelly bracelets and friendship bracelets?
The Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley High?
-Definitely "Sweet Valley High"
Salute Your Shorts or Hey Dude?
-Not sure what that is, but I'll vote for Hey Dude!
Kids Incorporated or The Mickey Mouse Club?
-Neither
Did you want Dylan to end up w/ Brenda or Kelly?
-Kelly
Who was ALF?
-An ALIEN
Do you remember the show Dinosaurs?
-YES... "Not the mama, not the mama!"
Do/did you know the words to the Fresh Prince theme song?
-only about half of it
Kimmie Gibler or Urkel?
-Eww...NEITHER!
Blossom or Clarissa Explains It All?
-Nope...neither!!!
Did you have a crush on JTT?
-Jonathan Taylor Thomas? No crush, wasn't he more like a 90's kid anyway?
Bobby Brown or Tevin Campbell?
-Still neither
Step By Step or Full House?
-Full House (but really, my first choice for favorite family show was, "Little House on the Prairie")
Did you listen to Milli Vanili?
-Barely
Mr. Rogers or Reading Rainbow?
-Mr. Rogers
Did you own a Glo Worm?
-No, but my daughter does
Paula Abdul: better now or then?
-THEN
Wild 'n' Crazy Kids or Double Dare?
-Neither
Remember Legends of the Hidden Temple?
-Nope
The Mighty Ducks or The Little Giants?
-Neither
Did you watch Saved By The Bell?
-Yes...gotta' love Zack!
Who was hotter: Zack or Slater?
-Definitely Zack...I love Mark Paul Gosselaer
Did you own a pair of Reebok Pumps?
-just Reeboks running shoes
Carebears or Smurfs?
-Smurfs...I love Smurfette!
Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake?
-Strawberry Shortcake
Did you watch Miami Vice?
-Who didn't?
Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes?
-Yes, but must I admit it?
Did you own a Trapper Keeper?
-Oh yes, every school year!
Atari or Nintendo?
-Atari...I still love PacMan and Ms. PacMan
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Out of the mouths of babes...
This is funny! I just got this email tonight from Amanda's preschool teacher. It was in the form of a newsletter to the parents and she thought it would be cute to show the parents a glimpse of some of the conversations that these little 4 and 5-year-olds carry on throughout their days at preschool! You'll get a few good laughs too...
Conversations and observations from the first few months of school:
(in no particular order of time or occurrence or actually… meaning!)
Over heard in homeliving area:
Child is holding the pvc play phone to ear, looking out window and passionately holds
the following conversation: “ I cannot deal with this now. I am busy. I will be home in a while and we will discuss this. I just can’t deal with it now. I am on my way and we will discuss it”
Asked of myself by a child while working one on one: “Miss Geina, aren’t I pretty today?” my reply, “yes, you are”
child…”well, you know we are rich”. Me…”no, I did not know that” child…”oh yeah, we have so much money, it is all over”. Me…”really, wow, that’s nice”.
child…”my daddy works and works and we have just soooo much money”
Me…”well, what do you do with all that money?” child…” well, after my daddy pays some bills with some of the money he give the rest to my mama and she just shops and shops. She loves to shop cause we are rich”.
Me…” so mommy likes to shop?” child…”yeah,that is what she does…cause we are so rich.
Me…”well you do look pretty today” child…” yeah, I know”
Complaint from a child to me during center play:
Miss Geina, I can’t play with her if she won’t marry me”. Me…”well, sweetie, maybe she doesn’t want to get married. can’t you play nicely without getting married?” child…”well, I guess so, but I am already dressed (had a huge man’s coat on). Me…”did you ask her what she wants to play before you got dressed?” child… “I did ask her”. Me…”and..what did she say?” child…” she said no”. Me…well, sweetie, I guess she wants to do something else and not get married today”. child…”but I have the coat”. Me…”so take it off and play something else if you wish”. child calling off “wedding” enters conversation…”miss Geina, I told him I don’t want to get married”. Me…well, honey you don’t have to get married…you can just play in your center”. child left at alter,(so to speak)…” I thought you wanted to get married”.
