Quiet

I know I've been pretty quiet here for the past month or so, but some crazy things happened this month and it took awhile to wrap my head around them. Jonathan was doing really well with his job at IBM and suddenly found out that they weren't able to approve the funding for his contract to continue past the 31st of January. We were stunned and unsure what was going to happen next. Jonathan quickly got his resume posted and called a few headhunters that had called him after he started working with IBM. He had a job interview the same week for an android developing job. It was kind of a weird job because they would train him and then find contracts for him for the next two years. We would be nomadic and so he kept looking while keeping this as our plan B if nothing else turned up.

I snuck a photo of him during his interview.

We weren't sure how things were going to work out, but we knew that they would. About a week or so later, he was contacted by Home Depot. They are looking to hire 100+ people for software development jobs in their Austin and Atlanta offices. He had an over the phone interview that he felt went well. Then he was invited to go to an in-person group interview at their office here in Austin. They made it clear in the interview that they weren't competing against each other because they have a lot of jobs to fill, but they wanted to see how they would work together in a group. From Jonathan's description of it, he was simply amazing. He kept the group on track and was able to show potential security flaws in the code that the others weren't able to pick up on. After the interview was over, he was told that he would hear from them either Wednesday (Valentine's Day) or Thursday morning. Wednesday was a rather tense day for both of us. We didn't talk about getting the phone call, but we both wanted it to happen. Unfortunately, the call didn't come. The next morning we were relaxing on the couch and then the phone call came.

He got a job and they were impressed with his technical skills that he showed during the group interview. We were so relieved and excited. Though it wasn't clear if we were staying in Austin or moving to Atlanta, we were thrilled that Jonathan was once again employed. He started filling out paperwork and was given March 5th as his official start date. This past Monday, he got more information about his job. His is a software engineer and he found out what team he is working on (I don't remember...). He will be working here in Austin. (Jonathan is incredibly relieved that we won't be moving again!) They have his first few days planned out and his work laptop and smartphone are already ready for him. It was the perfect anniversary present for us!

While we weren't expecting to go through this, we stayed calm and knew that things would work out because we had faith as well as continued to work to find a new job. I am so glad that we get to continue to call Austin our home and for the opportunities that are here for us.

Bullet Journal

 I finally finished my first bullet journal!

I started using it about a year and a half ago and I have loved it. I keep track of my schedule and various things I care about.

I got my second notebook and I can't wait to fill it up!

Don't Forget!

I love walking past this neighbor's door. I always feel better even if I am sweaty from working out!

Don't forget, you're like, really pretty.

Training to be a Pioneer

Back in October, I started working out. Not long after, Jonathan and I were asked to go on a Pioneer Trek with the youth in our ward. I did a trek when I was about 14 and I almost didn't finish it. The final climb was just too much for me. I had to take a break and slowly finish it. (My bishop was nice enough to stay back with me to make sure I was okay and finished with me.) While I'm excited to go on another trek, I was naturally uneasy about my fitness level.

Sorry it's blurry, but I was running when I took the picture.

I started working out back in October and quickly improved almost every work out. After a few weeks, I decided to use that time to do more than just work my body. I started listening to the General Conference session that was already on my old iPod. Back when I regularly used my iPod, I would listen to a conference talk before doing my homework.

The last time I updated it, it was with the 2010 October General Conference. Even though it was more than seven years ago, I started listening to them. I am hearing messages that apply to what I personally need to do or understand today. One talk that really grabbed my attention is "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One" by President M. Russell Ballard. He focuses on the subtle, but effective ways Satan devices us and we fall into the trap of addiction.

"Remember, brothers and sisters, any kind of addiction is to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent."

 As I listened, I realized I fell in that trap. Now I'm not having any substance abuse issues or anything we typically think of as addictive, but I had a negative train of thought that I felt trapped by. I surrendered myself and felt like there was no way out. President Ballard teaches that the way out of bondage from an addiction begins with real, heartfelt prayer. Now, for most addictions it won't end there, but overcoming addiction is the same as repenting from any kind of sin. I can honestly say that I am doing better than I was even a few months ago. I feel empowered through Jesus Christ and know that while the situation that caused those thoughts has not gone away, I don't have to be held back by them anymore. I'm not perfect in letting it all go, but I am much further along than I was over the past few years. I know that Jesus is ready to help us and we can depend on Him. He truly suffered for His people so that He can succor us. Jesus loves each and every one of us and wants us to be truly, deeply happy. He is ready to help you right now.

Lately

I finally took down my Christmas decorations yesterday.

Well, except for our Christmas trees. I can't take them down! I love them too much and the soft light from them.

The weather keeps going from gorgeous and me keeping the windows open day and night to well below zero. I should have realized that Texas does everything in a big way and that would include weather.

I'm finally getting around to hanging up our pictures, so I guess I should take down our Christmas trees so I can hang up more pictures...

 Anyway, I am going to try to blog more regularly again.

2017 Highlights!

January

Persistance is fruitful!

February

I just know!

