Queen of the Juggle

Just starting the second week of the new job. Lots of new stuff. Many webinars and webex meetings. I love it. Equipment is here and appears to be working fine. Connected with the new boss. She seems very nice. A former TravelCLICK employee. We had met before, but are pretty much acquaintences. Ironically Natalie brought us together. Can’t believe how over the last 10 years the people I’ve met and worked with have been key in situations as time has passed. It’s all good. It reminds me NEVER to burn a bridge if it can be helped. Hopefully the good job trend will continue. It feels so good to start new things. Really using my mind and learning. Getting the office together too. I’m really happy for that too. Tax time is around the corner, so we need to get organized anyway. Hopefully the numbers will work in our favor.

Received a notice of delinquency from the child support division. I know, I know…Happy New Year to me, right? Gotta love former spouses. What a jackass he is!

My mom also came to us in the last few weeks and let us know she actually wants to have her own life! She has done so much for us. But yeah, she totally deserves to live her life. She’s been doing for us and everyone else since my dad’s death in October of 2007. I’m proud of her strength. I’m proud of her toughness. We’ll be fine…more than fine. She’s got many, many years to live and should be happy, happy, happy. Everyone does.

So the first thing I did was put an ad out on Craigslist. I received over 10 responses in the first 24 hours and I posted the ad at 10p. Brandi was the first to answer. I immediately felt good things about it. She came over on Monday afternoon, and then we decided her first day would be 1/25/10. Unfortunately she got sick and I sort went into a panic. Really there was no need for it. She came and began her first full week on 2/1/10.

Here’s our letter this year…I’ll be the first to admit it’s not fabulously positive, but it’s our life.

Happy Holidays 2009

Hello to all of our friends and family! As 2009 comes to a close and Christmas seems upon us, I am still wondering where the year went. Reflecting back it seems that like many families, this year has been a challenging one for us. I’d like to think that it’s very temporary and it will only get better in 2010. I’m hoping for that, but am happy that just around the corner is a new opportunity for things to be a little better. That’s our wish for all the people that touch our lives.

On to the news in 2009…The holidays were really nice and we had our Colvins here to celebrate with us and ring in the New Year. My mom had the opportunity to go home to Winnemucca for awhile to have a bit of time for herself and well, truth be told, have a little bit of her own life. Kaitlyn and Gillian were with us too, so our whole family enjoyed Christmas together. We just didn’t know that 2009 would be as challenging as 2008…

Into January and February we went with the boys just growing and growing and the girls coming to Reno from Vegas two weekends a month. The arrangement was hard on all of us. All of us were hoping that March would bring some good news from the family court in Vegas. As I finish this piece of our letter, please try and understand our bitterness. We learned in March that Kaitlyn and Gillian would primarily remain in Vegas. Our time was cut to one 3 day weekend a month, Spring Break, ½ of the holiday break and 5 weeks in the summer. I am forced to pay child support after my ex-husband didn’t for 5 ½ years. I also will be paying – Chip will be paying – for health insurance for the girls that their dad didn’t provide either. We are also responsible for all travel expenses.

We found the court to be incredibly one sided. It was amazing to watch my ex husband lie and lie about so many things. I had no idea that he was capable of such cruelty to me and my family. All of this is probably more information than necessary, but the emotion and impact is still pretty raw. The other important piece of this is that we had so much support from so many people behind us. We appreciate all of the support and willingness to help. A few of you joined us in court and wrote letters and that means the world to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This situation has weighed very heavy on us both emotionally and financially. We honestly thought we did the right thing by moving to Reno and finding a better place to raise children. Apparently not. We also had a woman judge. I found that to be interesting that we lost out so badly considering the judge is a mother as well. I didn’t expect to win by a landslide, only to have the girls be primarily with us.

