Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

Good heavens, where do I begin? The week before last when Nils was at school he heard about a possible website gig. A company in Salt Lake wanted a new website and wanted a student to do it. Nils has been doing a lot of freelance stuff lateley, so he e-mailed the guy and set up an interview for last Tuesday. (He was deathly ill with the runs and puking all day, but went anyway. So glad he did!) He took a portfolio and a sample of a new website he had designed. They started talking about all these other things they wanted done for them, which they were planning on outsourcing. Nils does all of those things either professionally or has taken classes in them. They told him they wanted him to work for them full time. He gave them a salary number, and Thursday they called him with an offer. He'll accept it tomorrow. It's all very sudden and strange, and we're still processing it. The only negative is that we have to move. They were pretty clear with him that it's not realistic to live in Springville and commute to Salt Lake every day and be happy about it. So, we have to sell our beloved townhouse and head north somewhere. We have no idea where we'll live or what kind of house we'll get, but it feels like the right thing to do. He's been with Craft Supplies for almost five years, so this is really a major life change. I'm sad because I have a lot of really good friends here. I love opening my door and having an instant party with friends and neighbors. I'll really miss that.

The next item of news is a big secret, but since no one reads this it doesn't matter. We found out about three weeeks ago that we're having a baby in June-ish. I must say it was a little surprising; I got my IUD out at the end of August. It's taken at least 5 months with our other kids. This one took about 3 minutes. Someone's anxious to get here! Anyway, we're very excited. I've been pretty sick though, and that sucks.

So the above two items are pretty major- we're in for an exciting next few months. I'll try my best to keep writing. I've been feeling pretty darn lazy lately, so no promises!

Update on Life

It's been forever since I wrote. I'm not sure why, exactly. Maybe because Nils is on the computer most of the time when I could write, or maybe I haven't really felt like writing. Who knows? Anyhoo, here's the latest exciting news at the Rasmusson compound:

I got a job working at the gym daycare. It's really the best situation I could ask for in a job. I get to take my kids, and it's only a couple of 3 or 4 hour shifts a week. I'll be working more than that the next month or so, because I'm filling in wherever they need me. I started Tuesday.

Nils is exceedingly busy with school and work. When he's home he's doing homework. Since we see light at the end of the tunnel, we don't complain too much.

We had our carpet cleaned this week. It was disgusting and made me want to vomit every time I looked closely at it.

There's a mystery smell in our van. It stinks to high heaven in there, and we can't find a source. I'm not sure I want to. We bought some Febreze just in case.

Anders and Addie are both doing well. Addie's a little spit-fire. We call her our ice princess sometimes. She's very smart and is figuring things out. Anders is learning how to write his name, and is really into mechanical pencils right now. He loves coloring and playing with Play-doh. Both kids love playing outside with the neighbor kids.

So long!

Catching Up- It's been a while...

Hello world, it's the long lost Nils. I haven't written much lately because I'm insanely busy. I'm currently typing from a borrowed laptop in the Galt Room Hotel in Louisville, KY. I'm here on "business" (that's what all of us drug lords say). I thought I'd do a quick catch up entry since it's been a while. School started- hence my absence. I don't mind school so it's OK. I just wish I had a little more time to spend with my family. Katrina and I decided that I should attend school full time until I'm done. At this rate, I'll be pretty much done by this time next year. It will have been 11 years since I started at UVSC. I rule. I'm excited at the prospect of finishing, though. I see change in my future. Katrina and I talk a lot about ambitions and goals and potential and we both feel that I'm headed for something better in the next couple of years. I'm doing some websites on the side right now and I feel like I can earn some decent side money from them if I keep at it. I have a few names in mind of people that I could contact to see if they're interested in having me do a website for them. I finished my first paid site for a guy named Mike Mahoney (www.bowlmakerinc.com). My brother helped me but I think it came out pretty good. I'm working on two more right now. One is in exchange for my old amplifier (I sold it and am now trading it back for a website). The other is for $750. I'll keep upping the price as my skills increase because I think I produce some pretty good work, if I do say so myself. Perhaps my many years of classes and dinkin' around are starting to pay off. That's what I can see myself doing after graduation, though- working for a larger company doing website design for more money. I have been with Craft Supplies USA for 4 years and I have always enjoyed working there but the winds of change are arriving, in my opinion. In the words of a song by someone I don't know, "We were meant live for so much more." It's true.
Anyway, I'm taking Web Languages, Web Design, Interaction Design and Senior Projects. They're all pretty time consuming and I'm doing an OK job so far. We'll see how well I hold up through the semester. I plan to attend my first (and last) summer semester immediately following this semester so we'll see how that goes, too. Should be a blast.
While I'm blogging, I want to express my thanks. I have so much to be thankful for. Topping my list is my wife. She's the best. She supports me and pushes me to go further, be better, live up to my potential. She does this without being demeaning or condescending, which is tough to pull off. She's just good for me, and good to me. Her cooking is the best on Earth, her mothering skills are unmatched, her kindness and consideration towards others is inspiring. To top it all off, after 10 years together, I couldn't be more attracted to her. I'm sure she's sick of me but I think she's the hottest thing on two legs. In case you're wondering, I don't think that there are hotter things on four legs or anything-- that's just gross. So what I'm trying to say is that I'm one lucky son of a gun to call Katrina Rasmusson my wife.
Not only do I have Katrina but I have these two adorable little kids that are ours! Anders is a funny, happy, kind little guy that I love to spend time with. I can't imagine my life without him and he really makes me want to be a great person and an awesome dad so that he can have a lifetime of excellent memories with dad. Then there's Addie. She's got me wrapped around her finger. I call her my little potato because she's so small, but she can make me smile from the inside out. She's cute and funny and temperamental and feisty and sweet and earnest all at the same time. She tries hard to learn new things, say new things and do what the big kids do and she gets frustrated when she can't. But sometimes she gets in a silly mood and just cracks us up.
We have a nice little home, two working cars, a good job, friends, family, health, the Gospel, our education and so much more. Hopefully we can one day contribute as much as we've already received. I'm reading a book right now called First Things First by my man Stevie Covey and his homies. I'm not too far into it yet but I'm already seeing the importance of living your life based on importance rather than urgency. I hope I can improve on that and live up to my potential in the most important areas of my life.