Other child with hands on hips,”oh okay, I’ll marry you if first we can play in the sand center”. And they lived happily ever after………….
Child to me as we are getting ready to dance,” Miss Geina, you always say shake your booty”.
“that’s so funny. My mommy loves to shake her booty”
Child, after class being asked to sit crisscross applesauce on carpet for story time…”Miss Geina, I’ll just sit with you”. Me…”no sweetie, you need to sit with your friends”.
Child… “I can’t” Me…”well why not?” Child…”my mommy says I need to sit with you and hold the book”. (what could I say….i let the child sit there…one time!)
Child while working in small group with me,” I am sad Miss Geina”. Me…”oh honey, I am so sorry. What is wrong?” child…”my sister won’t play with me”. Me…”did you ask her to and she said no?” child, “uh-huh”. Me “well, perhaps if you ask her nicely again”. Child: “I did and she said NO, I don’t want to play with you!” Me:”that is sad” Child: “yeah, and she gets on my bed” Me: “you might ask her nicely,again”. child: “it won’t do any good, she say no and she won’t get off my bed” Me: “well what can you do about it?” Child:” I guess nothing. it’s a situation.” (I wish I could show you the hand gestures…they were a hoot!)
Overheard coming from homeliving: “ You need to be the cat now. it is your turn” “But I am not going to feed you!”
Lunch time is the mother lode of conversation and adventure into uncharted territories! Here is a post card version
of some of my favorites:
Child,(laughing so hard) “ look at this…my mommy packed me a sandwich for lunch! What was she thinking!”. =0)
I am used to their little tricky selves telling me “my mommy says to each my cookie first”. Sure she did! I don’t even say anything anymore. I just give the the “look” make my speech as follows……..
Miss Geina repeating daily speech,” don’t eat the goodie until you eat the good stuff” child: “miss Geina, I cannot eat this” Me: “what’s wrong with it honey?” Child” I just can’t eat it” Me” let me ck it, (after smelling it),
it seems okay, I think it is good”. This went back and forth for a couple of minutes. Finally the child said,
Miss Geina, I cannot eat this bologna”. Me: “why”. child: “this bologna smells just like my mother”. end of conversation…..i had no idea where to go with it!!! hehe.
Hopefully, you can tell our days are full and fun. Never a dull moment. The babies are so bright and the sunshine in my day. I simply adore each of them.
Time to close this book. I hope you enjoyed this bird’s eye view of our room. With time I will share more musings from my little flock………but not the names……..must continue to protect the innocent! Thank you for the honor and joy of sharing Christ and academia with these wee ones.
Loving the wee ones,
Miss Geina
Conversations and observations from the first few months of school:
(in no particular order of time or occurrence or actually… meaning!)
Over heard in homeliving area:
Child is holding the pvc play phone to ear, looking out window and passionately holds
the following conversation: “ I cannot deal with this now. I am busy. I will be home in a while and we will discuss this. I just can’t deal with it now. I am on my way and we will discuss it”
Asked of myself by a child while working one on one: “Miss Geina, aren’t I pretty today?” my reply, “yes, you are”
child…”well, you know we are rich”. Me…”no, I did not know that” child…”oh yeah, we have so much money, it is all over”. Me…”really, wow, that’s nice”.
child…”my daddy works and works and we have just soooo much money”
Me…”well, what do you do with all that money?” child…” well, after my daddy pays some bills with some of the money he give the rest to my mama and she just shops and shops. She loves to shop cause we are rich”.
Me…” so mommy likes to shop?” child…”yeah,that is what she does…cause we are so rich.
Me…”well you do look pretty today” child…” yeah, I know”
Complaint from a child to me during center play:
Miss Geina, I can’t play with her if she won’t marry me”. Me…”well, sweetie, maybe she doesn’t want to get married. can’t you play nicely without getting married?” child…”well, I guess so, but I am already dressed (had a huge man’s coat on). Me…”did you ask her what she wants to play before you got dressed?” child… “I did ask her”. Me…”and..what did she say?” child…” she said no”. Me…well, sweetie, I guess she wants to do something else and not get married today”. child…”but I have the coat”. Me…”so take it off and play something else if you wish”. child calling off “wedding” enters conversation…”miss Geina, I told him I don’t want to get married”. Me…well, honey you don’t have to get married…you can just play in your center”. child left at alter,(so to speak)…” I thought you wanted to get married”.