As a result, we’ve felt the financial pinch the entire year, just as did many people have. Please know you’re not alone. The legal fees, supporting several mortgages on properties we have not been able to sell and the upkeep on those properties has taken us to the edge more than once. Hopefully, now that we have new tenants all will be better. We’re hanging on in the real estate arena. Anybody want to buy a couple of houses in Vegas? Both Chip and I are incredibly grateful to be employed, which has enabled us to keep pressing forward in the dark days this year has brought us. Thankfully, because of that we haven’t lost any of the houses. Again, we appreciate all the support we’ve had from our Vegas friends that have shown houses, unlocked doors and made trips over to the houses to help us. With damaged and/or empty property it isn’t easy to navigate. We could not have done it without the help of a key group of people. Your generosity is appreciated and won’t soon be forgotten.

Mom went to Alaska in February to visit a close friend who is terminally ill. Colvins came back to help. I don’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have all of the support that we have. Again, words cannot express how much we appreciate our “village” that it takes to make our life work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The summer brought the girls back for five weeks. What a visit it was! Kaitlyn arrived with the swine flu. All of us in the house did our doses of Tamiflu to fight it. Luckily no one else was ill. It wiped out a week of our visit, which was incredibly frustrating. After Kaitlyn made it through, we made a long list of things we wanted to do before they had to head back to Vegas for school. We did so much and had a blast! From floating down the Truckee River to Tahoe beaches, it was wonderful to experience our area. The girls and I also spent a day in Virginia City. What great memories we created. Those are the ones you want to bottle up and keep right in the front of your mind forever.

Kaitlyn and Gillian started school in August (8^th grade and 5^th grade). Both are doing great. Both are involved in Karate here in Reno and gymnastics down in Vegas. Kaitlyn is in journalism this year and loves it. Gillian is into books and is finishing out Elementary school. Makes me wonder where the time goes. Both are active in Girl Scouts as well. We’re more than proud of them. Now they’re frequent fliers too. They handle it very well considering all the circumstances. Thank goodness for Southwest Airlines!

Another unfortunate twist with the ex husband for us. We learned that he had been downloading photos and some legal documents from our server. Immediately we involved the police and they confiscated 1 of his 5 computers. We’ve just learned recently that although this is not a good thing, it’s not bad enough to have enough to prosecute. Another legal system disappointment. We feel pretty violated but it doesn’t appear that we can do much.

Meanwhile our little guys turned two in September. We celebrated big with ice cream and gifts. The girls were with us to celebrate the big birthday, which was wonderful! They are just talking and expressing themselves so much. Gary is just in love with books and is Mr. Snuggly and is probably the most sensitive. He’s also the “silent bully” and will take one of the other boys down silently while they scream their head off. Ben is more reserved, loves his DVD of shapes and playing with cars. Ben tends to be the quietest. He’s been the latest to talk, but is quickly catching up! Ryan is the most vocal and very particular about his clothing. He likes red and stripes. It’s very funny. He also wants to have the “red cup”. All three boys know their shapes and letters. It’s amazing to watch them learn so much and suck it up like a sponge. Each child is so very different and wonderful. We’ve been so blessed for sure. It’s pretty noisy and chaotic in the house. All three are talking constantly. I think they’ll eat us out of house and home here pretty soon. We’re taking donations…just kidding.

Another bit of news came out way in October, on Chip’s birthday in fact. We’ve kept it quiet until about the last month. Surprisingly to all of us we are expecting! Yep, really. Our LAST child will be born in June 2010. It has taken quite awhile for it to sink in for us. I just wasn’t feeling good and took a test, then another and then a blood test. Yep, nature has taken it’s course. Odd since it was almost 3 years and many painful and disappointing tries before we had success with the little boys. We’re not sure why this has come our way, but here we are. We’re starting again, as I’ve given away stuff as the boys outgrew it. The best part is that it’s just a single so it should be easier. The morning sickness has passes, but I am tired ALL THE TIME. It’s been interesting and fun to watch people react to the news. Like us, many are surprised. It’s all good now, but it took about a month for me realize it really is true. This will be it for us. 6 is plenty. J

Meanwhile, Chip is working at home for Quest Software and that is going well. It’s been about a year and although the company has laid people off, Chip is full of talent and is valuable to the company. Hopefully all will continue on a great path. I’m still at the Nugget Casino and my job still has its challenges. It’s definitely a process. I’ve excelled in my job in the 1½ years I’ve been there. The Nugget has also laid people off in almost all areas. Just like all of the other casinos in the nation, gaming revenues and room rates are down. Not good, but the reality of the economy. Everyone in the Northern Nevada area seems to trim down accordingly. Hopefully it will turn around.

