I've been waiting to post this for 2 months now....

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!

I'm so happy I could jump for joy! I am now employed with Sylvan Learning Center as a part-time tutor.  It's not full-time, but it's a start which is all I have felt like I needed since the start of this job hunt.  The director also told me that she has sent my resume to another after school program and would work around my hours completely if they hired me.  How nice of her!!

Things may finally be looking up around here.

For the first time in 2 months, I am going to go sit on my couch, knit, do nothing, and not feel like I have no purpose

P.S. I already go back in tomorrow to start with some beginning things like learning about their IPads and then will sit in on a tutoring session.

P.S.S. Just to get a picture in...Here's a picture from one of Patrick and I's favorite new shows. It's on Animal Planet and it's called "Too Cute"  for obvious reasons!

Time to Word Vomit

Sorry that title does indeed mean no pictures, but if my purpose of this blog is to let everyone who we have moved away from updated than sometimes that means no pics...just a lot of words, but I hope to humor you a little as well.

It's been awhile in comparison to my usual blogging a few times a week.  As always there's a reason.

I've been kinda a mess.  It turns out this whole not having or getting or any hopes of a job thing is rather difficult to handle.  You slowly run out of things to do at home by yourself all day and start to feel pretty darn worthless.  I went from the most amazing student teaching experience with EVERYONE telling me I would get a job quickly to no one giving me a second glance.  There have been tears...and A LOT of knitting.

So anyone feel severely depressed yet?

I'm sitting on the "couch" (aka futon - yes a real couch is in our 5 year plan ;)  knitting away and my phone rings.  Number = unknown.  I'm guessing it's another political phone call, but I thought I would answer it for kicks.
"Hello is Amanda there?"
"This is."
"Hi this is ____ with Sylvan Learning Center.  Are you still interested in a position?"
Amanda say something.  Anything.  YES!  Amanda she is waiting for you to say something.  "Yes".
"Great, can you come in for an interview at 10am tomorrow?"
What?! Tomorrow?! Did they call the right person? She's waiting for a response.  "Yes that would be great.

Once I could put my thoughts together, I also asked her more about the position and it would be part-time tutoring. Tues-Thurs 4-7 and Sat 9-1.  So, this is actually an amazing answer to prayer if I get the job.  Because 1. I would be getting my foot in the door 2. They have kept my information on file for over a month! So they must like me and 3. I could possibly stay here if I do get another job.  It's SOMETHING!  Also with this kind of job I will probably be getting an answer back pretty quick.

God put a few verses in my lap today.  This guy Agur is talking to God.
Proverbs 30:8-9 "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say who is the Lord or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God."

Now, I'm not planning on disowning God anytime soon, but the part of not wanting to be rich or poor.  I love it.  I have to believe maybe God will allow me to get this part-time job to take off some stress, but not let us get too comfortable either.

On Sunday, our church sang "Came to my Rescue." (see lyrics below if you don't know it).  It's an amazing song.  I soaked in it.  God is holding Patrick and I's little home and lives in His hands.  It's a scary journey filled with tears and frustration, but also joy and laughter.

God I think this job could be the one.  I really really would love to have it.  If it is Your will, I pray I get it and I promise I will work my hardest and be thankful for it every minute of every day.

Any prayers are appreciated tomorrow at 10am and for the waiting after!!!! Thanks for reading!!


"Came to My Rescue" - Hillsong United
Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek your face
Lord all I am is yours

My whole life
I place in your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In your presence at your throne

I called you answered
And you came to my rescue and I
I wanna be where you are

In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high

The Weekend My Family Invaded

Sounds like a book title to me!  Maybe that can be my job...but I'll get to that later.  As promised, Thursday night my fam rolled into town.  With only a few trips back and forth from the car we got everything unloaded for the fun to begin.  We began by celebrating mom's birthday (a week late, but I had to get this reaction on camera for myself).

We got her a strawberry cookie jar.  It's super cute and will be perfect in her kitchen.  I knew she would like it.  After a whole lot of chatting, we found everyone a place to sleep and headed to bed.

Friday we finally decided we would go to the free zoo I had heard about.  We didn't have all day since Patrick had class so we thought this would be our best use of time.  Honestly it ended up being one of my favorite things of the weekend and thus...a whole lot of pictures.  It was actually a really big deal that we went because one of the gorillas just had a baby and we got to see it.  People were insane!  They were all fighting for a chance to see it.  This short girl had quite the time trying to steady my camera and push my way in as mama was trying to hide her baby from all the crazies.