Other child with hands on hips,”oh okay, I’ll marry you if first we can play in the sand center”. And they lived happily ever after………….
Child to me as we are getting ready to dance,” Miss Geina, you always say shake your booty”.
“that’s so funny. My mommy loves to shake her booty”
Child, after class being asked to sit crisscross applesauce on carpet for story time…”Miss Geina, I’ll just sit with you”. Me…”no sweetie, you need to sit with your friends”.
Child… “I can’t” Me…”well why not?” Child…”my mommy says I need to sit with you and hold the book”. (what could I say….i let the child sit there…one time!)
Child while working in small group with me,” I am sad Miss Geina”. Me…”oh honey, I am so sorry. What is wrong?” child…”my sister won’t play with me”. Me…”did you ask her to and she said no?” child, “uh-huh”. Me “well, perhaps if you ask her nicely again”. Child: “I did and she said NO, I don’t want to play with you!” Me:”that is sad” Child: “yeah, and she gets on my bed” Me: “you might ask her nicely,again”. child: “it won’t do any good, she say no and she won’t get off my bed” Me: “well what can you do about it?” Child:” I guess nothing. it’s a situation.” (I wish I could show you the hand gestures…they were a hoot!)
Overheard coming from homeliving: “ You need to be the cat now. it is your turn” “But I am not going to feed you!”
Lunch time is the mother lode of conversation and adventure into uncharted territories! Here is a post card version
of some of my favorites:
Child,(laughing so hard) “ look at this…my mommy packed me a sandwich for lunch! What was she thinking!”. =0)
I am used to their little tricky selves telling me “my mommy says to each my cookie first”. Sure she did! I don’t even say anything anymore. I just give the the “look” make my speech as follows……..
Miss Geina repeating daily speech,” don’t eat the goodie until you eat the good stuff” child: “miss Geina, I cannot eat this” Me: “what’s wrong with it honey?” Child” I just can’t eat it” Me” let me ck it, (after smelling it),
it seems okay, I think it is good”. This went back and forth for a couple of minutes. Finally the child said,
Miss Geina, I cannot eat this bologna”. Me: “why”. child: “this bologna smells just like my mother”. end of conversation…..i had no idea where to go with it!!! hehe.
Hopefully, you can tell our days are full and fun. Never a dull moment. The babies are so bright and the sunshine in my day. I simply adore each of them.
Time to close this book. I hope you enjoyed this bird’s eye view of our room. With time I will share more musings from my little flock………but not the names……..must continue to protect the innocent! Thank you for the honor and joy of sharing Christ and academia with these wee ones.
Loving the wee ones,
Miss Geina
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Happy 5th Birthday, Amanda!
Today is Amanda's 5th birthday! My baby of the family has now turned 5 years old! What a milestone...only the remainder of this year in preschool before she enters kindergarten! The last of my babies is growing too fast! Truthfully, it all seems like somewhat of a big blur to me. I remember the day she was born as I was sitting on the operating table in the operating room at the hospital, awaiting for the doctors to arrive to prep me for my C-section. I remember the moment as clear as today! It was freezing in that room and I couldn't wait for them to cover me with some hospital blankets or something. I also remember checking the clock on the wall. It was almost 1:00pm. Amanda Summer Williams was born officially at 1:40pm on October 2nd, 2002! Her middle name is so fitting for her personality...she is a definite ray of sunshine in our lives! From her white blond hair to her sunny, smily, bright little personality! Amanda was our surprise baby! And what a beautiful gift she has been to us...I truly never imagined what she would bring to our lives before she was born. But, I thank God daily for the gift of having her in my life! She is my "joy" to love...women from the UPC Women's Retreat this past weekend will know what I mean as I refer to her as my joy to love! ;o)
HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY, AMANDA!!!
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