First Job Interview!!

Sam has successfully completed his first, full-time job interview!!!

{To answer  your question: Sam graduates in April-ish--depending on when he finishes his thesis--and this job would start after that}

Here is the gist of the story (according to Missy)

When summer started we decided we should make a list of companies that Sam would like to work for as a career. Then, about a month ago we decided to look into specific jobs. Sam found and applied for a job that he was really excited about right away--it was at a place called MathWorks--they make MatLab (a computing and scientific software--along with other software). He would start out on the EDG program and then pick an emphasis in the company after a couple years. Sam's work experience and interests really lined up with this job posting-- like they were essentially identical. Which is HUGE in his field and really hard to find something that interests you and that you are qualified for.

Three days later he got an email from HR wanting to do a phone interview!!! We were soo suprised!! That was fast. So a few more days later that happened. Then the next morning he got another email saying that the engineer liked her notes and wants to have a technical interview in the next few weeks!! 

Fast forward a few weeks and Sam had a technical interview with a lady. Then the next morning (or maybe a couple days?) he got another email from an EDG manager saying that he liked the notes from Sam's previous interviews and would like to have a phone interview! Sam made it to step 3!! At the end of this phone interview the manager said that they would like to get him out to the office!!!

Let me say, I am a proud wifey. He worked sooo hard for this moment!!--seriously we easily put in 20 hours prepping for these interviews: reviewing math problems and concepts, coming up with situations for those HARD interview questions.

^^On our way to the airport^^ 

We decided to have Sam wear his suit so it wont get a crease in it if we were to put it in the carry-on. But might I add that Sam looks soooo good in a navy blue suit!! We spend ALL summer looking for one what was really nice, on a supper good sale, and one that we liked--and it paid off!!! 

I dropped him off at the airport at about 9:00 am and after having a connecting flight in Phoenix, AZ--he arrived in Boston at 9:30pm. Wowsers!

Then the next morning, Friday, he began his whiteboard interview, behavioral interview with a hiring manager, lunch with people on the EDG team, a quick HR meeting (they told him they don't make offers in person) to go over benefits, moving package, etc... Then he was off to the airport and arrived in SLC at midnight. Talk about a quick trip! Sam absolutely LOVED it out there!! He loved the work environment and everything he learned. He said our preparation really paid off and helped him in his interview. I also noticed as he was telling me the details how much the Holy Ghost really helped him out!!

Too bad it was a Friday that he interviewed cause 1-2 business days last longer when it hits a weekend.... but on Monday afternoon they said that they though he did really well and would like to move to the next step!!! Seriously, it's been an intense and exciting month!!

So then that week Sam did the background check and his professors got contacted about references (he gave them a list a few weeks prior) !!

Then, on Friday September 4th, 2015 HR called Sam and said that since it was going to be a long weekend--they wanted to let Sam know that they are going to be giving him an offer the beginning of next week!!!

WAHOO!!!!!! Seriously. This whole thing is soo amazing to us! We honestly feel sooooo blessed in many ways!!!! Sam's (and mine) dream is coming true!! Just having an offer is soo comforting. We really can't believe that Sam's first full-time job application (and lets be honest--it's the only one so far because nothing else compares and there is not much time) led to a full-time job offer!! By-golley, this is so surreal!!

Stay tuned for if we accept it or not and if we end up moving across the country to the east coast to Massachusetts!! 

We're Having a Baby Boy!!

After a long wait, much anticipation, a roller-coaster of emotions, we couldn't be more excited to announce that we have our little miracle baby coming this winter!!! :D

^^It only took us about five tries but we finally got this awesome shot on the 4th of July! Thanks to Sam for his photo skills! Missy (B) Justin (A) Cami (b) Alex (y)^^

I am due December 30th-- a very exciting time of year!

^^15 weeks--I was barely showing, my pants were tight or not fitting at all, but this is when people started to comment on my baby bump when I was working in the temple. For some reason my temple dress made my baby bump look a lot bigger--and I loved it!!^^

^^17 Weeks^^

^^20 Weeks--when we were up at Heber Valley Camp @ the Flink Family Reunion^^

 ^^How we announced on social media ^^

Sam started to feel baby kick when I was almost 21 weeks. The first time I really felt baby kick all the time was when I was in the temple and it made the experience just that much more divine and wonderful!!!

^^When I was 22 weeks pregnant^^

I am going to be 25 weeks pregnant this week! and I have the cutest baby bump!! I love it!!

Expecting has been such a blessing to our family! Not just in the sense that we're having a baby! but also how this experience has been able to lighten the times of life that are hard. Let me explain:

Sam has been wearing a lot of hats lately! Not only is he working at being a great husband has been so busy prepping for a full-time job offer after graduation, doing his calling in a YSA bishopric (it's time consuming getting people to speak on Sunday when 1/2 of the ward is in the middle of vacations and moving out!), doing his research | thesis--and being a good team member and meeting those goals and deadlines, prepping for interviews at MathWorks (more coming on that later), starting his first CS class, taking a ME class, being a temple worker for 5 hours every Wednesday (we love love love working in the temple!), Sam's brother, and being a TA. All great things and we don't want to give any of them up but man, it's a lot on ones plate!!

Even among the chaos-- Sam is still placing being a father as one of his greatest priorities! 

We love going to my OBGYN appointments and hearing baby's heart beat!! And those ultrasounds are one of the greatest things ever invented!! Just seeing baby move and interact and do all of those cute things babies do--just melts my heart, and feels me with one of the greatest feeling ever! The way Sam responds is so priceless!! 

When Sam gets really stressed or can't sleep--he just puts his hand on my belly and baby will move and Sam just gets so filled with JOY!! I love watching Sam bond with our baby--he talks to baby all the time, and plays with baby when i'm sleeping. It's amazing that when Sam wants baby to move -- he does!! 

I can just see the stress and worry melt away as baby turns and rolls over and Sam feels him. It's all so heavenly. My heart feel like it's about to burst! Baby has already brought so much joy to our family!!!

It's not too much work lately-- but we love being parents! It's amazing thinking of myself as a mother. I love feeling the responsibility of being trusted to care for one of His spirit children, I love creating a human--our child!!, I LOVE feeling just that much closer to the veil. I love getting to know babies kicking patterns. I honestly love being pregnant!!

My heart goes out to those who are still waiting for their little miracle. I know our wait wasn't as long as many others and my heart still aches for them. Keep trying--it'll all workout.