Charlene

I just wanted to give an update on Charlene...It's been almost one year since she left our home. We miss her, but are glad to be able to keep in touch with her on a regular basis!

Charlene has been going to school full-time and working full-time this term. She's working at an upscale restaurant in Seattle, bussing tables. She was able to earn enough money to pay for her classes this term! Yay, Charlene! She is doing well and has a much needed break until classes start for Summer term the 27th of June. During her short break, she will be flying to New York to visit with her cousin, who has been working there for a while. If I hear more, I will gladly update!

Shhhh....Don't tell the kids!

Since we've lived in Rushsylvania, we've seen about four Barnum % Bailey Circus trains come through town. They're neat to see, and the kids think it's REALLY cool. Through work we were given the opportunity to purchase tickets to the Barnum & Bailey circus at Nationwide Arena for less than half what the tickets are going for at Ticketmaster. We decided it would be fun to get tickets. I bought them and we're not telling the kids. My parents are going with us too. May 14th we'll head to Columbus, the kids having no idea what we're doing. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Spelling vs. Pronunciation

Ok, so something was buggy to me this morning. I was driving into work and I heard an ad on the radio for dishwashers and the man in the ad was pronouncing dishwasher like dishwarsher. It bugged me! There's no "r" it's dish"wash"er not dish"warsh"er!!! I "wash" my car not "warsh" my car, I do the "wash" not the "warsh", and I certainly wouldn't be on the radio selling dish"warsh"ers!!!! Sorry, had to share my bugginess. Proper English is a pet peeve of mine, in case you didn't already know.

I did it!

I did it! I actually did it! I turned in my notice on Friday and it feels good! I know this is the right decision. My boss told me he was prepared to offer me more money and that he would try to talk me out of leaving, but he knows he can't compete with my desire to be at home. He was so sweet and VERY supportive of my decision!! What a great guy! So, it's official, May 20th will be my last day. Lots of work to do before then, but that huge step (leap) of faith has been taken. My fear is gone and I'm super happy and crazy excited!

Panic hit me...

I wrote yesterday about finally setting a date to be done working. Today...panic set in. I'm so worried about how things will work. The security of knowing I'll be getting a bi-weekly paycheck will be no more. Whew...full-on Panic attack today! I keep telling myself this is what I've wanted (and I do, more than anything!). I am trying to remember that you cannot have Faith and Fear together. I guess it wasn't really real until there was an actual end date. Heavenly Father will provide a way, I'm sure. I just hope I can get rid of this panicy feeling. Sorry if I'm driving anyone crazy. I can't say anything to anyone at work so, this is where I'm channeling my need to talk. This is HUGE for me. I've never done anything that has required me to rely so fully on my Heavenly Father, and trust that He will take care of things. I appreciate all your support and thank you for putting up with my DRAMA!

We've decided on a date!

My last day of work will be May 20, 2011. The kids get out of school the 1st or 2nd week of June depending on how many make-up calamity days they end up with; so, that gives me 2 weeks to get things in order at home. I'm going to babysit for Parker and Lexi (2 kids that currently go to our babysitters...Lexi starts school in the Fall and Parker is 3). Lexi and Sariah have been attached at the hip for a few years and Parker thinks Ammon is the coolest thing since sliced bread. I think it will be fun and it will give us a little extra income.

Jason has applied for a Supervisor position at NEX. If he gets this job it will be an answer to our prayers. We honestly have no idea how things will work out financially once I quit. We feel like this opportunity presented itself in perfect timing with our plans and we pray that as we move forward in faith that things will work out for us.

Wish us luck...and a few prayers would be nice too =0)

Tough, but not so tough...

Jason and I have felt for a time now that we need to make the sacrifices and changes in our life that will allow me stay home and take care of our family. I have been thinking a lot about this lately, and I have tried to work through things in my head. I've come to a very clear realization that it doesn't need to make sense in my head, or on paper. More than anything in the whole world I want to be able to make a comfortable, peaceful, environment in our home. I want to be readily available to my children and husband. I want to be the best wife and mother I can be. For many years I have tried to make this happen without being able to give my all to my family. I have fallen short. I've done the best I can, but I have not done it "the Lord's way". I am not as happy anymore. I am stressed all the time, I'm constantly overwhelmed and I can see it effecting my family. I can see it in my actions and in the way I speak to my family. I can see it in my children's actions and in the way they speak to each other and to us. I have failed them and I have failed the Lord. I've questioned and rationalized. Why now? The economy is in the dumps, so many people are looking for jobs...shouldn't I be grateful I have one, and a good paying one at that? Both the kids are in school, why do I need to be there when they aren't? How can I give my children what they want/need if we don't have my income? What about our cars? What if we need to make home repairs? What if Jason gets sick and can't work again? These are all valid questions, but a lot of times "the Lord's way" seems counterintuative. I ask, How can things be better for us if we only have half our income? I can't answer that question; however, I know that we are promised blessings if we choose to do what the Lord asks of us. I have faith that my Heavenly Father will open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings upon me and my family if we choose to follow His plan. Does this mean it will be easy? Absolutely not! It will take a lot of work, planning, and sacrifice, but I KNOW it WILL be worth it! I love my Heavenly Father and I am grateful that He leads and guides me in this life!