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Monday, November 26, 2012

Thankful

It's been quite a long time since I've posted. We had a really busy summer and then fall.  Filled with soccer games, soccer practices, dance, work, celebrating our 10 year anniversary, and hitting the gym to take off 18 lbs before our anniversary trip!  Life is good.  We are blessed.  Here's just a few moments we captured the last few months. Life can get crazy, but man, what a ride! I wouldn't trade it, or my 3 loves, for anything!






















Thursday, March 08, 2012

Walt

Isabelle is in the second grade.  In the beginning of the year her teacher explained that the students would be doing little speeches all year long, each one being a little longer and more difficult.  These would lead up to the mother of all speeches: a speech on someone who is deceased whom you admire and think made some kind of difference in the world.  The students would dress up as the person they chose and give the speech as that person.  Belle came home full of excitment when she heard this and told us, "I want to be Walt Disney!" She asked if we thought her teacher would allow such a thing seeing as Walt was a man and she's, well, not.  We told her to ask and assumed it wouldn't be an issue.  Her teacher advised her it was absolutely a-okay. 

All year long Belle has been talking about this.  When we went to Disneyland she made sure we visited the Animator's Studio and found as much information on Walt Disney as possible.  She never wavered from her desire to be Walt.  When I asked her why she wanted to be Walt her reply was, "He was a really nice man, he changed entertainment for families making it more fun, and he followed his dreams even though a lot of people told him they wouldn't come true.  Oh, and I think I look good in a mustache! *giggles*"

We had so much fun shopping in the boy's department for her outfit.  She giggled the whole time.  We even went and purchased a fake mustache (which you'll see in the first few pictures when she was trying things on a few days before), although she opted for a makeup mustache the day of as the fake one itched too much!  The big day came, and she looked fabulous!  I inwardly hoped she wouldn't get cold feet going to school as a boy!  But my big, brave, confident girl strutted her stuff right into the YMCA that morning (her before/after school care) without an ounce of reservation.  The director told me that she didn't even recognize her when she came in. I later received an email from her teacher telling me just how wonderfully she did.  Top it off, she received the highest grade possible!  So proud of my little Walt!  And I think she's right...she did look pretty darn good in a mustache!






Our little Spidey

Monday, February 27, 2012

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!

Friday, January 13, 2012

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!!!!!!

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

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