Life Has Definitely Been In Progress

A month ago today I said goodbye to 10 years of familiarity.  I must admit, I was completely ready to go. I heard it was asked if there were tears. Nope, no tears.  Why would there be?  I didn't say goodbye to my friends because, well, they are my friends! No need to say goodbye, just a "talk to you/see you soon"!  It was a nice excuse for us to all get out though and raise a few glasses!  Thankfully not too much has changed in that regard.  Although it's a bit different, I still see and talk to my pals(perk of the new job). My new job has been going really well.  Definitely an adjustment (can you say 6am conference calls?), but a great one!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that I have absolutely no commute.  I love all of the perks my new job provides.  Besides the comfort of being able to spend so much more time with my kids, and the flexibility my job provides, the salary increase can provide so much more for my family.  It's funny knowing you're being screwed over, but not really knowing how badly until you look elsewhere.  Two words, HOLY CRAP!  I had no idea just how underpaid I was until I started looking and interviewing elsewhere.  I seriously would have to stay where I was until I retired with the measely yearly increases to receive what I have now learned is my going rate.  Insane. I feel like I'm really contributing to my family now.  I contributed in numerous ways besides monetarily before, and my job and the salary I brought in was appreciated.  But, I really feel like I'm an equal contributor now if that makes any sense.  It's a good feeling.  The craziness of starting a new job, family priorities, and events have kept my plate full.  Add to that the kids have been sick off and on, and the month has flown by!  I have a lot of pictures and updates, and am hoping to get them up sooner rather than later.  Thanks for sticking with me!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

 

I GOT A NEW JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew!  Feels good to finally say it!  Besides family and  close friends I had to keep a lid on it.  I've been with my current company for ten years.  Ten loooooong years.  I started at my company pre-babies, pre-hubby.  Looking back, I was just a child myself!  Funny how much life can change and how much you can learn in ten years time.  All I can say about leaving, it was time to go.  Have you ever stayed somewhere just because it's comfortable and what you know?  Even if you know the relationship is heavily one-sided and you aren't receiving all you deserve?  Well, that was what my job became.  I finally got to the point where I realized, "Stacy, get out of your comfort zone and go find what you deserve girl!"  So, I looked.  And whaddya know, I found quite a few opportunities!  I was so scared at first that I wouldn't find anything and to interview.  I mean, it had been 10 years since I did this last!  Talk about nerves!  But I ended up with not just one offer, I had choices! Completely shocked at that. I ended up with a dream job.  More than what I expected or hoped for in so many aspects.  It's a perfect fit for my family.  I'm BEYOND ecstatic!  I will miss my friends and the familiarity that ten years can provide, but it is time for something new.  Plus, you don't need a workplace to be friends!  I've already been sworn to lunches and meet ups.  Love my peeps and I would have it no other way! A huge thanks to all my family and friends who supported me through my frustration and search!  The cat was let out of the bag today, and now EVERYONE knows, not just my inner circle peeps.  This is going to be a weekend of celebrating!  God has perfect timing, and I'm so thankful for His provisions and answer to my prayers! WOOHOOO!!!!!!

Patience, it's a virtue. One I'm losing and one I need.

I've been told I'm a very patient person.  I have a rather high tolerance level for rather unpleasant things on most days.  Screaming or whining kids, I can deal pretty well for a length of time before I reach my boiling point.  Long lines, break out the blackberry and play a game.  Hypocritical ghetto beezy who pathologically lies, I laugh it off with the knowledge of the truth of said pathetic person and take the high road. Here's the thing, these last few months, my patience in a certain area has gone OUT THE WINDOW.  I'm struggling. Hard.  Because I'm struggling with patience in one specific area, I'm starting to lack in others as well.  It's a vicious cycle.  I'm lacking patience more than I ever have at this very moment. I find myself more apt to be annoyed by whining, lines, and stupid people.  Consider this a warning or a disclaimer: Kids, behave. Road ragers, stay away.  Crazy beezies, consider yourself lucky I've laughed you off and haven't turned your world upside down, it's advised to not push your luck. 

God is teaching me patience.  True patience, slowly but surely.  Until the lesson is done, steer clear! As the saying goes, "Dear God give me patience, I want it now!" Until I truly have this virtue in all areas, this will be my motto:

God, teach me to be patient, teach me to go slow,

Teach me how to wait on You when my way I do not know.

