Week of Endurance

I got to have a great time working a whole week from 5:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. for five straight days. It was hard. Getting up on my mission wasn't this hard that I remember. Oh well I will live I suppose. Now the next week I am working mostly afternoon shifts.

Nett is trying to stay on top of everything but little Levi can be quite demanding of her time and attention. He finally spit up on me for the first time this week. My parents would just laugh and say payback is nice isn't it but I don't think Levi is going to give it to me like I gave it to them. Atleast we hope not.

Nett had a chat with her bosses and co-workers to determine how she should come back to work if I am not hired at a new position that pays better in the next two weeks. They have been really good to her and are looking forward to her return, although her staying home would be bitter sweet due to the friendships she has made there. I might also note they are allowing her to come back part time so Levi will always have someone home with him.

Our bishopric was changed today. The stake president gave a 30+ minute housekeeping talk, boldly admonishing our ward to; stay away from gossip, observe the baptismal covenants mentioned in Mosiah 19, bear true testimony and quit giving travel/health,love,thankimony logs to the ward. He actually explained a good reason for bearing testimony and not doing those other things. It was something I had never considered. It was like a Zone Conference where the mission president gives it how it is to the missionaries. I walked away feeling that I could try harder to be a better person. He also told us to read the lessons for church and to follow the manuals. They were printed and published in this manner for a reason.

Then we got to the new bishopric. They were called of God to serve in this capacity. I am excited to see what they can do for us as a ward.

Our elder's quorum is planning a trap shooting activity. I have the shot gun and I am rearing to go. Hopefully work will cooperate and give the day off I need.

It appears that our family is in for some big changes here pretty soon. Work and with the changes in our ward and with Levi here we are going to see that goes.

I am beyond tired

This last week was very abnormal for me. Or pretty much typical. Work is letting many people go on vacations and that leaves the rest of us to fill in the gaps they create. I got stuck working in the cafeteria for the whole week. I liked having the weekend off but I am not digging the 5:00 am wake ups. And I still have one week to go.

On the topic of work, I got passed over for another promotion. I didn't even get an interview with my own bosses this time. I don't know how this other employee will work out though. Should be real interesting. I also have had a phone interview with a clinic managed by the same company I already work for. The interview went well and I am hoping they will call sometime this week and want another interview in person this time.

We also had a wonderful visit from my Aunt Karen and Uncle Val. They were in town for the week and we got to see them. We had a nice visit where the entertainment was provided by a squirrel trying to jump from the tree into the bird feeder. He kept looking and looking before he finally got the guts to go for it and he enjoyed a good meal.

We also got a visit from Lynettes brother Robert and his family. We had a great dinner and then walked to a nearby park where Spencer played on the playground and we talked. For the 24th I had to work part of the day so we ended up down at Mom and Dad's for a BBQ. It was good.

Backing up to last Sunday, it is a tradition here at Weber State to have a concert and a fireside to kick off the Ogden Pioneer days. The concert consists of a local orchestra playing classical pieces and then ending the concert with Tchikovsky's 1812 overture with cannon fire. Then at the end of the show they shoot off fireworks. I went to this event when I was a kid with my folks and then I have gone since I lived up here. Lynette and I took Levi up this year. We got good seats and enjoyed the show very much. Levi didn't like the cannons and fell asleep during the fireworks. Oh well.

Events Traditions and The American Way

Our clan has had an eventful few weeks. So I will back up and start with the good old Fourth of July. I can't recall my family having any solid traditions in our celebrating the birthday of the USA. I do know we have usually set off fireworks. That is all I remember. So with a family of my own I want to start some of my own traditions and things. So I thought that over the last two 4ths that I would do it in the American Way; steal somebody elses.

I have some great friends, who every year get together and spend the day at Layton City's celebration of the 4th of July. We all got together at the Groneman's house and had breakfast. This annual feast is incredible. This year, at my wife's suggestion, I bought Derek, Steve, and myself a T-shirt we thought was funny. And it was. We all wore them together.

The women (our wives) were talking about babies, as Lynette just had one, Tawni is going to have one and Vanessa is contemplating.