We are hanging in and hanging on for whatever 2010 brings. There is so much to be thankful for…the visits we’ve had over the year form Hortons, The Hollenbecks, visiting with local family on occasion and keeping in touch with Vegas friends. Please forgive me if I’ve forgotten anyone. Our heartfelt thanks and so much love to Fred & Celia and our ‘Nina ‘Nina for their willingness to spend any free moment with the McVeys and making it look simple each morning as I walk out the door and someone is either wailing or demanding their bacon. My mother is a huge help and is vital to our day to day operation. We can’t thank her enough for the loads of laundry, helping with dinner and watching the boys. She makes it look easy too. Some days I wonder why I’m so worn out when I see how well our support system makes it work for us. All of us have felt the stress of the business of life this year but have an amazing group that never hesitates to help. We thank you all by adding one more!

It’s our hope and wish that all is well with you and yours and that the joy of the season is in your lives. Happy Holidays! We look forward prosperous 2010 for our family and yours. Please know that you’re always welcome to visit. Feel free to drop a note if that work better. Both Chip and I are also ALWAYS updating Facebook with photos and statuses. You can search our names to find out. We can be reached by phone at 775-545-1241 or email at sherri@metaforge.net

December has come full on. Fred came in on December 2 and Celia followed 5 days later. Mom went home to enjoy time off. Chip got busy right away putting up Christmas lights. It was pretty cold outside and he was definitely a trooper for his cranky pregnant wife.

Went to Las Vegas for HSMAI, HEDNA and the Expedia Partner Conference the first week in December. It was busy but good. Had dinner with Deann, saw Jenni and did a little Christmas shopping in the evening. Stayed at Palms Place. Also had dinner one evening with Bonnie. Tried to get Kaitlyn several times, but was put on ignore. I guess it’s her age, but it was offensive and finally I told her in no uncertain terms that it was unacceptable. We had dinner Thursday night (Dec. 10), went on to the Expedia party after that and I flew home on Dec. 11. I saw so many people at the Expedia event that I hadn’t seen for years. It was really nice to have the opportunity to talk to everyone. I learned a ton of stuff about social media and online travel trends. It’s really stimulating for my brain and I love it! So much to learn, so little time.

I also checked on the house while in Vegas. Lawn issues of course. Freddie needs to just take care of Sweet Jewel. Oh yeah, after I got home I learned that the faucet is broken and that it’s $300 to fix. Crazy. Brittany and her family moved in fine and all was good otherwise.

We had a snowstorm on the way out of Reno and down to Vegas. Very cold and about 5 inches of snow. It was beautiful to see, but not great travel weather. It took almost 1/2 a day to get to Vegas. Between de-icing and plowing, it was an interesting morning trying to get South. Coming back was a little hairy too. It’s snowed a bit more since then. I love it, but people are crazy when it snows. Here it is the 23rd and the snow is still here. Nothing wrong with that. Boy it’s cold outside!

Gillian has been with us since Thanksgiving and going to Karate. Everything is good and she’s been doing a great job of enjoying all that we have to offer. The little boys just love their “gill gill”.

The boys are just talking up a storm. Ben had his first true haircut on Sunday (Dec. 20). He looks like such a little boy! He can also say “I cannot beweeve it” like the Little Einsteins. Celia told me about it and then I heard him say it. Oh my god! It was SO cute. He’s talking so much more lately.

Ryan is just going to town repeating and saying short sentences. It’s really cool to hear him say “Daddy do it” and “I see you”.

