Our Mac Pac: Once again...God is Good

A few months back the staff at Napa State Hospital were informed there would be some "Reductions in Force" to help with budget issues through the Department of Mental Health and the state. John was given a letter informing him that he, among 40 other psychologist, was considered "surplus" even though there was already a shortage of psychologist at the hospital. They initially heard there was going to be 13 cuts, but rumors suggested maybe only 10. The hospital release the rankings based on seniority (which is how they decide who to "reduce") and John with his two other friends from internship were 9, 10, and 11, meaning if only 10 people were cut, two would be gone and one to stay. They are all very close and the fact that they were going to be split the way they were was frustrating. We kept praying that whatever God's will was would be done. If he wanted John to stay at Napa where he was just promoted to a position he loved, where he felt less stressed, and was actually able to get off work at a reasonable time, and gain the experience he was wanted, then wonderful. However, if he wanted John somewhere else whether starting private practice or who knows where, it would bring a lot more stress and unknowns for us, but we knew it was what was needed. It was difficult knowing that he could easily lose a job that he loves after 10 years of college and 2 years of full time training. The fact that he might not have a job was scary.

But like we said above, once again God is Good! On Tuesday they had an "emergency" meeting to let the psychologists know that there will be no reductions! This brought tears to our eyes as we were so thankful for God allowing John to stay where he is for now. We know that Napa isn't his long-term (we don't know how "long" is defined in this case) plan, but it's what we need at this time to get John the experience he needs in a place he loves. Hurray!

Life in the past month has been quite busy for us. There were 3 weekends in a row to Nevada for John and 2 for Shani. We then were in Hayward the next weekend for Shani's chiropractic seminar. These weekend schedules have made it very difficult the first couple nights back for Landon. However, the past week we've actually had a pretty consistent sleeping schedule with him. Yes, he's still getting up twice/night but they tend to be at the same times so we are getting used to it. Shani's seminar was all day Saturday which made it rough for John to find things to do (in Hayward) with Landon between naps and meeting Shani for lunch. He also had the great adventure with Landon back at the hotel. Landon managed to poop 4 times and only make it in his diaper once! It was a rough morning for John. The rest of the weekend went better for them. We did our routine stop in Berkley on the way home to grab lunch at a French take out hole-in-the-wall we really like, then it was Sunday night already. Another weekend away and another weekend gone just like that.

Yes, that's poop on Landon's nose

This past weekend was nice to be home. It was so HOT though. We were in the 90's both days. A week earlier it was hailing and chilly and now we are frying. We had Michelle and Anthony (Landon's babysitter and her husband) over for dinner Saturday night so John could finally meet her. He cooked his amazing Beer can chicken on his new charcoal grill. He's been wanting one for awhile and we finally decided for his "Father's Day" present he could go buy one. Definitely not the best idea to cook a meal for guests on a new grill for the first time. It turned out great, but we didn't have our timing down. We look forward to BBQing more this summer. On Sunday we headed to Southside Park in Sac for an Earth Day festival. Shani's Holistic Moms group was hosting a booth there. Again, it would have been a great day if it weren't so dang hot. We just aren't used to it yet. Hopefully next year it will be a tad cooler.

Earth Day

Now for a little update on Landon:

14 months old

23 lbs

Size 5 toddler shoe (yes big!)

Getting a curl to his hair

Starting to babble more, but still our quiet boy. Has a few words and will attempt others when asked

Signing still like crazy, probably 20 words at least as well as putting them together (more food please)

Asks to go outside, calls to the blue birds, then asks to open the garage, goes into the garage to the refrigerator, gets the container of worms off the shelf, walks to the bird food dish (calling the birds as he goes) and then asks to be picked up so we can feed them. It's so adorable!

Continues to LOVE being outside

Enjoy some pictures from the past couple weeks!