Mom and Matthew finally found their real family ;) 

So Mom and Baby are hidden behind the poles.  Baby is clinging onto mom's chest.

This one kept posing for everyone...he was just asking for a picture.

This poor mama had a CRAZY child.  It kept batting at her to play and swinging all around.

Another baby...I believe this one was born at the end of August.  It was soo little.

Want to know who she was talking to? (see below)

Yes...very large kitties...I don't think they liked her by the looks of it.  She disturbed their sleep.

This bird on the exit sign was practically saying, "I dare you"  as it sat above the doors.  You could see poop on the floor.  I am sure there are fallen victims.  

New wave of the future?

My sweet Vanna White...doesn't she make a great model?

The craziest part of this beautiful zoo was that it was free.  What a great place to take your kids.  Sorry Oxbow...we beat you to the ground.

After getting Patrick back to class, taking the fam around town, and going to a local restaurant  for dinner we called it a night and a very good start to our weekend.

Saturday we got going right away to hit the town.  First stop, Navy Pier.

I think "Freak Show"  was a good title for this picture.

The minute you walk up to Navy Pier you see the huge ferris wheel.  After a lot of back and forth the tickets were bought and there was no turning back, no matter how freaked out mom was.

Artsy? I try.

Up Up And Away...BTW notice the headband?  It matches my scarf and is my latest completed project :)

Obviously there is not a shortage of things to do on Navy Pier.  Taken high above from the ferris wheel.

Our beautiful city.

Just showing off my yacht...typical day in Chicago...okay maybe I'm dreaming.

After Navy Pier we did a lot of walking and some bus riding all around downtown.  Here are some highlights of some of the places we went.

I have never seen the bean so busy!

There was a free fashion showing going on.  We thought we would stop in just for the heck of it.  Little did I know my red carpet moment was waiting inside!!!!

I can't lie...I had a lot of people staring at me like I was crazy, but I couldn't pass up the moment!  Thanks goes out to my photographer Patrick Sullivan...I'll bring you to Hollywood next chance I get.

We ended our night with some Chicago Style Deep Dish pizza.  We ended up going to a different place than Patrick and I had gone before.  It wasn't bad by any means, but we did decide the first place we went won us over.

Not the best thing for a messy teenager to eat.

After a very full day that ended in running to catch our bus home, we were all ready to put our feet up for a little R & R.

This morning we took everyone to our huge church so they could enjoy the experience.  Their eyes were huge as they walked in and as the music began to play.  It's not just us!  This church is captivating.

After church and lunch everything was loaded up, the apartment became as empty as before, and the family began their journey back home.  Thanks for the visit Shuperts!  We enjoyed the fun.

As for that job update I promised...I found out Friday that I did not get the job.  It's hard and discouraging, but I have to believe there's a reason.  As I am currently following 3 different Caring Bridge pages and struggling with my own job situation (which I do realize is no big deal compared to these 3 people), I find myself wondering once again why people have to go through hurt.  It sucks and there honestly is no better way to put it.

So now, Patrick and I go back to our quiet home and life.  Going to school and applying for jobs like a mad woman.  For now we are thankful for the good amidst the bad and just keep on truckin along.

A Sweet Taste of Home

As I said in my last post, it was a big weekend.  The Jaeger family came to Chicago.  Patrick and I filled up our meters of giggles and snuggles with the little ones.  I don't think I need to say more, I'll let the pictures do the taking...

Everyone made the Sullivan calendar! Patrick and I posted a video singing to mom on her facebook...it was only a little lot embarrassing.

Thursday we made a stop at "The Bean."  Lakin was much more interested in the "chickens" though. (They were actually pigeons...same difference! haha)

It doesn't get much cuter than this!

Thursday we also made a stop at the American Girl store.  Poor Lakin had such a hard time understanding why she couldn't take the doll out of the box!

This was Friday while Patrick and I were babysitting.  We got her this tutu and she insisted on wearing it immediately.

Man Time

Lovin from sis...she's such a good big sister!

All bundled up for bedtime.

Dora color time

Patrick and Laking were big time play buddies.  She couldn't get enough.

Friday night we said our goodbye's and gave our last hugs after all the fun.  We had such a great time with the Jaegers.  Next on the calendar is my fam that's coming this upcoming weekend.  There is a lot on the to do list in such a short amount of time!  Chicago can't wait for you Shuperts!

Lastly on the job update, I didn't get a call or email from that job interview but on the site that I applied through it still says "in process."  So, I'm having as much faith as possible that I'll get a call soon!!

Hope you enjoyed all the cuteness we got a piece of!  We miss the Jaeger family already!