August 2012 - I got a job at Westwood High School. A great friend of mine got a teaching position at another school and left an IA position at Westwood wide open at a very busy time of the year. The teacher there (who is another friend's husband) called me and basically said, "If you want this position, we need someone now." I wanted the position and needed the position and so I accepted it gratefully. It was completely handed to me on a silver platter. I had felt over and over again that I needed to stay home with my kiddos over the summer...even though time was ticking and I needed to find employment. I followed that prompting and was given a job right when I needed it. Working at Westwood was so awesome! I aided in elective classes for kids with mild disabilities. I got to see them being creative and help them pass their classes by encouraging them and guiding them in self-advocacy. Along with that came a whole lot of care and patience for the kids I worked with. They are pretty special people. Here I am on a Spirit Day! Tear 'em up Westwood!!
October 2012 - Braden was baptized by his grandpa Beach. It was a great moment in our family. It was hard on Braden to pick someone to baptize him. He kept saying that the perfect choice would be his dad. But in the end, Braden knew he wanted to be baptized even if his dad couldn't be the one to do it. He and I are very grateful to a worthy and willing Grandpa to fill that role for that special time. A lot of really great people came and supported Braden and made the day extra special for him. Something that stood out to me as Braden was preparing was that he understood what he was "signing up for" (so-to-speak). He told the bishop that he would promise to "mourn with those that mourn". He explained that it meant he would help people when they are sad or in need. I love Braden's heart and his understanding that serving and loving others is a big part of following Jesus Christ's example.
November 2012 - I turned 30! It was an amazing day. I went to work and toward the afternoon was called to the front office to receive a "package". The package turned out to be a bouquet of flowers from my sweet man, Nathan! The funny thing is, he wasn't technically my man at the time. We had broken up but he still sent me flowers. The note simply said, "Happy Birthday! You're still the most beautiful woman I know, and I do love you. No matter what. -Nathan" The best part was that I knew without a doubt that he was sincere. I was giddy the entire rest of the day and my colleagues teased me about it. That evening we talked and concluded that the break-up had been productive but that ultimately we were ready to start dating again. That is another story for another post, but let me just say that to have my best friend back...and to be able to talk freely again with each other was the best feeling ever. Along with that, my sister gave me some awesome ready-mixed meal items and my parents gave me a treadmill so I could run when my kids were asleep. It was so nice.
November also brought another employment opportunity for me. Once again, I was offered work on a silver platter. A friend of mine emailed me and some others saying that since we had expressed an interest in writing, he was letting us in on a freelance copywriting opportunity through his work. I started writing campaigns in the evenings and early mornings. Pretty soon more campaigns began pouring in and I became more efficient. The job was becoming very profitable and I was happy to be able to breath a bit. I started making more writing than working at the school and began wondering if I might be able to stay home with my little bug after the school year ended. It also relieved my concerns about what I was going to do during the summer.
December 2012 - Christmas time brought such blessings to our family. Mostly I valued being able to spend quality time with the kids without the stress of work. We went to the temple lights with the whole gang. It was beautiful and busy. We also went to the snow with Darin and Chelsea and the girls. That was so much fun. I can't describe how enjoyable outings with the kids are when Nathan is involved. He is always in tune with what needs to happen and how he can lend a hand and he just does it. I am surprised over and over again that as I start to ask him to do something, he's already doing it. He's just amazing. It helps me to enjoy the time we are together even more. I celebrated Christmas with my kids on Christmas Eve this year because that is when I had them. We had a lot of fun exchanging gifts. And just like last year, an anonymous and generous friend delivered and left a whole bunch of gifts on our doorstep. It was so enjoyable to be surprised by all the hand-picked things they gave to us. My favorite and most-used gift is my watch with the world map on it's face. On Christmas evening we celebrated the Birth of Christ by singing and sharing other talents at my parents home. Those times are always the highlight of Christmas season. I always feel warm and happy.
January 2013 - For New Year's Eve, we went to the VanHorn's home and did some celebrating. It was awesome. The kids had a blast running around and dancing with the Wii and the food was amazing (as it always is at the VanHorn's). I took the kids home early-ish and then Nathan and I didn't even make it past 10:30. I guess we're old and tired. In his defense, though, he was pretty sick with the nasty cold and fever that everyone got this year.
Later in the month I decided to quit my job at Westwood. It was a really hard decision. I had planned to finish my course and stay on for the whole school year, but staying up late and waking up early every morning to write and then working all day was really taking a toll on me. And that started taking a toll on my kids. Some behavior issues and a realization that Maelee was growing up faster than I could keep up eventually led me to put in my two week notice. It was a bittersweet day. I know it was the right decision and I've had increased joy by being able to stay home with Maelee and keep on top of running my home better. I'm grateful everyday for the writing jobs that enable me to do this.
I guess this watered-down version of the last several months is going to have to do for now. To put it in a nutshell, life has been really great and as I look back, I can see so many times that the Lord has guided my footsteps and blessed my life. I didn't earn it, but He is there anyway. And I'm so grateful.
