It Changes Again!

Hey Guys, Its Derek: Well: Dang! That's about all I can say. As it turns out, Life has thrown us another curve ball. I went through several different banks and none of them would back up my student loans because of this rotten economy. I suppose it doesn't help that tuition was nearly 14K and I wouldn't have been working as I went through Medic school. Amy and I will be heading back to Utah here in a while, but for now I think we'll try to enjoy our time here in California. I recently spoke with a past Fire Chief of mine to see if they had any open spots and luckily he agreed to offer me a spot on the department again. Once home, I plan on getting a job, supporting my family and keeping a positive attitude, I'll continue to test everywhere and anywhere that I can attempting to find a professional firefighter job near home, A task that is proving to be really tough but I dare not say impossible. In the past I have competed against more than 600 applicants for one or two positions and I'm happy that I placed 10th overall in that specific example.

In the near future we'll be dragging our family back to Utah with hopes of furthering my education and hoping to make enough money in the meantime to be able to afford Medic school on my own. Yes, I'm quite crushed that I had to leave the program that I've been in, However I'm keeping my hopes and attitude high, No sense in letting it get me down, I guess that's the simple message I'm trying to convey with this post. We're looking forward to what the future holds for us, We have no idea what that is, or what we were supposed to learn from this lesson in moving all the way out to California just to turn around and try to make it work in Utah again however I'm sure that there is a plan out there for us and we'll figure it out in time. See you all sooner or later, Until then, We're going to enjoy our time out here.

A New Chapter

The past few weeks we've had limited access to the internet, We have been staying in limbo with The Greens in Logan. It has been fun and nice, Grandma and Grandpa Green have loved having Brooklynn around.
We blessed Brooklynn in a park nearby after listening to Elder Robert D Hales speak in a Stake Conference locally, It was very uplifting. Blessing her outside was sure fun. Well: Its time for a new chapter in our lives. We are officially moving to San Jose California so Derek can attend Paramedic School at WestMed College. We're pretty excited about this opportunity. Derek will be working with San Juan Fire Department, (Well, I guess he'll be Volunteering, but he's happy to be getting back into the fire action) We will both miss Utah and all that is has to offer us, Hopefully friends and family will come visit us! Seriously, Feel free to come visit us, We'll show you a good time around the Bay Area. Its going to be a long drive.

Derek's Family 4 Generation Picture.
I guess this is one of the bonus's to blessing her outside. (Preparing for the Blessing)

Family Photos

Well its been over two weeks, man does time fly. We went and got Professional photos taken of our new little bundle of joy and can we say they are darn cute! (www.karlykim.com) Thanks Karly, The turned out GREAT! We Love Them!

We are still learning as we go and always try to change our schedules to fit hers as she changes her mind daily. My mom left last Friday and we are still getting by.

Brooklynn in her Tutu.

Brooklynn in Old-School Style Turnouts

Sitting in Derek's Fire Helmet

Our Favorite Family Photo
Mommy Daughter PhotoDaddy-Daughter Photo

So: What's New? We have started to pack as we are moving in with Derek's parents next Saturday and the old plan was to move to California in September so Derek can attend paramedic school in San Jose, but new ideas in the Fire-service locally have presented themselves and now its unsure where we may end up. Well keep you posted on whats happening but until then let the packing begin!

One week.

WOW! Its hard to believe that one week ago little Brooklynn was being "plucked" from her home of 9 + months and being handed to her new Daddy. We're not biased at all, But we think she's the cutest thing in the world! We love being parents and all the challenges that come with it! We were both very nervous at first, and still have our butterflies at times but we are learning as we go and honestly loving every minute of it. No one really tells you how nerve racking leaving the hospital really is, you are so excited to go home and sleep (so you think) in your own house, but driving your new precious cargo home and having to watch stupid drivers around you is so scary. Then you get home and the real nerves set in.

Leaving the Hospital

The first night home from the hospital was quite exciting. For some reason we both had the idea that she'd come home and sleep well.... She didn't.. We were both up with her most of the night, but night after night she has gotten better at sleeping at night after eating.. You don't realize how nice it is to have a nursery that will help put baby to sleep. However, We LOVE having her at home and can't get enough of watching her every move.

4 Generations: Great Grandma, Grandma, Amy & Brooklynn

Grandma and Grandpa Green

She has had lots of family visitors , her two sets of grandparents, and two sets of great grandparents, and they all say she is the cutest.. which is to expect, It's what they all say. Daddy thinks shes cute too, He really can't get enough of her.. When she is awake she loves to just look around and explore her new world, and when she is sleeping she makes the funniest faces.. cant wait for them to start when she is awake and playful. She has had two baths so far, they aren't her favorite, but then again she hates having her diaper changed too..
We love her tons and tons and are excited to see what the future holds for our new family.
My mom has been here to help out around the house and keep me from doing to much..(anything really) but i guess that's what happens when you get a major abdominal surgery, Right? We love having her here, she is a life saver, and a great cook! I am recovering well, and taking it easy to make sure I don't over do it, but feeling pretty good most of the time..
Thanks for all the well wishes and congrats.

Brooklynn is here!

Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know that Brooklynn is here! She was born at 5:17 AM on July 20th, 8 Pounds, 12 Ounces, 21 Inches long. She didn't really fit through my pelvis, so she actually came C-section after 2 and a half hours of pushing and trying to get her here normally. We can both barely express the joy and satisfaction as well as the suddent bit of fear that hit us when she arrives, Neither of us could really hold back the tears. She's Beautiful, Simply put... It's been a long long day, For those of you who may not already know, We were in labor and delivery for nearly 36 hours before the decision was made to go C-Section. We are both pretty exhausted but can't stop watching Brooklynn's every move. We will certainly take more time to post more details and pictures once we get a bit more rest. Until now, Here's a few.
Stay posted for more information, pictures and updates!

I can't wait for this show!

Hey Readers:
Its Derek, Amy and I are currently prepping to check into the hospital for Brooklynn's arrival, Amy, as well as I seriously can not wait for her to come, We are looking forward to being parents, and the challenges that come with it. I figured as I'm killing a bit of time on the internet that I would share with you all something else that I really can not wait for, That is NBC's new show, "Trauma" This is my dream in action, Someday I hope to land a job with San Francisco Fire, These guys portray the dream, and although its not out yet, I really hope the series does a good job portraying what it is that we try to do.



Well, Our next post will probably be baby pictures, Keep checking back and we'll post them as soon as we can! Until then, Watch this video... (Sorry about the ad) I must have seen it a dozen times already ;)

Waiting

Well, Brooklynn is now a week over-due. We thought and hoped that she would be here by now, Apparently she's happy and comfy in my belly. I just thought we would update those of you who are wondering as to what is going on. We went to the hospital yesterday to have a Fetal Non-Stress Test done to see how she is doing, after our Dr. looked at the readings, He called to tell us that Brooklynn is a very healthy baby, That's always good news to hear.

As for this waiting game that we have been playing, If she doesn't come naturally between now and then, I'm going to be induced on Sunday the 19th, We'll post pictures as soon as we get to that point. We're really looking forward to being parents.. Keep posted!