Teach me sweet forbearance when things do not go right

So I remain unruffled when others grow uptight.

Teach me how to quiet my racing, rising heart

So I might hear the answer You are trying to impart.

Teach me to let go, dear God, and pray undisturbed until

My heart is filled with inner peace and I learn to know your will.

- Helen Steiner Rice

2012

As 2011 comes to a close I think about all that it held.  There was good and bad but at the end of the day, we were blessed.  Both Belle and I had frightening health scares, but God was with us and all ended up okay.  We faced some trying times workwise, but ended up blessed there as well.  Hubby's hard work paid off, and he received a well deserved promotion.  The girl is thriving in all that she does, and makes us so proud every day with how caring and thoughtful she is.  The boy started speech and preschool, and is knocking his therapist's socks off with how smart he is and quickly he's picking things up.  Every review makes us burst with pride.  He keeps us laughing hysterically, and he's the sweetest little lover ever.  There are wonderful things on the horizon for me and mine, and we gladly embrace 2012 and are thankful for all that 2011 brought us and taught us. 

So whether you're out on the town, with a bunch of squares, or home with your most favorite people ever, happy new year!  I hope this year was kind and next year brings you all you deserve.

Smirking....because I can!

Sometimes having knowledge of something is satisfaction enough! 

What Are You Doin' New Years Eve?

Just because

I found this and am feeling sentimental.  Love my girl!

Today I am thankful...

-I have a wonderful hubby whom I adore.
-My kids are pretty freaking awesome.  They make me laugh hysterically.
-I have wonderful, supportive friends.

Nutcracker

This year Belle performed 2 parts in 3 shows of The Nutcracker.  She was a mouse and a snowball.  This was right in the middle of her hives fiasco and we weren't sure if she was going to be able to perform.  God was good though and gave her a break from the hives most of that day and she was able to dance her little heart out.  Most of the family came out to support her, and it was an extra added bonus that Auntie Amy was in town to see her too.

Sisters, miles away, but never far in my heart.

My awesome brother-in-law gave my sister an early Christmas present, a trip out here!  I was lucky enough to spend a whole day with her.  We had such a great day going to the movies, lunch, shopping, dinner and going to check out Christmas lights.  Here's a few pics of our visit to a local Christmas light extravaganza, Deacon Dave's:



Love my Sissy, and miss her already!

The stomach flu, pink eye, hives, pneumonia, bronchitis oh my!

This last month has been trying on my family healthwise.  The day after Thanksgiving the stomach flu paid us a visit.  One by one it hit us.  About a week or so later I picked up Elias from Preschool and noticed his eye had some gunk in the corner of it.  Thankfully my Mommy's intuition kicked in and I called his doctor's office just by the off chance someone was still there (it was 5:30).  Whaddaya know, they were open late that night.  An hour later he was diagnosed with the beginnings of pink eye and we had drops in hand.  I cleaned like a mad woman the next day, and 24 hours later he wasn't contagious.  Apparently it's very contagious if you don't be careful by treating it as directed or clean things off properly during those first 24 hours.  I guess we're really lucky that this is the first time we've ever had any kind of exposure to it.  He essentially had one morning of a crusty eye, and that was it.  Drops for about a week, but none of the rest of us caught it.  Thank God!  The thought alone makes my eyes itch! The week after that, I came down with a bad cold which turned into walking pneumonia and bronchitis.  Consider this a warning, try not to ever develop bronchitis as an adult.  The likelyhood of developing asthma is high and you don't want that, trust me!  Every goshdarn cold turns into an upper respiratory problem.  After a week of being on antibiotics and some strong steriods I can finally breathe. Same time Belle came down with a mysterious case of the hives.  We didn't know if she developed an allergic reaction to something or if it was just a virus.  It was extremely scary with her swelling up and not having a clue what was causing it. They would go away and then reappear for about 5 days.  Apparently 80something% of hives in kids are a virus.  Another thank-God moment, turned out to be a virus.  Needless to say, I think we took our fair share of health issues in the last month.  Thankfully everyone is currently healthy and I'm hopeful for a new year filled with good health for me and mine!  Sicky bugs, please pass us over this year!

Let the countdown begin!!

Good things are coming in 2012, and I can hardly wait!!  Roll on January!!!

Merry Christmas!

Happiest Place On Earth