Pure Joy, 2015

Hapar, spring, 2015
Bill is 31, Emma is 30, Jacob is 9 and Abigal is 8.

Bill was eager to meet with Professor Shazad at the university. He even made an attempt to wear a really nice suit.

He hoped that since they were wearing the same suit that Professor Shazad would see that Bill would be an asset for the university.

Unfortunately, even though Bill was a very "strong candidate with all the skills they were looking for" the university chose another candidate.

"Apply again once you have your advanced degree. 

It's very rare for the university to hire faculty without an advanced degree."

Bill thought about applying for the program, but it would be very expensive and a long process as well. He just couldn't see spending anymore years with his nose buried in a book.

So even though the position of a scholar at the university was tempting with it's better hours that would allow him to be home before bedtime, allow them to fire the nanny that spent more time with their children than they did, 

and be able to spend time with the children as soon as they got home from school, instead of just tucking them in at night.

He knew that he would enjoy his position as inventor with the science lab even more. Yes the hours were crazy, but he had a great lab assistant

and he was on the verge of a major breakthrough in terms of building an unbreakable tub, which he couldn't wait to install in his home.

The kids didn't seem to have many problems as they entered into tweenhood. They still enjoyed playing on the roof of the house with their water sprayer.

Yes, Emma had finally convinced Bill to move to the metro. Actually, it was the strange occurrence of a man passing by the house and asking if it was for sale that prompted their move. They made a nice little profit on the sale of the house that enabled them to sign the children up for extracurricular activities. 

Emma was taking them to their various activities on her days off. Abigal was taking ballet.

According to her teacher, she had natural talent and should continue in the art. To Emma it seemed as if the teacher may be a bit blind, 

or using flattery to keep her students. However, she would take her word for it. 

The only thing about ballet class was that Emma didn't fit in much with the other ballet moms. It was mostly mothers that brought their daughters to class. 

The first few weeks, Emma attempted small talk with them, but it quickly became obvious that she was not "one of them". Instead she now politely said hello and goodbye and silently nodded through the conversation, especially since Abigal's principal was one of the ballet moms.

Emma didn't feel much more at home at Jacob's scouts meetings. 

She was surprised that he took to the scouts so easily considering that he would spend most of his time doing homework or his head in a book.

She did enjoy watching her son attempt all things nature as he sought his fishing badge

and ended up on his butt more often than not.

However, the look of pure joy on his face when he finally caught a fish was priceless.