Thinking Positive

This week we sort of stumbled into the secret of life. Listen closely, because this is it: Positive thinking. It's a long story, but we were given a movie all about the law of attraction and how to get what you want out of life, etc. This week we've been trying to think positive and make goals. Supposedly when you do this, opportunities open up, ideas come to you and all your wildest dreams come true. It may sound as if I'm being sarcastic (I am a little) but I actually believe it. If you focus on only negative things, those are the things that are persistent in life. If you focus on positive things and are thankful for them, those are what persist in life. Anyway, we've been devising ways to get rich. I realized I have a billion articles of Anders' clothing stuffed in his closet, dresser, etc. that are too small. When he was a baby, I actually shopped at name brand stores for him, so I've got tons of stuff that's quite sellable. I got it all out today, and what an overwhelming task. Sorting, sorting, sorting. Our bedroom is completely covered in clothes. We put a few of Addie's old things on ebay, hopefully they'll sell. It's all cute stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to get to all of Anders' things. I can't believe how much there is. The kid isn't even 4! I'm sure there's more to write about, but I'm pooped. Bonsoir.

Moab

We went to Moab this last weekend. Most of my family went for a family reunion of sorts. It was fun. We stayed in this crappy house called the Watermelon House; basically a really old, triple-wide trailer decorated with garage sale finds resembling watermelons. It sleeps around 20 people, so we all fit just fine. We went to Arches, which I've decided is my favorite National Park of all, Canyonlands, and drove down the Colorado River to Castle Valley. We were able to hike the Delicate Arch trail while Grandma and a couple of sisters stayed with the kids. Everyone had a good time, which is saying a lot for my family spending 3 1/2 days together. Check out the pictures on our website, www.nilscreations.com/nilsandkatrina, and you can even take a tour of the Watermelon at www.lazylizardhostel.com. I promise you'll love it. It makes it look way nicer online, but don't be fooled! We stayed on the upper level. Totally sweet.

In other exciting news, Nils came home from work yesterday feeling sick. We were pretty much out of food, so he ate manicotti and dehydrated mangos for lunch. He says the mangos made him sick. He was sick all night at school, too. When we got home he got Addie out of the van and proceeded to vomit all over our sidewalk. It was really disgusting. He threw up a lot. I thought about calling our HOA president to come clean it up, but you know, I probably would have just been yelled at. Anyhoo, he was totally fine after he puked. Funny how that works.

HOA Revolution!

We got a flier on our door about a week ago stating that our doors would be painted on a certain date and time, and we were to be home to allow the painters access, etc. That day was today and yesterday. The painters painted 7 doors yesterday. The doors were being painted red and yellow; one door red, the next door yellow, etc. Kind of a golden, iradescent yellow. Disgusting. The exterior of our buildings are grey/taupe, earthy tone. The doors have all been black up to this point and look simply smashing. Since we're part of a home owner's association, and no home owners actually remember voting on drastically changing the appearace of our homes, we started a revolution. I opened my door to the painter this morning at 8:30, and told him I didn't want my door painted. I knocked on several other doors and told them not to let their doors be painted. We called our management company, HOA president, and knocked on doors to get people riled up. Apparently our HOA president and one guy at the management company decided to paint the doors these wretched colors without telling anyone. Excuse me? Is Ronald McDonald taking over here? We all met out on the street this morning, HOA president, management company guy, and a mob of angry homeowners. It was fabulous. The HOA president acted like the victim, crying that no one appreciates all he does for us, blah blah blah. The moron from the management company tried to patronize us by "explaining" that this is how it works, and this is how government works, too, stupid-stay-at-home moms. We explained to him that in government there are checks and balances, thanks. Long story short: our doors are staying black.

Thank you, and remember to FIGHT THE POWER!

My Friend the Freeway

On my way to the gym today, while on the freeway, the car in front of me swerved out of the way. Out of the way of what, you ask? Why, a mattress. I didn't have time to swerve, so I hit the mattress. It got stuck under the van so I had to pull over. Hmmm. Me, the kids, the freeway- it's all sounding familiar, don't you think? I got out to assess the situation, and the mattress was stuck under my van. Then I smelled smoke. I turned off the vehicle, got the kids out, and waited for it to blow up. Springs were everywhere. About 2 minutes passed and a highway patrolman stopped to help me. He assured me the van wouldn't blow up, so we all got back in, and he was able to shimmy the thing out somehow after about 10 minutes. Holy crap. I'm not driving anymore. Some moron is probably looking for their mattress right now- I hope they have to sleep on the floor for awhile.