heymae

Just when you think things couldn’t possibly change anymore..

12
Dec 2009

I got a job.

I know what you are thinking. “But Heather, I thought that is why you guys moved? So you could be home?!” Well, yes it was why we moved. I do not regret moving at all, but once we got here we realized a couple things. One, things were going to be tight. REALLY tight. Honestly, the budget was too tight to really work. It offered us no opportunity to really get ahead. It became apparent very quickly that one of us was going to have to find a job (in Ian’s case, a second job) to make things really work. We both looked around and applied at a bunch of places. We were both looking for something really part-time and we hoped temporary. We got absolutely no calls. NOTHING. I applied at walmart, target, all the usual suspects that usually hire additional help around the holidays. I did not even get an interview! It was really frustrating. I really felt like something was pushing me to apply for a REAL job. A more permanent job. I fought that feeling for about a week. I felt like I was in a fight with myself. I felt really strongly that I needed to go back to work, but I was not ready. I have this new baby Rocky and I cannot even think about being away from him all day. And who would pick Zane up from school? Take him to Gymnastics? No, me working would definitely not work. But I still had the feeling. The tug on my heart that this was what my family really needed. Security. Yes, staying home is wonderful and ideal for those that can afford to. Unfortunately, we are not at a place in our lives at this moment that it makes sense. And unfortunately, there are not a alot of work at home options for mothers. I felt really strongly that quitting daycare was the right move, and I still do. I have seen so many people really close to me struggle in this economy, and without going into details, I knew that me getting a job would help out a few of those people.

So, I knew this is what I had to do. I spent one night feeling really sorry for myself. I sat on the couch in the middle of the night holding Rocky and just crying. I really just let it all out. I cried for Rocky and Zane, for myself, for this crappy economy and the fact that our society is not really set up in a way that one income families are able to succeed. Let me tell you, it was one big pity party. But then I was done. I had made up my mind and that was that. The next morning I applied for a great job, one that was full-time, but also allowed me to start work early enough that I would be done by the time Zane got out of school. The job is for a great company, and it was a job that I knew I would really, really love and had the opportunity to really pay off for my family. It was perfect. I went from being bummed about having to work, to really really wanting to get this job. AND I GOT IT!! And, I havn’t even mentioned the best part- I work for the same company as Ian! We even get to play fooseball together on our breaks!

The best part about this is that I have the most amazing nanny for Zane and Rocky! My sister Rachel! She loves them almost as much as I do, knows their schedules and will even bring them to me on my lunch break so I can see them! I cannot even express how much it means to me to know that they are being safely cared for, and loved while I am away. I can take the time off to go to Zane’s classroom to volunteer, or go to field trips, and I can even be there for gymnastics practice! I started this past week and I absolutely Love It! The job is really fulfilling and the staff and work environment are absolutely amazing. I am a very lucky woman. I am very happy with how everything has worked out, and I am even happier that Rocky seems to be asleep the entire time I am at work, and then awake the rest of the evening when I am home so that I do not feel like I am missing out on all his awesomeness! I like to think that is God’s little way of making me feel better about this whole situation, and helping me to know that I made the right decision. I know not everyone will understand, but this is a really great thing for my family, and we are all really happy. It is so nice to be able to just relax and focus on my family when I get home, instead of always feeling like I was working like I did when I was doing daycare.

Things are really good right now! I am really looking forward to Christmas and New Years and just being with family and enjoying the holidays without having to be so super stressed about money anymore. I feel really, really blessed in my life right now. I am a very luck lady.