The next event happened the next day. We were able to have all of Nett's family come with most of my family and some friends to bless Levi. We were very worried because we were going to have lots of people at church and although it was a holiday weekend the place was going to be packed. It was but almost everything worked out ok. Levi started to cry during his blessing, but calmed down long enough for us to take the sacrament. Then all hell broke loose. I spent the rest of Fast and Testimony Meeting out on the church stairs trying to calm the boy down. He would finally get close to calm and then scream again. Turns out he was hungry, the one thing I couldn't help him with.

We had a great meal afterwards while the kids got to go and play on the playground. We got to visit with our relatives, take pictures (I don't have them yet) and just relax.

Shortly there after our next adventure took place. I went to work for a few days and felt really sick. I called in on wednesday and went to the doctor. Turns out I was positive for the flu. We caught it early and we were able to treat it promptly. So I didn't get to bad but it was scary for a bit. It was very contagious and with the little boy in the house we had a lot of work to do. But Nett just rolled up her sleeves so to speak and took care of us. She is great for that. Normally I help a little with Levi. But I wasn't able to be near him. I wore a mask and everything if we had to be in the same room. But by God's grace neither he nor Nett got sick.

And for the last thing. I was itching to go and buy some music. I like listening to may types and have some of almost everything. I had enough birthday money left to go and buy one cd. I went to Target and looked for a while at several different cd's. I had it narrowed down to a choice between 2 cd's and I was having trouble picking. I stumbled upon a cd that Nett wanted. I grabbed it for her and then grabbed mine. So I spent more than I should have but it was worth it. When we got home I told her I was going to put the new cd in the cd player. She asked what I had bought (for me) and I answered Led Zeppelin. When Yanni started playing instead of Led Zeppelin she was surprised and gave me a kiss.

She enjoyed the concert associated with the Yanni cd and wanted it. But concert prices are outrageous. So we opted to wait. And Nett got a surprise. I enjoyed the concert. Good music even without electric guitar.

First Month

Our first month has gone by pretty quickly. Nett and I are discovering the joys and pains of parenthood. I think it is good to see our parents laugh a little realizing that we are now in it for the long haul. Levi is now growing and being our new little guy. He is constantly smiling at us and makes wonder on occasion what he is thinking about. On second though maybe I don't want to know. We are really looking forward to his blessing on Sunday.

I have to laugh. I think as men we try so hard to get the girls to notice us. And despite our best and worst efforts it seems to us that they never do. Or so we think. My wife keeps confessing she noticed me way earlier than I thought. Now that we have Levi, he is a chick magnet. Of course the girls notice him and not my wife or myself. And I am fine with that.

He is good and sleeps during the night and doesn't cry or fuss very much unless he is being awoken by a cold wet wipe to clean him or if he gets really hungry.






My sister got some good pics of him. I only put in the two. He is very happy and I like the one where he is sneezing. He sneezes a ton and got me in the face the other day. I got of easy. He gives Nett presents and showers.

Of other note, we got to take a tour of the new temple in South Jordan. It is very pretty and is unique for me. I liked the ring motifs and also the abundance of glass to make the temple more open. The tour was wonderful. We took Levi, and he got us a free ride on a golf cart to and from the car. He slept through the baptistry but was awake for the ordinance rooms, celestial room and the bridal prep room or whatever it is called. Then we topped it off with a good fish dinner (I cooked it) and some burgers.

I have to say I hate our car. It has been nothing but problems for us for the last six months. First the fuel pump, then the air conditioner and now who knows what. Thank God for good friends and family who help us. You know who you are and I am grateful for you and not that car.

Oh to end on something a little more humorous. The other night Lynette and I decided to watch a few more episodes of the A-Team. we are watching the episodes in order from season 1 to season 5. We are about 2/3ds of the way through season 2. Anyway I had Levi and I was trying to burp him or something and I ended up lying down with him on top of my chest. He had his head turned and he was watching some of the show with us. He fell asleep to heavy machine gun fire and the famous words "I love it when a plan comes together."