Very good holiday, moved by WAY too quickly. All four Hortons joined us this year for Thanksgiving. That in itself brought much to be thankful for. Mom is here too, which is great. There were so many years that we didn’t spend the holiday together. I wish I could get them back. Since we can’t I can only hope for many more family filled holidays.

Chip pulled the turkey out on Monday to thaw in garage. It certainly has been chilly enough. The hum of the holiday is starting to pick up which is nice.

Hortons arrived late Tuesday. We stayed up too late right away. Before they came in we actually hung up a bunch of pictures on the wall. It actually feels like we live here after almost a year and a half. Wednesday was fairly uneventful at work. Slow day, but managed to hang in. I’m still fighting tired and morning sickness. I’m never sure whether to eat or just wait it out. It is SO not fun. I’ve tried both. It’s bad to eat bad stuff, it’s worse not to eat at all…right?

Thursday morning the girls came in to join us for the holiday. It had been about a month since I had seen them last. It’s always so wonderful to have them come out of the airport. Gillian will be staying until Christmas Eve. Kaitlyn went back today, but will be back the week before Christmas.

Chris and Keith had asked if we wanted to get together for a softball game. So all of us jumped in the car and headed to Joyce’s. The boys were overwhelmed, but it was good. They loved Joyce’s new dog and kennel. Forget the toys, bring on a dog kennel! So we all hopped in the car and headed to a middle school and had a wonderful afternoon. Mom and Joyce had the dogs and watched. Well Joyce gave it one try and knocked it out! Danny and I watched the boys and the rest of us played softball. It was really, really a great afternoon. The boys really enjoyed themselves just running around. No nap and completely out of whack for them, but they seem to just go with the flow. A little crabby in the car and all three fell asleep.

We came home and finished up dinner. This year seemed effortless compared to other years. Cooked the turkey for the first time in my new roaster. Turkey (as warned in the instructions) did not turn brown. Looked a little odd, but it was the most tender turkey I’ve ever eaten. We all agree that the roaster wins, hands down. The additional bonus is that the oven is free to cook other stuff. Mom made an amazing apple pie. She did the lattice top and everything. Beautiful and yummy! We had a delightful meal. Great family with really good conversation. Moments that are special and memorable. I love those kinds of days. I was dragging with morning sickness and just plain tired. Made it through though.

On Friday I had to work…casinos have the worst benefit plan on the planet. Nothing going on and lucky for me my boss is really cool and I came in late and out of the office early. I was thankful to get home early and be at home with the rest of the crew. We watched Four Christmases, which was pretty cute.

Mom had a great idea to head to a craft fair at the convention center so me, mom, Bunny, Gillian, Kaitlyn and Danny loaded up in the minivan and headed to town. The craft fair was pretty weak but had great deals. Mom and I talked to the vendors quite a bit. Great to meet the locals and just talk about all kinds of stuff. I bought a couple of things. Bunny found quite a bit.

Sunday came much too quickly. It was quite a morning. Hortons were getting ready to depart and we were getting the boys and the rest of us ready for a family pic. Now call me crazy, but I really wanted to get a professional family picture with the whole family. That includes 3, yes 3, two year olds. Oh my god, I had no idea just how crazy it would be. Ben wanted nothing to do with being held in any way shape or form. He was just not having it. No one wanted to be confined. Finally they starting taking pictures. The best one we could get of all of us had a big yellow duck in the picture and Ben was crying. It was such a calamity of errors that I finally pretty much gave up. They took well over 100 photos. Girls together, boys playing, Chip and I, all of us…it was a true experience. A 20 minute appointment took and well over an hour. Finally I had to leave because we had to get the boys down for a nap. I did go back right away. Of course like the session trying to get pictures, buying them was no picnic either. They advertise a discount but of course there were so many limitations that it was nearly impossible to get. Eventually all came around and we left after we lightened our cash load by $200. Yep, $200. They will only be two once and it was so good to get the girls and us in various pictures. Well worth it. Time was pushed to the limit on Sunday. I buzzed home and grabbed Kaitlyn and took her to the airport to go back to Vegas. Phew! Every day is like this though. Moving from one thing to another. Some days are better than others.