March

Finding peace.

April

Senior project is done!

May

Eating donuts at Donut Falls.

June

Swing dancing in Heber City.

July

Patterson Family Reunion in Idaho

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Day Five

Day Six

Day Seven

Day Eight

August

California living!

September

Moving to Texas!

October

New Texas adventures!

November

Spending Thanksgiving with new friends.

December

Adding new traditions to our Christmas.

California

The weekend before Christmas, we were back in California. It was a long travel day! We woke up at 3:30 AM and landed in Sacramento just before noon.

I noticed that as soon as our plane touched down in Sacramento, I immediately felt like I was at home. I was pretty sure though that I would experience the same feeling when we would land in Austin.

That first night, my dad was given a few tickets to see the new Star Wars movie from work. We went with Ryan, Tyler, and Mom. Thankfully we took a nap that afternoon or else I probably would have slept through most of the movie!

I had some Christmas shopping to do and Charlotte was nice enough to go to the mall with me. We almost were knocked over by the wind as we walked there, but it was great.

A big part of the trip was sharing one of my favorite Christmas memories with Jonathan. Going to the Nutcracker. This is Ron Cunningham's final year as the artistic director and for me it will always be the real Nutcracker ballet. I don't know how many times I've seen it, but the first time was when I was 4. Thankfully, Jonathan enjoys going to the ballet. We've already seen A Midsummer Night's Dream and Clara in Coppelia.

On Sunday, we went to church with my parents and got to see my mom give a talk in Sacrament Meeting. Afterwards, we went to Andy's house. I'm sure that the next time I see Ryan, he will be taller than me! We took turns playing the piano. Luckily I still have a few songs memorized from when I was Ty's age. Tyler plays really well especially since he hasn't been playing for very long. Lyla made up a song and it sounded surprisingly good! It was nice relaxing evening hanging out with the family. Before we left, we gave the kids Texas Ranger badges. Within 5 minutes, Kyle lost his badge. Lyla was sweet enough to give him her badge.

The next day we headed back home. It was a really quick trip, but a really good one.

Merry Christmas

May the spirit of Christmas
bring joy to your heart
and happiness to your home.

Love,

BJ and Jonathan

More Exploring

We've been exploring our neighborhood a bit more. We found a nice little park with sand volleyball courts. It's funny seeing cacti without any spines on them.

We once again found ourselves at the Shake Shack! I always get the salted caramel shake. I might branch out and try something different one day, but not yet!

I love the festive cup!

We found a place that has real vintage arcade style video games.

I seriously love this green tile wall! It is gorgeous and the background for our Christmas card this year.

Naturally, the cupcake shop is bright and colorful!

There are still quite a few empty shops and some of them have awesome signs like this one!

We went for a walk on a really misty, humid, foggy morning. Our apartment is in the building on the left in this picture.

This building is so happy and colorful! They've been working on it since we've moved here and I can't wait to see what's inside.

I still need to explore more because I still get turned around in certain places.

Our Longest Tradition

This is our 7th married Christmas and I thought about how we don't have the most traditional taste when it comes to our decorations. I realized that our longest tradition is having non-traditional decorations!

2011

We were so excited for our first Christmas on our own that we did get a traditional Christmas tree and Ryan and Tyler helped decorate it.

2012

I wanted to try something very different. A 3-D cardboard Christmas tree. It was a bit of a pain assembling it, but it's still one of my favorite trees we've had over the years!

2013

We were living with my parents this Christmas and I was in no mood to decorate. I lost baby E a few months before and was still figuring out life without our sweet angel baby.

2014

I loved our paper tree! I still have the paper garland and paper ornaments from that tree.

2015

I reused some of the paper tree to decorate our mantle. The pixel fire kept us toasty that winter!

2016

I didn't get a good picture of our little sparkly blue tree, but I still have it.

2017

Thanks to all the big cardboard boxes from Ikea, we were able to make a colorful forest of Christmas trees! Some days I leave the lights on all day and when Jonathan comes home from work, they are the only light on. Jonathan made my Christmas tree dreams come true once again!

Wake Up Call

There are times in life where goals, though important, are placed on the back burner because there are other more pressing things to take care of. In time, life changes so slowly that those goals just stay in the background. Well, I walked right into that trap.

Thankfully, we got a wake up call earlier this month. While nothing is changing directly, those goals that were quietly simmering are now remembered and we now can give them the attention they deserve. I don't know how things will turn out, but I know we are heading on the right track.

San Antonio

Last month, Jonathan and I went to the San Antonio temple and then explored the city.

We planned on going down to the river walk and stumbled across the Alamo. We should have realized we were close because we were drove on Crocket Street and Bowie Street...

It was lovely walking down by the river. It reminded me of walking along the waterfront in Disneyland, minus the crowds and rides and plus a bit of humidity.

While we were eating dinner, a boat passed by with a wedding party.

My favorite part was seeing Davey Crocket with his rifle in front of a vending machine.

We can't wait to have more adventures in San Antonio!