He's Alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have had a very eventful month. But the most recent days past have been the best. So we have a larger family now. Levi Nicholas Hancock was born on May 18 at 7:05 am. He was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 19 inches long. He is doing well.

I have really come to appreciate my wife even more. Going through the process of pregnancy and birth with her has been amazing. She is such a trooper. It had been hard because I feel that in a marriage that the partners should try to do things equally. I haven't been able to do much of anything to help with growing this kid or even getting him here. The process of delivery is a miracle in and of itself.

Thankfully mom is doing well and baby is getting better. He contracted an infection shortly after birth and wasn't breathing very well. But thankfully our prayers were answered and all of the staff at the hospital has been very helpful. He is doing very well.

I flashed him with the camera about a half an hour after he was born and he squinted and started squirming. He is a great little boy and has been calm and peaceful. He came out eyes wide open and was just enjoying the ugly view of his father. He got to visit with mom and with his grandparents before they took him over to the nicu (neonatal intensive care unit). But he is doing well and has progressed well. Now for the medicine to finish working and we can take him home.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So welcome here son,

Love Dad

I forgot to post a little story that happened to us. They announced a few weeks ago that our ward was going to have a chili cook off. I didn't know what to think because our ward is a geriatric ward. Lots of old people with lots of health problems. I didn't quite know how to take it.

But my mischievious nature took over and I got my wife to enter me in the cook off. Now for the confessions. I have never made chili. The closest I ever got was opening a can. So I had no Idea what I was doing. Confession number 2. I love spicy food. To me chili should have a kick. I wanted to make some real chili and enjoy myself. Nett was worried because if there were left overs than she would have to eat some. Spicy food and her "medical condition" don't get along very well.

In the end it worked out very well. I gave it a small kick but not too bad. Nett liked the flavor and I won the spiciest chili award (my original goal anyway). My certificate and ribbon are on the fridge. And the best part was my chili was the first to be devoured by the ward.

The Ramblin' Man

So we begin again. This last month has been, lets say busy. First off my diploma finally came in the mail. I have been kinda expecting it for a while but you know colleges are slow. They do not ever practice what they preach.



Going along with that. I have been searching for a job for the last 6 months. Ever since i finished my final class in October. I had to wait until January for the school to post my diploma as earned on my transcript. But BooYah! I finally made it.



The market in my field was bleak before this whole economy imploded upon itself. Thanks alot Bill. Now it is even harder because most places are on a hiring freeze. So they post jobs, have an internal hire/promotion and leave the rest of us in crappy jobs.



So about my job.... it sucks. I was told for the first time in my life that being honest is not the best policy. Allow me to elaborate. There was a new position opened that had never been before in our facility. It gave me an hour cut but there was no weekends and no early morning shifts either. I went for it. I was told that the position was given to someone else because I am too honest. That was what they said! I think blunt would have been the better word to use but hey that is why they are where they are.



The search for work in the state has been bleak to none as of late. My wife wants to stay close to home. I want to as well. I have applied for many jobs and had 1 interview. I got turned for a management job for someone with no management skills or education. Geniuses!



I can be grateful we both are in good health. Nett continues to grow and prepare for May. She is finally having back pain. Our unborn son enjoys kicking and punching her every opportunity he can. He probably has UADHD. That is the same as ADHD but in the uterus. We are trying to get stuff ready so when the kid arrives soon he will have a place to stay.



We are going to have to move most of our books down to the folks basement and rearange the furniture. The guitar stuff stays in the room but I don't know if I will get to use the loud stuff because he will be sleeping.



My health is improving. I can play basketball, however I am slow and sore. This comes with the territory of recovery from surgery. I was excited that the doc gave me a clean bill of health and I don't have to go see him for anymore follow up visits unless something goes wrong.

I finally got a calling in the ward. It was an informal visit and I am going to be teaching Elder's Quorum. I am happy because I love teaching. It should be a great assignment. Nett is no longer serving in the primary and was sad to leave. Now she is the pianist in Relief Society. She likes it and plays very well.

Chau until next time